Chris Lawson appointed Oldham Coliseum’s new Chief Executive

Oldham Coliseum has announced that Chris Lawson, the theatre’s current Artistic Director, is also becoming the iconic venue’s new Chief Executive.

Mr Lawson joined Oldham Coliseum as Associate Director in 2015 from the Almeida Theatre in London, becoming Artistic Director in 2018.

Since joining the Coliseum, he has overseen co-productions with the likes of Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Hull Truck, York Theatre Royal and Salisbury Playhouse, and led the theatre’s innovative and impactful digital output during the pandemic, including a co-commission with HOME, Manchester.

He has also overseen a series of Micro Commissions and an interactive online production, launched new initiatives such as the annual Cultivate Festival, which welcomes 300 artists to Oldham for a week of workshops, talks and opportunities covering all areas of theatre-making; and directed acclaimed productions of such varied plays as Martin McDonagh’s A Skull in Connemara, James Fritz’s Four Minutes Twelve Seconds, Maxine Peake’s Beryl and the Coliseum’s annual pantomime, which in 2022-23 is Robin Hood.

Mr Lawson’s appointment, and the new season announcement (more to be revealed on Monday), come following the recent news that the Coliseum will no longer be part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio from April 2023.

Other changes to the leadership team include Susan Wildman, the current Chief Executive, leaving the organisation by mutual consent, and Jan O’Connor stepping down as the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

The trustees have placed on record their thanks to Susan for all her hard work during her four years as Chief Executive and her previous years’ service as a Trustee and Deputy Chair, and to Jan for her committed service as the Chair over the last two years.

The Board are currently addressing this situation, informed by Arts Council England’s feedback, and are working with Mr Lawson to put in place strong foundations for the future of the Coliseum.

The change in the Coliseum’s leadership is being further enhanced by the addition of several new Trustees to the Board, who bring with them a wide and complementary range of skills and experience from the corporate finance, marketing and communications, performing arts and charitable sectors.

Mr Lawson, Artistic Director and new Chief Executive, said: “We have a difficult but exciting job ahead of us, and I’m committed to working with the Board and the Coliseum’s dedicated and amazing staff and volunteers to shape a future for the theatre that builds on our enduring dedication to create work for and with the people of Oldham.

"I’m honoured that the Board has expressed its confidence that I can lead the company into its next phase, and I’m proud to take on the combined role of Artistic Director and Chief Executive at the Coliseum.

"The new season of work we have announced has been in the planning for six months.

"After an unavoidable delay, it will be my pleasure finally be able to share it with our audiences.”

A joint statement from the Oldham Coliseum Theatre Board of Trustees added: “The Board of Trustees have been working hard in recent weeks to ensure the Company’s stability following Arts Council England’s decision not to include the Coliseum in its National Portfolio from April 2023.

"While ACE’s decision represents a significant loss of income, we believe there are ways to create an exciting future for the Coliseum, and that now is the right time for Chris Lawson to take on the additional responsibilities of Chief Executive in order to lead the company forward.

"Chris has excelled as Artistic Director since taking over from Kevin Shaw in 2018, and the Spring 2023 season of ambitious, engaging and relevant shows only exemplifies this.

"We have every confidence that his appointment as Chief Executive puts the Coliseum in a strong position to continue bringing exceptional theatre to the people of Oldham and beyond for many years to come.”

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