Free immersive adventure trail is heading to Oldham parks

Stand and Be Counted Theatre and Oldham Coliseum Theatre has announced details of Secret Summer - a completely free, immersive audio adventure for the whole family.

The events take place in Oldham's Alexandra Park and Shaw's Dunwood Park over the August bank holiday weekend.

The adventures will run every half an hour each day from 12-3pm.

Together with Oldham-based Stand and Be Counted, Oldham Coliseum Theatre will turn two parks into immersive adventure trails, with a project originally co-created with children seeking sanctuary (refugees, asylum seekers and new migrants).

In Secret Summer, families will join characters Squirrel, Butterflies, Unicorn and The Beetles for an exciting roam through Alexandra Park and Dunwood Park, in an original story created by Syrian writer, Anan Tello.

Using the geolocated sound app Echoes, downloadable from Apple Store or Google Play, families will be guided around the park by binaural narration, encountering real-life surprises along the way, to uncover the secrets of the park.

Booking is not required, and the event and app are completely free.

Secret Summer is available in English and Arabic.

After enjoying Secret Summer, there’s the opportunity for a special selfie with the Secret Summer selfie frames.

The Secret Summer activity pack will also be available for families to download and enjoy anytime they visit either park.

This announcement follows the news that Oldham Council was successful in its proposal to Arts Council England to secure funding to deliver a cultural programme across the borough between now and the opening of the planned new theatre building in 2026.

Oldham Coliseum Theatre will receive £450,000 from this funding to specifically produce, commission, create, deliver, and develop a new business model.

Duncan Craig, chairman of Oldham Coliseum Theatre, said: “Building on Chris Lawson’s legacy, our previous CEO/Artistic Director, this is the first step in a new chapter for the Coliseum.

“As I have previously said, we are fully committed to working with a whole load of partners in Oldham and beyond to deliver high quality theatrical experiences for local audiences in Oldham and inviting theatre goers from across Greater Manchester to join us, as we start reimagining our organisation from the ground up.

“I genuinely can’t wait to experience Secret Summer with communities in Oldham and I will be there in the park as a volunteer with others, so please come say hi, it's going to be great!”

Rosie MacPherson, artistic director and joint CEO at SBC Theatre, added: “We’re really excited to bring the Secret Summer adventure to Oldham.

“We are incredibly proud of this project, which we co-created with your Youth Theatre of Sanctuary - young people from around the world between 3-15 who now call the UK their home.

“Their talent, innovation and creativity is incredibly inspiring, and we can’t wait to see what audiences at Alexandra and Dunwood parks think of it.

"Bring your adventurous side!”

Arooj Shah, leader of Oldham Council, also said: “It’s exciting to see Oldham Coliseum Theatre working with Oldham-based Stand and Be Counted to bring fun for families to enjoy over the Bank Holiday Weekend.

“The funding Oldham Coliseum Theatre received is part of the £1.8m funding Oldham Council secured from Arts Council England, and we're so pleased to see it put to good use.

"The Arts are part of our heritage in Oldham and we want to see more arts and cultural events and activities across the borough, not just this year but for the next three years.

"The funding will deliver just that, while the work to build the new theatre is well underway.

“I’m also delighted that our parks take centre stage for these events – we have more than 30 in the borough, and I encourage everyone to visit their local parks and green spaces.”

Secret Summer is kindly supported by Oldham Council and Arts Council England.

It was commissioned by The Space and Theatre in the Mill, with funding from Arts Council England and supported by The Montgomery Theatre in Sheffield.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.