Giant of a show!

DAZZLING aerial silk performers who will be suspended from a crane

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OLDHAM'S sleeping giant will be awakened in the most spectacular outdoor show ever hosted in the borough to celebrate the Old Town Hall Cinema opening.

Oldham Council has revealed details of Friday's highly-anticipated public opening event - a unique free family show called 'On the Shoulders of Giants' that can be enjoyed from the new public space at Parliament Square.

Featuring projections, giant puppets, acclaimed actors and aerial performers, it takes its inspiration from a local legend of the Oldham Giant - 6ft 7in tall and 37-stone Joseph Scholes, who died in 1814 - who will wake from his slumber in the crypts of Oldham Parish Church.

Parking

Details of parking facilities have also been released, with cinema-goers advised to park at Town Square shopping centre - accessed on Ascroft Street - where you can get your ticket validated at the cinema or restaurants and pay £2 for up to a maximum four-hour stay between 9am and 6pm. Parking there is free after 6pm until 3am when the car park closes. The offer does not apply to the Spindles car park.

There's also up to three hours of free town centre parking on weekends at council-owned sites. Find out more at: oldham.gov.uk/parking.

Friday's showcase starts at 7.30pm with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event with Jim McMahon, Oldham West and Royton MP, before 'On the Shoulders of Giants' gets under way, running until about 8.15pm.

Rebirth

The story to celebrate the rebirth of the iconic civic building and the end of the town centre's 30-year wait for a cinema is written by Sarah Nelson.

Oldham Arts Development has woven together spellbinding light projections from Illuminos, a six-metre-tall illuminated giant puppet created by Handmade Parade, local actors and musicians - plus dazzling aerial silk performers from Upswing suspended from a crane high above the crowd - to make it a night to remember.

As some of the first Odeon guests then enter the building to watch a film, the Oldham Giant will continue strolling around Parliament Square with music and projections onto the Old Town Hall façade continuing until about 11pm.

The fun and thrills continue after opening night with a full weekend of events in Parliament Square - including an array of live music, street performances and movie-themed entertainment - offering something for all generations.

Special

Oldham Council Leader Councillor Jean Stretton said: "The opening of the Old Town Hall is a massive moment for Oldham - so we were determined to deliver a very special family event.

"We've worked hard to create a real spectacle with this show, the likes of which I don't believe our town centre has ever seen before, so that we can celebrate the restoration of the Old Town Hall as a symbol of civic pride with a show that is uniquely about Oldham.

"This will be a visually stunning experience with 3D projections onto the Old Town Hall's front façade, a six-metre-tall giant, aerial acrobatics, and performances from local actors.

"The story is being told by some very special local actors and guests, including Olivia Cooke and Mina Anwar, plus comedian Bobby Ball and musician Clint Boon. It also has a specially-created music score from James Atherton of Oldham Theatre Workshop and a live solo performance from Oldham violinist Faz Shah.

"The story is about a small girl who, when raised on the shoulders of a giant, finds that she can see much further - and that she can also see a brighter future for herself and her town.

"This will capture and inspire your imagination when you see it brought to life - and I hope as many people as possible will come along to witness this amazing free show."

The public are advised to arrive early for the opening event and use public transport, whenever possible.

On Saturday, Parliament Square will host a Celebration of the Silver Screen event from 11am to 4pm with movie cars and themed performers, plus the best in local music.

'Birth of the Boulevard' then comes to the venue on Sunday to relive the swinging sixties with special musical performances, plus the best in brass and street and local youth bands.

For more information about the events visit visitoldham.com.