Families flock to curtain-raiser

PIRATES of the Caribbean . . . Loz Copping as Jack Sparrow meets (left) Billy Jackson (8) and Carson Jackson (4)

3 More Image(s) In Gallery

Scroll down for Video

A FULL weekend of entertainment ensued to mark the grand opening of Oldham's new cinema.

Saturday and Sunday were jam-packed with events for all the family as Oldhamers flocked to see the transformed Old Town Hall.

The Celebration of the Silver Screen involved a large-scale tribute to films from across the decades.

Lookalike actors Charlie Chaplain, Marilyn Monroe and Captain Jack Sparrow grabbed the attention of visitors to Parliament Square.

Swank Street Theatre performers Cathy Peace and Polly Jackson kept children and adults alike entertained with impersonation games.

The interactive comedy pair from the London-based firm wore silver shoes and over-sized head pieces and handed out prizes for talent.

Adults were asked to attempt an impression of an actor or actress while children were asked to sing songs, dance or tell a joke.

Founder Ms Peace, who donned a pink and lime green dress, said: "We come to Oldham every year and love visiting.

"It has been a real laugh - everyone is up for joining in. There is a lot of excitement because of the new cinema."

Hours of music was heard from the bandstand as members of 16 Oldham Music Centre groups filled the square with melodies.

Subject leader for woodwind Kath Dunning said: "Children as young as 10 performed in the intermediate to youth-level bands.

"We had swing bands as well as a wind ensemble and orchestra.

"The audience seemed very favourable.

"We didn't know what the weather was going to be like but it turned out to be a lovely day."

Failsworth-based Angela Crichton (49), who plays the cornet in the adult wind band, said: "It is good fun getting together.

"There are around 40 of us in the wind section - we practise every week and we love playing."

Well-known movie tunes such as You've Got a Friend in Me, Les Miserables and Gold Finger resounded from the stage.

A Cliff Hanger Silent Movie street show, James Bond comedy show and Oldham Youth Choir wowed audiences.

Loz Copping (45) impressed residents with his Jack Sparrow act, dressing in pirate attire complete with braided hair.

An Act Above stilt performers and The Red Carpet Lady also made appearances. The merriment continued into Sunday with performances from The Threetles and Two Left Feet.

But the show-stopper was the Odeon iSense, with hundreds of visitors seizing the opportunity to watch as film at the state-of-the-art venue.

• Were you at the opening weekend? Check out all our ODEON pictures on our picture sales page.