A Different Way Home at Oldham Coliseum

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
A Different Way Home at Oldham Coliseum
Oldham Coliseum Theatre

A Different Way Home at Oldham Coliseum, Manchester 31 January — 9 February 2019 Tickets from £17.00 — Book now

Following the huge success of  The Father at Oldham Coliseum in 2017, and for which he won the accolade of Best Actor 2017 from the Manchester Theatre Awards, we’re delighted that Kenneth Alan Taylor returns to the Coliseum in A Different Way Home.

Written by Jimmie Chinn, A Different Way Home is a perceptive, yet deeply emotive play, made up of two monologues, in which a brother and sister, Leslie and Maureen, living somewhere on the outskirts of Manchester tell the same powerful narrative, only from two wildly different viewpoints.

Leslie, who has lived with his mother all of his life, depicts the events leading up to her death and unwittingly reveals the extent of his grief and anger towards his sister. Maureen, on the other hand,  reveals a different story of isolation, betrayal and loss. Together the two voices convey the need for families to reach out towards communication, and for love and understanding to transcend prejudice.

Originally A Different Way Home was written as a short audio production before it was televised by Granada Television in front of a small studio audience. The play was so well received that it was extended into a double bill which premiered on Oldham Coliseum’s stage in 1998. The play was a phenomenal success with the Northern audience, winning Best New Play, and Roy Barraclough winning Best Actor in the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards.

Interestingly Kenneth Alan Taylor directed the world premiere of A Different Way Home at Oldham Coliseum back in 1998. Now over twenty years later, Taylor will step into Roy Barraclough’s shoes and take on the parts of both siblings, Leslie and Maureen. Of this opportunity, Taylor said, “This is one of my favourite plays. Jimmie Chinn is on a par in this piece with Alan Bennet in Talking Heads. He has an amazing insight into Northern working class people.”

Taylor’s performance as Andre in The Father was nothing short of tremendous – we absolutely cannot wait to see how he approaches this powerful piece of writing. Three words. Take some tissues.

 

A Different Way Home at Oldham Coliseum, Manchester 31 January — 9 February 2019 Tickets from £17.00 Book now

Where to go near A Different Way Home at Oldham Coliseum

Oldham
Event venue
Hack Oldham

Hack Oldham is an event space that also offers co-working, community groups and crafting in the heart of Oldham.

Gallery Oldham, in Oldham Cultural Quarter
Manchester
Museum
Gallery Oldham

Gallery Oldham provides a wide range of exhibitions and activities targeted at different audiences of all ages within Oldham and the surrounding area.

The Yoga Seed Oldham
Manchester
The Yoga Seed Oldham

The Yoga Seed is an intimate studio just outside of Oldham town centre. Run by Sharon it offers small classes including a men only class.

Photo of Stonerig Raceway tracks from above
Manchester
Tourist Attraction
Stonerig Raceway

Stonerig Raceway in Oldham has seven Scalextric tracks – making for a very unusual day out in Manchester.

Liverpool
Hotel
Epic Apart Hotel

The Epic Apart Hotel offers 14 serviced apartments – and is bang-slap in the middle of the Ropewalks district, right behind FACT.

Theatre
Middleton Arena

The Arena has a regular programme of arts and entertainment including live music, concerts, comedy and dances with stage shows and national tours. With two licensed bars this is the perfect location for a great night out.

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