Lemn Sissay: Something Dark at Oldham Coliseum

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Lemn Sissay presents Something Dark

Oldham Coliseum, Manchester
25 January 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Poet Lemn Sissay.
Poet Lemn Sissay.
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If you missed his recent performances at HOME, Chester Literature Festival and so on and so forth, in the new year, Lemn Sissay reprises his award-winning one-man play Something Dark in the boroughs.

Exploring identity and our place in the world, this is a moving and powerful one-hander in which the now fifty-year-old Lemn tells his real-life story of being brought up in children’s homes and foster care in Wigan, and how he embarked on the search for his blood family, who hailed from Ethiopia.

Originally directed by Manchester International Festival CEO John McGrath for National Theatre of Wales (commissioned by Contact Theatre and Battersea Arts Centre), Something Dark is a dramatic piece that has been performed around the world to critical acclaim and which was adapted for broadcast on BBC Radio 3 a couple of years back.

The event in Oldham also includes a Q&A session with the celebrated performance poet and charismatic broadcaster (not to mention Chancellor at the University of Manchester), whose collection of new selected poems, Gold from the Stone, is out now on Canongate – so start thinking up some good questions!

 

Where to go near Lemn Sissay: Something Dark at Oldham Coliseum

Oldham
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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
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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.

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George Street Chapel

This beautifully restored former Independent Methodist Chapel in the heart of Oldham is as much a creative hub as a heritage landmark.

The Yoga Seed Oldham
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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.

Chadderton Town Hall
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Chadderton Town Hall

Chadderton Town Hall is a magnificent example of Edwardian architecture . Built in 1912/13 in the style of ‘English Renaissance’ and recently restored maintaining its traditional features in regal reds

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Epic Apart Hotel

The Epic Apart Hotel offers 14 serviced apartments – and right righin the middle of the Ropewalks district, right behind FACT.

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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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