Oh What A Lovely War at Oldham Coliseum

Andrew Anderson

Oh What A Lovely War at Oldham Coliseum, Manchester 8 — 30 September 2017 Tickets from £15.50 - 22.50 — Book now

First, a confession: I only really became aware of Joan Littlewood’s legacy last year when I saw one-woman show Joan, Babs & Shelagh Too, which documented her entire career. But that one piece had me hooked and I’ve been fascinated by her singular approach to theatre making ever since.

Now her most famous work Oh What A Lovely War is coming to Oldham Coliseum, performed by a cast of actor-musicians. Devised by Littlewood and her Theatre Workshop troupe, it’s an anarchic look at the conformity created by armies and the horrors experienced by ordinary people at war.

The power of the piece is that it tells the story from the soldiers’ perspective, making use of songs sung during World War I like It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, Keep the Home Fires Burning and of course Oh What a Lovely War. First performed in 1963, it won a Tony Award when it transferred to Broadway in 1965 and was made into a film directed by Richard Attenborough in 1969.

On the centenary of Passchendaele, one of the worst battles of the WWI, this is an amazing insight into how people cope in a crisis, and a timely reminder of why war should always be avoided at all costs.

Oh What A Lovely War at Oldham Coliseum, Manchester 8 — 30 September 2017 Tickets from £15.50 - 22.50 Book now

What's on at Oldham Coliseum

Where to go near Oh What A Lovely War 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.

Liverpool
Hotel
Epic Apart Hotel

The Epic Apart Hotel offers 14 serviced apartments – and right righin 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.

What's on: Theatre

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

Good Fridaze Family Social at Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we edge towards spring we take a look at the best events and activities for families, from theatre to festivals, dinosaur adventures to family raves.

Poet Evan Jones
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting production still
Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of  washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.