Oldham Coliseum Theatre, in association with Not Too Tame, has announced full casting for its site-specific revival of Jim Cartwright’s festive play A Christmas Fair. The immersive production will be staged at Chadderton Town Hall from 17 December to 2 January, embracing the theatre’s current £10m refurbishment.
Joining previously announced cast members John Henshaw, Samantha Robinson and Dickon Tyrrell are Kelise Gordon-Harrison and Paddy Stafford. The final two roles were cast following open auditions, reflecting Not Too Tame’s commitment to creating professional opportunities for every production.
Directed by Jimmy Fairhurst, Artistic Director of Not Too Tame, A Christmas Fair will be presented in the company’s signature style of energising, popular theatre. The creative team also includes Associate Director Kayleigh Hawkins, Designer Jen McGinley, Lighting Designer Benny Goodman, Sound Designer Jack Baxter, Movement Director Annie-Lunette Deakin-Foster, and Musical Supervisor & Composer Benjamin Holder.
First premièred in 2012, A Christmas Fair is a love letter to village life. It tells the hilarious and heart-wrenching stories of five characters amidst the buzz and festive mayhem of setting up the annual fair in the days before Christmas.
Young love might be in the air, the vicar’s distracted, Veronica is rallying her troops to keep things on track, and the caretaker just wants to go home. Will romance blossom? Will secrets be revealed? Or will the Christmas fair go with a bang…?
The cast features Kelise Gordon-Harrison as Lucy, John Henshaw as Caretaker, Samantha Robinson as Veronica, Paddy Stafford as Johnny, and Dickon Tyrrell as Vicar.
Following their sell-out production of Twelfth Night with Les Dennis at Shakespeare North Playhouse, which saw 38% new attendees to live theatre, Not Too Tame continues to champion regional identity and community engagement.
Jimmy Fairhurst said: “I’ve always believed theatre should be fearless, fun and rooted in the lives of everyday people. Being invited to be part of Oldham Coliseum’s history is a delight and working with Jim Cartwright – the Paul McCartney of theatre – is an honour. His plays told me as a young man that this industry could be for me. It’s my responsibility now to make sure that my work does the same for others. His words sing with humour, grit and humanity, and directing his work at Christmas feels incredibly special.”
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
