Three famous alumni from Oldham’s renowned Oldham Theatre Workshop returned to visit the organisation’s soon-to-be new home.
Millie Gibson, Seb Lowe and Noah Valentine were back where it all began to see the fantastic work taking place to transform the Old Library – where Oldham Theatre Workshop will be based in its own purpose-built space.
The talented trio all studied together at the leading theatre and performing arts school and have gone on to have amazing careers with Millie currently playing Dr Who’s companion, Seb headlining sell-out gigs and festivals and Noah most-recently starring in Waterloo Road.
They were joined by Leader of Oldham Council, Cllr Arooj Shah, who spoke about the project to restore the iconic Old Library building and bring it back into public use after previously being derelict.
Cllr Shah said: “This building holds so many memories for Oldhamers because it gave people opportunities, no matter what their background.
“We have so much heritage in Oldham and as a council we have a fantastic record of protecting our historic buildings to make sure they live on for future generations.
“I’m delighted that Oldham Theatre Workshop will have a new home here and that so many more young people like Millie, Seb and Noah – who have gone on to do great things – will have those opportunities too. Their success is really inspirational and we’re hugely proud of them.”
Millie said: “Oldham Theatre Workshop means the world to me. It’s incredible that they have this new home and a new space to excel. It will be so beautiful when it’s done.”
Seb said: “A great deal of the reason I do what I do is because of Oldham Theatre Workshop. It’s great that they’re going to have this new space, where they can keep doing what they’re doing – because it’s so, so important.”
Noah said: “Oldham Theatre Workshop has been my family since I was 11 and it feels like a second home. It’s going to be a great place for the youth of Oldham and the next generation – a space that’s so personal, at the centre of Oldham, that’s full of heart.”
The Grade II listed Old Library is just metres from Oldham Theatre Workshop’s previous home.
The building has undergone an extensive external and internal restoration to return it to its original Victorian glory.
Set over several floors, it is due to open next summer. In addition to Oldham Theatre Workshop on the ground floor, it will also include additional gallery space for Gallery Oldham, a new Council Chamber, council offices and spaces for community use and public meetings.
The restoration is being carried out by Tilbury Douglas on behalf of Oldham Council.
For more information on Oldham Theatre Workshop, visit oldhamtheatreworkshop.co.uk
