Oldham Coliseum Theatre is auditioning for talented young people to join the cast on stage for this year’s pantomime, Robin Hood.

The theatre is seeking three pairs of young actors, made up of both boys and girls, aged between 9 - 12 who will play the Babes in the Wood and three teams of boys and girls aged between 9 – 15 who have dance ability and love working as part of a team to form the pantomime’s Chorus. Both groups will perform alongside the Coliseum’s professional actors including the theatre’s beloved Pantomime Dame Richard J Fletcher and Shorelle Hepkin (2021 nominee for the UK Pantomime Association Award for Best Principal Boy) playing Robin Hood.

Auditions for the Babes will take place on the evening of Wednesday 21 September. There is no need to prepare anything in advance but places must be booked. The session will include a drama workshop and some movement. The closing date for registrations for Babe auditions is 10am on Friday 16 September.

Download further information on auditions for Babes

Auditions for the Chorus will take place on Sunday 18 September. There is no need to prepare anything in advance but places must be booked. Auditionees should attend in dancewear with trainers and soft dance shoes. The closing date for registrations for Chorus auditions is 10am on Wednesday 14 September.

Download further information on auditions for Chorus

If chosen to join the pantomime, rehearsals will be up to three sessions a week for Babes and up to four sessions a week for Chorus from Monday 17 October – Saturday 5 November plus longer sessions during the week of Monday 7 November. Each young person will need to have approximately six full days and a half day off school for performances between Saturday 12 November and Saturday 7 January.

To book a place, please email the Coliseum’s Administrator Rebecca Howarth at rebeccahowarth@coliseum.org.uk who will send you an online registration form to complete. Auditions slots for both roles will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. 

Pantomime is the biggest show of the year at the Coliseum, attracting audiences of 35,000 people. The Coliseum’s production is nationally renowned; it won best Costume Design at the UK Pantomime Association Awards and was described in 2021 as ‘breathless and brilliant’ by The Guardian and ‘a show that any venue would be proud of’ by the Manchester Evening News.

With the perfect blend of slapstick, silliness, hit songs and panto magic, Robin Hood is right on target for the perfect festive family treat. Join Robin and his band of Merry Men on the arrow-shooting, thigh-slapping adventure of a lifetime.

Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s annual pantomime has been entertaining families of Oldham and beyond for generations. Joining the pantomime’s chorus is an amazing opportunity for young aspiring performers to take part in a professional, fun-filled and much-loved theatre tradition.