Our Day Out: The Musical at the Oldham Coliseum Review
Our Day Out: The Musical
Oldham Coliseum, Oldham
5-27 September 2014
Reviewed by Debbie Tasker
I do remember the original screening of Willy Russell’s play Our Day Out aired by the BBC in 1977. I watched with my mum and have done on many occasions over the years, so when the opportunity arose to review the musical at the Oldham Coliseum version I was over the moon.
Russell’s credits include Shirley Valentine, Blood Brothers and Educating Rita, indeed a very impressive list and Our Day Out is up there with these well-known favourites. The musical was first performed in 1983 with songs and music by Willy Russell and Bob Eaton and was updated in 2012. I didn’t realise until the show began it was set in the here and now. As a child of the 70’s I was looking forward to a bit of nostalgia so was a little apprehensive when the cast burst on at it became obvious. I needn’t have worried I absolutely loved every minute of this first class musical.
Mrs Kays “progress class” are off on a trip. Alton Towers is their planned destination but as Deputy Headmaster Mr Briggs points out Fairbottom Street High are no longer welcome there after last year’s antics. So off they go to Wales instead much to the dismay of the pupils. Cue some high spirited teenagers running riot around a service station, zoo and Conwy Castle. From lining up and boarding the bus until unhappy Amy leaves the stage to walk home to her dysfunctional family you are swept along with this funny and heart-warming story of unruly under privileged kids having fun and forgetting everything for a day.
Kevin Shaw directs fantastically. Every scene is brilliant and there are no dull moments. Songs and spoken parts flow into each other and Beverley Edmunds choreography along with some of the cast joining the band on numerous occasions gives them all a chance to show just how multi-talented they are.
Mrs Kays character is played exceptionally well by Clair Storey, she is very believable as a teacher who really does care about her remedial class both in and out of school. Grumpy spoil sport Mr Briggs (who isn’t as bad as we think) is portrayed marvellously by Russell Richardson. Kieran Cunningham as Les/Ronny/Zoo keeper is great too. There are 9 professional actors and the rest of the cast is made up of Oldham Theatre workshop, I have nothing but praise for these amazingly talented youngsters. From the brashy flirty girls, the somewhat camp boy, the very bored and everything is rubbish teens and my favourites the class idiots and bit of lad (Digga and Reilly who both had me in fits of laughter) they all play the adolescents we recognise in ourselves or ones we have come across amazingly.
Our Day Out is a show not to be missed. I give it a very well deserved 5*.
Oldham Coliseum is hidden away in a little back street but is very well signposted once you get in to the area. There are lots of car parks and the nearest one is a minute’s walk from the theatre (£3 for the evening). It is quite a small theatre which gives an intimate feel and seating is spacious. Staff were helpful and friendly and prices were reasonable (£1 for a bottle of water).
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £11 to £19.50
Our Day Out: The Musical is at the Oldham Coliseum until Saturday 27 September 2014. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0161 624 2829.
Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Fairbottom Street, Oldham, OL1 3SW | 0161 624 2829
