repertory theatres; Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel
performed there in the early 20th century, and contemporary actors such as
Ralph Fiennes and Minnie Driver, among others, have appeared more recently. In
the 19th century, the circus was a popular entertainment in Oldham, with Pablo
Fanque's circus, a regular visitor to town, filling a 3000-seat amphitheatre on
Tommyfield in 1869. Criticised for its lack of a cinema, there are plans to
develop an "Oldham West End". Oldham has a thriving bar and night
club culture, attracting a significant number of young people into the town
centre. Oldham's "hard binge drinking culture" has been criticised
however for conveying a negative regional image of the town.The annual Oldham
Carnival started around 1900, although the tradition of carnivals in the town
goes back much further, providing a "welcomed respite from the tedium of
everyday life". The carnival parade was always held in mid-to-late summer,
with the primary aim of raising money for charities. It often featured local
dignitaries or popular entertainers, in addition to brass, military and jazz
bands, the Carnival Queen, people in fancy dress, dancers and decorated floats
from local churches and businesses. Whenever possible, local people who had
attained national celebrity status were invited to join the cavalcade. The carnival's
route began in the town centre, wound its way along King Street, and ended with
a party in Alexandra Park.
The carnival fell out of favour in the late
1990s but was resurrected by community volunteers in 2006 and rebranded the
Peoples Carnival. The parade was moved into Alexandra Park in 2011. The event
hosts live stages and other activities alongside a parade in the park
