‘Help us get Liam and Noel back’ as ‘Heartbroken’ charity appeals for return of Oasis artwork taken from theatre

Friday, 18 July 2025 14:32

By Chris Gee

Two pieces of artwork portraying the Gallagher brothers have been taken from the outside of a small theatre close to Heaton Park.

Volunteers at the Prestwich and District Operatic Society (PADOS) studio theatre, a charity based in St Mary’s Road, Prestwich said they were ‘hearbroken’ on Friday morning to find the depictions of Liam and Noel Gallagher, installed on outside windows, had been taken.

The group said the two panels had been ‘lovingly painted for us’ by ‘one of our amazing volunteers’ to celebrate the five homecoming Oasis shows taking place nearby. The paintings, which were to be auctioned off to raise money for the theatre group, show Noel strumming an acoustic guitar and Liam in his familiar ‘chin up to the microphone’ singing stance.

In a post of Facebook the group said ‘no questions would be asked’ if the pieces were returned. The post, said: “Sadly, someone has taken the beautiful artwork that our amazing volunteer, Claire Lyons, lovingly painted for us.
“These pieces were not just art — they were made to be auctioned off to raise vital funds for our little theatre.

“As many of you know, we’re a small charity doing our best to bring creativity and community together. “We’re kindly asking ‘please return the artwork, no questions asked’.

“Please share this far and wide so we can get Liam and Noel back where they belong, on the windows of PADOS theatre. “Thank you for your support.”

PADOS dates back to November 1887, after merging with the Glee club in Prestwich.

The society features an adult group, who perform two or three plays each season and a grand musical production held at Bury Met Theatre.

It has a junior group (ages 7-11) and a youth group (ages 12 to 18).

All of the groups have an aim to ‘rise to the challenge of emulating the success of West End hit shows and groundbreaking new-wave theatre’.

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