MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2026
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- 3 minutes ago
- 7 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2026
Previews: Spoken Word and Young Voices, The Lightning Thief - The Percy Jackson Musical plus Census at the Coliseum.
Review: The Roth Guitar Trio at TLC.
Spoken Word and Young Voices
Preview by Steve Cooke
Spoken Word and Young Voices is an evening of poetry, spoken word, and creative energy at The Yard in Heywood designed especially for young people and their families.
Rochdale’s Poet Laureate Sammy Weaver will host the session as part of the Rochdale Creates Town of Culture programme, bringing fresh, local voices into the spotlight with young voices, from page to stage.
“Expect electrifying words, lively performances, and plenty of opportunities to hear young people share their stories.”
Youth workers will be on hand throughout the evening to ensure a safe space for everyone.
Who you’ll hear:
Alende Amisi – young Poet in Residence
Reece Williams - First Story poet
Andy Craven-Griffiths – workshops for writing and performance for all ages
Darnhill Young Poets presenting their own work
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Join in, this is more than just listening, it’s about sharing, creating, and championing creative young voices from our fabulous borough.
Whether you’re familiar with poetry or it’s your first time exploring it, you are invited to join in and feel the amazing vibe of spoken word poetry in action. Not to mention you can pick up some tips from the performers.
Delivered in partnership with Rochdale Youth Services, Rochdale Libraries, Rochdale Borough Council, and Rochdale Development Agency, and funded by Arts Council England and Flexible Funds, this event gives young voices a stage to shine.
Free to attend and open to young people and families, go along and catch the bug.
The Roth Guitar Trio at TLC
Review By Dr Joe Dawson
This captivating Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum was the 1,171st since taking over from Rochdale council in 2001.
The Roth Guitar Duo, formed by Emily Smith and Sam Rodwell in 2014 at the RNCM, has become firmly established in the UK classical guitar scene. Their diverse and engaging programmes of Renaissance pieces to new and unpublished works have captivated audiences across the UK, including multiple invitations to Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall. Their debut album Canonica has also received high praise. They aim to push the boundaries of the guitar duo format, such as with commissions from celebrated composers, they have gained a reputation as innovative and forward-thinking. This was evident in today’s wonderful recital.
Valseana by the Brazilian Sergio Assad set a peaceful mood immediately. Their guitars did not need amplification in St Mary in the Baum’s generous acoustic– their skilful technique made every nuance crystal clear. This was true of the rest of the programme: a charming eloquent three movement work, Serenade in A major Op 96 by the Classical composer Carulli.
Etude Fantasque by the influential and prolific guitar composer Ida Presti, who died prematurely in 1967, was indeed ‘fantastic’ with modern colours; plus, the elegant Fuga Elegiaca by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, which he wrote in her memory.
No 5 Andaluza and No 2 Oriental from Spanish Dances by Granados were originally for piano but became well known transcribed for other instruments and worked superbly with the duo.
Niel Gow’s Lament for the Death of his Second Wife, a traditional C18 Scottish fiddler’s plaintive tune arranged by Dan Jones, lent itself beautifully to the duo’s treatment. In sharp contrast the finale, a traditional Congolese Banaha involved re-tuned strings and mesmerising rhythms arranged by Gary Ryan, the celebrated Head of Strings at the Royal College of Music.
Captivating indeed and fully deserving the accolade of their mentor Craig Ogden as "two of the UK's brightest young stars of the guitar."
The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade 1 listed church of St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
The Lightning Thief - The Percy Jackson Musical
Preview by Steve Cooke
When 16 year old Percy Jackson discovers that he is the half-blood son of the Greek God, Poseidon, his life takes a dramatic turn as he is plunged into a world much bigger than he could possibly have imagined.
With newly-discovered powers he can’t control, a destiny he doesn’t want and a whole mythology textbook’s worth of mythical monsters on his tail, Percy must learn what it means to be a hero.
The future of the world hangs in the balance as Percy and his friends embark on an epic adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Over the past 20 years, Percy Jackson has become a worldwide phenomenon. First there was the best-selling series of books, then two incredible films and a Disney TV series. Now the adventures of Percy Jackson will burst onto the stage at HOME. It’s the perfect adventure for gods and mortals of all ages with a gripping story that shows that ‘normal’ really is a myth!\
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK champion Danny Beard joins the cast as Mr D. With a dazzling track record, Danny is set to bring his signature charisma, powerful vocals, and stage presence to the mythical world of Camp Half-Blood as the delightfully grumpy god of wine, Mr. D.
Recommended age 8+
Running time approx. 2.5 hours (including interval)
Groups - Buy 10 tickets and get the 11th ticket free.
Wednesday 11 February - Saturday 21 February
You can find HOME just off Whitworth Street West, roughly opposite the Hacienda apartments and 0.2 miles from Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink (tram) stop or 0.3 miles from Oxford Road train station.
HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN
Census at the Coliseum
Preview by Steve Cooke
In Census at the Oldham Coliseum award-winning duo Malandra Jacks introduce you to what happens when a working-class community tells its own story.
A bus ride. A bingo card. A memory you didn’t know you shared.
This is our neighbourhood, not the one in the media, but the one shaped by our stories, our laughter and our silence.
Malandra Jacks invite you into a world of spellbinding projection, real voices and unapologetic heart. Census is part theatre, part time capsule: a celebration of communities rarely seen on stage.
Funny, intimate and defiant, Census is a love letter to working-class communities, a call to remember who we are and what we carry with us, with real voices from the community from the workshop that you can take part in.
Winner of Best Performance at Manchester Culture Awards 2024
Age Guidance: 12+ (parent/guardian/carer discretion)
Duration: 1 hour no interval
Content Warnings: includes discussion of class and economic inequality, poverty and financial hardship; includes discussions around mental health including anxiety, depression, and social isolation; use of mild language/profanity.
£15, cons. £12
Thursday 05 March 2026, 19:15
Billingtons, Billingtons, 3 Ascroft Street Oldham, OL1 1HY
In addition to the performance, Malandra Jacks will be running a workshop CENSUS: A Community Meeting at The CartShaft (OL2 8AE) on Tuesday 24 February at 10.30am.
The Cartshaft Club,10 St Mary's Gate, Shaw, Oldham OL2 8AE
Book both the performance and workshop together and save 10% -- simply select the amount of tickets for each event and at it will automatically calculate at checkout at https://www.coliseum.org.uk/booking/performance?id=107401
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Rascallity Harp Duo: Alice Roberts & Kathryn Mason (both Manchester University & RNCM)
The concert series has been held at St Mary’s since 2001 and was granted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020.
Running every Wednesday, Music at Lunchtime is a weekly live classical music concert series that has been going since the 1960s. The sessions were initially run at the old Rochdale Art Gallery by the local authority, but since May 2001 have been run by volunteer-enthusiasts and artistic director, Dr Joe Dawson.
£6
Phone: Dr Joe Dawson 01706 648872
Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm - 1.30pm
St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ
Thursday, 12 February 2026
Reading group - Castleton Library and Community Centre
2nd Thursday of every month. Discover new authors and discuss different genres of books with other keen readers at our free, friendly and informal monthly meetings.
For adults.
No booking required, you can just turn up.
Free
11am - 12pm
Castleton Library, 604 Manchester Road, Rochdale OL11 3AF
Thursday, 12 February 2026
Visit Fireground Museum
Join us at Fireground this week to discover Greater Manchester's firefighting story.
Fire museum attractions are on show inside the museum including our collection of historic firefighting artefacts from the 18th century to present day, plus home-made refreshments in the new Fireground Café, and souvenirs from our fantastic new gift shop! We have a wide choice ranging from toddler to collector.
Under 4s Free, Children (aged 4-15) £6, Seniors £6, Students £6, Adults £8, Family (4 people) £24.
Phone: Fireground 01706 341219
Visit: https://www.fireground.org.uk/ Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 10am - 4pm
Thursday, 12 February 2026
Family Hub story time and singing - Wardle Library
Every Thursday. Come along for a story time and singing session at Wardle Library, with separate sessions for babies up to 18 months and young children up to 5 years old.
No need to boo, you can just come along.
Free
1.15pm–1.45pm for babies aged 0–18 months.
2pm–2.45pm for children aged 18 months–5 years.
Wardle Library, 448 Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale OL12 9LH
Friday, 13 February 2026
Reading Group - Heywood Library
Second Friday of every month. Discover new authors and discuss books with other readers in this friendly group. Books will be loaned from the library.
Free
For adults.
Booking required: places are limited, please book by emailing heywood.library@rochdale.gov.uk.
10am - 11am
Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW
Saturday, 14 February 2026
Lego Club - Littleborough Library
For families with children aged 2 years and above. Lego club sessions are aimed at children aged 5–12 and their parents or carers. Duplo is available for younger children.
Each session, the children will be given a theme, followed by time to let their imaginations run wild and build.
No need to book, you can just come along
Free
11am - 12pm
Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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