MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- Aug 13
- 7 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 13 AUGUST 2025
ELEVATION IS BACK!
Preview by Steve Cooke
Following a highly successful and very popular 6 week run, Elevation is back!
Elevation is the immersive journey along the scenic route of Blackstone Edge, using binaural sound, which creates an “audio 3D effect”, to tell tales of those who walked this land before us, and encouraging audiences to take a moment to listen deeply to the sounds of Rochdale in the distance.
Created and delivered by the excellent, innovative Rochdale-based production company, Breaking Barriers, Elevation is an invitation to embark upon a creative guided tour across the flatlands of Blackstone Edge, whilst listening to the mother of the moorlands on a pair of headphones. Although you’ll be listening individually, you’ll experience the journey as a collective together.
You are invited to go on a pilgrimage along the ancient path, as you make your way through timeless landscapes and stories from the Romans to the Radical Rochdalians.
Watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP9FAvsjyNI
Performances are continuing to run Wednesday 13th August, Thursday 14th August, Friday 15th August & Saturday 16th August 2025.
Starting from The White House, Halifax Road Littleborough OL15 0LG
Free
Access Information:
Elevation is an audio tour across the moors of Blackstone Edge. You will be required to wear a pair of headphones (provided by us) and listen to the piece whilst following a tour guide. It is an accessible project, with our route created with the needs of all abilities. The land is flat and wheelchair accessible, and our Access Consultant has checked the route with us to ensure that we follow a gravel path. The pace of the route will be slow and led by guides wearing high-vis jackets. There are planned breaks to catch your breath and take in the views. There are no toilets on the route. The entire journey lasts no more than 50 minutes.
Dogs are welcome on leads.
Bookers will meet at the carpark of the White House Pub, Blackstone Edge, Halifax Rd, Littleborough, OL15 0LG.
Elevation has been made possible by support from The Pennines Township Fund, Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency as part of Rochdale’s Place Partnership project funded by Arts Council England.
SÉANCE AT HOME
Preview by Steve Cooke
Step inside a shipping container transformed into a Victorian séance room for an unbelievable experience with Darkfield at HOME.
SÉANCE transforms the interior of a shipping container into a Victorian séance room. Over 20 minutes it explores the psychology of a group of people, and asks that they believe in what might be conjured up into the room with them…
Box Office 0161 200 1500
Restaurant 0161 212 3500
Warning: Complete darkness - may not be suitable for those with claustrophobia.
Age 14+
Wed 10 Sep - Sun 21 Sep
HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place Manchester M15 4FN.
ABOUT DARKFIELD
DARKFIELD produces innovative immersive experiences at the forefront of technology and theatre - both location based experiences and digital work. DARKFIELD’s work utilises striking sets and shipping containers, binaural 360 degree sound, complete darkness and a variety of sensory effects, where each participant is situated at the centre of intense, evolving narratives. The shows have launched to critical acclaim, featuring in major film festivals such as BFI London Film Festival, Venice, IDFA, Tribeca, Raindance, SXSW and in 2021 won Columbia’s Digital Storytelling Lab’s Breakthrough Award in recognition of the year’s most innovative narrative. Alongside partners around the world, DARKFIELD has toured work in the UK, Australia & New Zealand, US & Canada, South Korea, Taiwan and Mexico and have so far reached over 600,000 audience members worldwide, and counting.
“WE WILL NOT PREY UPON THE PARANOID, THE BEREAVED, THE CREDULOUS, THE WIDE-EYED, THE WEAK... IN RETURN WE ASK YOU PROCEED WITH AN OPEN-MIND. SÉANCE IS AN ENTERTAINMENT ONLY AND WE CANNOT HOLD THE MEDIUM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OUTCOME.”
Voci Voices made a welcome return to TLC with a feast of singing.
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
This Toad Lane concert at St Mary in the Baum was the 1,147th since taking over from the council in 2001. The prize-winning troupe, Voci Voices made a welcome return with a feast of singing for all to enjoy. There was an international flavour too, with the performers’ roots in Poland, Ghana, Scotland, and Wales, accompanied by English pianist Jonathan Ellis, who managed to reproduce a full orchestra or provide sensitive support, as necessary.
Cantate Domino by Mark Hayes with its modern energetic, rhythmic style, complete with syncopation, made a great start. An effective choral adaptation of Ketelbey’s novelty characteristic piece In a Monastery Garden followed, bringing monks and nuns to life. This led into a beautiful sacred set of Ave Verum by Mozart, Ave Maria by Saint-Saëns (duo Elizabeth and Margaret) and Sancta Mater by Rossini.
Then we had gorgeous a capella (unaccompanied) part singing with Thula Thula African Lullaby before back to piano accompaniment for an attractive choral version of Schubert’s Ständchen.
In contrast we had a characterful operatic duet, Ai Nostri Monti, from Verdi’s Il Trovatore from Eric and Margaret. Then more relaxed, lighter mood with the traditional The Water is Wide; extracts from the shows with Eric partnering Elizabeth in Almost Like Being in Love from Brigadoon; and All I Ask of You from the Phantom of the Opera with Elizabeth and Mackenzie (who sang and accompanied at the piano).
Finally, the troupe with favourite jazzy standards You Make Me Feel So Young, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and I’m Always Chasing Rainbows completed this varied and comprehensive banquet of styles.
An encore was demanded and granted with a stirring arrangement of Gershwin’s I got rhythm, rounding off an enthusiastic and packed songfest admirably suited to the acoustics.
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.
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday 13 august 2025
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, 14 August 2025
Pennines in Bloom - Wardle Library
2nd Thursday, every month from March–October. A local community volunteer group who plan and plant up community areas in Wardle, Littleborough and Smithy Bridge for the benefit of those communities.
For adults – no need to book
Free
10am - 12pm
Wardle Library, 448 Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale OL12 9LH
Thursday 14 August 2025
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
Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 10am - 4pm
Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Thursday, 14 August 2025
Bookstart Baby and Bear Club - Smallbridge Library
Every other Thursday during term time. Join Amy and Bookstart Bear for a fun session, especially for babies and toddlers up to pre-school age and their parents or carers.
Free
1.30pm - 2.15pm
Smallbridge Library, Stevenson Square, Rochdale OL12 9SA
Thursday, 14 August 2025
Bilingual story time - Rochdale Central Library
Alternate Thursdays. Come and listen to stories read in English and other languages such as Urdu, Arabic, French and Slovakian. Join in with crafts related to the story afterwards.
Free
12pm - 1.30pm
Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Thursday, 14 August 2025
Eliza Says Rhyme and Sign to celebrate the Summer Reading Challenge - Littleborough Library
Join Lorenza from Eliza Says for stories, rhymes and learn new signs to celebrate the Summer Reading Challenge.
For families with children under 5.
Please email details of your name, a contact number and your child's name and age.
Free
2pm - 2.45pm
Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
Friday, 15 August 2025
Summer Reading Challenge Flower Photo Frame Craft - Langley Library
Drop in and join us for a fun flower photo frame craft at Langley Library as part of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, Story Garden.
For families with children aged 4.
You can just drop in; however, places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Email: langley.library@rochdale.gov.uk Free
2pm - 3pm
Langley Library, Windermere Road, Middleton M24 4LA
Saturday, 16 August 2025
Littleborough U3A Reading Group - Littleborough Library
3rd Saturday of every month. A monthly reading group for U3A Littleborough members.
The group reads a book every month. which we generally borrow from the library collection of books saved especially for reading groups. We then discuss the book at our monthly meeting, often having very lively discussions.
You must be a U3A member to take part in U3A activities. Join Littleborough U3A
Join this group on the Littleborough U3A website: https://littleborough.u3asite.uk/welcome/
10.30am - 11.30am
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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