MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER
previews, articles, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER 2026
Article: Oldham Coliseum to receive £184,000 a year for the next three years through Greater Manchester’s Culture Fund
Previews: Open with care! - Free archive creative drop in sessions with Mitch Robinson, The Met Promises A Giant Dose Of Festive Family Panto Fun plus Factory International presents the LIGHTROOM production Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaur
Review: Three supremely talented young musicians from Chetham’s at TLC
Open with care! - Free archive creative drop in sessions with Mitch Robinson
Preview by Steve Cooke
If you are interested in storytelling, history, or creativity you will want to attend Open with care!
Sessions that will provide a unique and creative opportunity to explore the fascinating, strange tales hidden within historical archives and records.
They will be talking about folk belief; magic and the supernatural so small group sessions are best for families with older children.
You will have the opportunity to join Mitch to uncover unusual stories and perspectives that you may never have encountered before. These sessions promise to be creative, inspiring, and thought-provoking for everyone, whether you’re a history buff or just looking for something “delightfully different to do in spooky season”.
A great opportunity to explore individual tales from old records which are usually hidden. Help decide how Rochdale can use its archives more widely for the public in the future.
Drop in, get curious, and rediscover old records with a new perspective!
Saturday 17th October at 12:30 and 14:00. Drop-in sessions available; no need to book in advance, each session lasts no more than one hour.
Rochdale Pioneers Museum, 31 Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL12 0NU
The Met Promises A Giant Dose Of Festive Family Panto Fun.
Preview by Steve Cooke
This festive season the Met, Bury are inviting audiences on a gigantic adventure with a brand-new adaptation of the hilarious and magical panto, Jack and the Beanstalk.
Produced by acclaimed panto professionals The Big Tiny, (the team behind 2025’s The Pied Piper of Hamelin and previous productions of Rumpelstiltskin, Dick Whittington and Aladdin), this promises to be an unmissable new production, directed by Robert Styles, comes to The Met from Saturday 5 - Monday 28 December.
Featuring a powerhouse of all Northern talent, the full cast includes: Marcquelle Ward (The Ridiculous Rhyme Show, Laugh ‘n’ Learn, Rapunzel, Albert Halls and Polka Dot Theatre) in the title role as Jack; joined by Georgia Willburn in her professional stage debut as his love interest, Jill.
The production will also include a young company of local young actors, who will be announced shortly.
The creative team includes Robert Styles (director); and Jason Harrison (choreographer).
Jack and the Beanstalk director, Robert Styles, said on the announcement: “I’m delighted to be directing Jack and the Beanstalk with Big Tiny at The Met, Bury. Having previously performed as a Dame in three of The Big Tiny pantomime productions, including their production of Dick Whittington right here at The Met, it’s wonderful to return in a completely different role. Jack and the Beanstalk is a brilliant story to play with, and I can’t wait to work with the cast and creative team to bring audiences plenty of laughter, magic, mischief and all the panto fun they know and love.”
Big Tiny Writer, Ben Richards and producer WiIl Cousins said: “We’re thrilled to be returning to The Met this Christmas. We love creating bespoke local pantomime, and we are incredibly excited to bring Jack and the Beanstalk to the Met this year. It’s a fantastic story packed with comedy, adventure and all the ingredients of a brilliant panto.”
The Met’s Artistic Programme Manager, Sophie Cade says: “We’re so pleased to be working with Big Tiny again and to welcome them back to The Met with another pantomime. It’s wonderful that we can offer families and audiences a fun high-quality festive experience to enjoy together. We’re really looking forward to seeing Jack and the Beanstalk come to life on our stage.”
Jack and the Beanstalk comes to The Met, Bury from Saturday 5 - Monday 28 December.
Tickets are on-sale now, visit https://themet.org.uk/event/jack-and-the-beanstalk/
Factory International presents the LIGHTROOM production Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs
Preview by Steve Cooke
A great opportunity to stand face-to-face with the greatest dinosaurs in history on a colossal adventure through time at Aviva Studios.
You will be able to see Earth transformed by the age of dinosaurs in Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs – a new immersive Lightroom experience narrated by Damian Lewis.
Explore the extraordinary story of dinosaurs up close from their dominance 66 million years ago to their legacy today. Witness life-sized dinosaurs at the most dramatic moments of their lives – traversing dangerous deserts, soaring skies and mysterious ocean depths.
Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs blends iconic moments from Apple TV’s Emmy-nominated Prehistoric Planet with bespoke illustrations and extended CGI sequences – set to an epic original score by multi-Academy Award-winner Hans Zimmer, Anže Rozman and Kara Talve for Bleeding Fingers Music.
Using the incredible Lightroom technology behind David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away), The Moonwalkers and VOGUE: Inventing the Runway, this 360° immersive experience transports you straight into the heart of the prehistoric world.
“Discover a world lost to time and feel it come roaring back to life.”
Tuesday 8 December 2026 – Wednesday 6 January 2027
North Warehouse, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
Tickets
Aviva £10 Tickets & Concessions
Previews from: £20
Standard from: £25
A booking fee of £1.50 applies to all tickets.
Suitable for all ages - Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+. Children aged 2 and undergo FREE and do not require a ticket.
Running time: 50 Minutes
Accessibility features available for this event: Audio Description Relaxed Performance Wheelchair Access BSL Interpreting
Three supremely talented young musicians from Chetham’s at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
This optimistic Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum was number 1,205 since taking over from Rochdale council in 2001 (this statistic pales next to Chetham’s founded in 1632 and a modern specialist music school from 1969). Three supremely talented young musicians from Chetham’s made a great impression today.
Escorting them was assistant principal and chief accompanist Nick Oliver; born in London, a student himself of the Purcell School, the Royal Academy of Music and the RNCM, he won several prizes at both colleges for solo playing, accompaniment and chamber music. He enjoys a successful and varied performing career and is also an experienced adjudicator and an examiner for ABRSM at home and abroad.\
First of the rising stars was 15-year-old cellist, Isla who delivered the Prelude, lento – Allegro maestoso of Lalo’s Concerto in D minor authoritatively with Nick’s stirring accompaniment, together bringing out its smouldering dramatic narrative. Isla contrasted this with Mark Summer’s delightful, unaccompanied ‘Julie – O’ with vigour and panache, clearly relishing the experimental use of pizzicato, tap and slap amongst the languid folklike phrases.
Then came 14-year-old Amelia singing Dvořak’s ‘Songs my mother taught me’, De Luca’s ‘Non posso disperar’ and two songs by Quilter, ‘Moonlight’ and ‘By the sea’. These were beautifully and engagingly phrased with secure high notes and maturing tone, sensitively supported by the piano accompaniment.
Finally, 15-year-old clarinettist Shia played Burgmuller’s ‘Duo Op.15’, the Lento from Horowitz’s ‘Sonatina’ and Kalliwoda’s ‘Morceau de Salon’. Here was virtuoso playing par excellence from both players, full of robust melodic lines throughout the ranges of the instruments, with ravishing dazzling pyrotechnics whilst recognising the many dynamics and varied styles and moods and even touches of humour.
Representing the cream of their generation these three performed beyond their years and inspired much optimism for the future. Nick and his colleagues are doing a marvellous job building musical foundations of talent with their charges. They would grace any concert stage and delight their audience, as they certainly did here.
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/1AP. Entrance fee is £6. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
Oldham Coliseum to receive £184,000 a year for the next three years through Greater Manchester’s Culture Fund
By Seve Cooke
It’s encouraging to hear from our friends at the much missed Oldham Coliseum Theatre that it is to receive £184,000 a year for the next three years through Greater Manchester’s Culture Fund.
The funding is part of a £15 million investment in culture across Greater Manchester, which has been announced by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), supporting theatres and cultural organisations across all ten boroughs.
Martina Murphy, Oldham Coliseum Theatre CEO says:
"We’re delighted that Oldham Coliseum will receive £184,000 a year through Greater Manchester's Culture Fund for the next three years. This investment is an important vote of confidence in the Coliseum, in Oldham and in the role that culture can play in the future of our town. As we work towards reopening the Coliseum, our ambition goes far beyond reopening a building. We want to rebuild a theatre that is deeply connected to the people of Oldham – creating brilliant cultural experiences, opportunities for young people and local artists, and ensuring that people from across the borough can see themselves reflected in what happens on our stages.”
"There is an enormous amount happening in Oldham over the next few years, and culture has a vital role to play in that wider regeneration. This long-term support from GMCA gives us greater stability as we plan for that future and continue taking the Coliseum out into communities while our building is being transformed.”
"We’re incredibly grateful to GMCA for continuing to back the Coliseum and, most importantly, for recognising that people should be able to experience great culture close to home. The funding will help us continue building strong relationships with our communities, supporting artists and young people, and bringing brilliant cultural experiences to people across Oldham while our building is transformed.”
"With Oldham also celebrating its year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture, there’s lots to look forward to."
To find out more about the current Oldham Coliseum Theatre programme, including its new production of Macbeth directed by Creative Director Nick Bagnall, visit the website https://coliseum.org.uk
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Oldham Community Choir conductor Jonathan Gibson & piano Edward Rigg
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
St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ
Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm - 1.30pm
Thursday, 15 October 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, 15 October 2026
Bookstart Baby and Bear Club - Balderstone Library
Every other Thursday during term time. Join Amy and Bookstart Bear for a fun session.
For babies and toddlers up to pre-school age and their parents or carers.
Booking required: please book a ticket for every baby and/or child who is to attend. Accompanying adults will not need a ticket. See available sessions and book tickets through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/rochdale-borough-libraries-10695506106
When you and your child come along to their first session of Bookstart Baby and Bear Club, they will receive their very own Bookstart passport for you to get stamped each time they come along to a session or visit the library. For every 6 stamps they get in their passport, they'll receive a certificate. Don't worry, if you or your child are not library members already, you can join when you come along to Bookstart Bear Club.
Contact: balderstone.library@rochdale.gov.uk
1.30pm - 2.15pm
Balderstone Library, Balderstone Park, Platting Lane, Rochdale OL11 2HD
Thursday, 15 October 2026
Reading Group - Smithy Bridge Library
Read, share and discuss a range of fiction and non-fiction in our reading group.
3rd Thursday of every month. A monthly group that meets to discuss a chosen title and have a general chat about their shared love of reading.
For adults.
No need to book, you can just turn up.
Free
Contact: SmithyBridge.Library@rochdale.gov.uk
1.30pm - 3pm
Smithy Bridge Library, 121–123 Smithy Bridge Road, Littleborough OL15 0BQ
Thursday, 15 October 2026
Lego Club - Spotland Library
Come and build your own Lego creations in our themed sessions.
Free
3rd Thursday of every month. Come and join our Lego Club and build your own Lego creations in our themed sessions.
For families with teenagers and children aged 5 and above.
No booking required, you can just turn up.
Contact: spotland.library@rochdale.gov.uk
3.30pm - 5pm
Spotland Library, Ings Lane, Rochdale OL12 7AL
Friday, 16 October 2026
Carers Book Club - Heywood Library
3rd Friday of every month. Why not book a space and join our friendly Carers Book Club? Come and discuss the latest book (you'll be given the book to borrow for free).
For adults who are carers.
Free
Booking required:
You can also join by calling 01706 392060.
Enjoy a tea or coffee and the chance to talk about your favourite books. New carers always welcome.
10am - 11.30am
Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW
Friday, 16 October 2026
TWAWSI - The World As We See It
Redefining dance of the African diaspora with a contemporary outlook, ACE Dance and Music’s bold new double bill presents two powerful, contrasting visions of our world today, told through exhilarating and emotive, breathtaking physicality.
Two choreographers with extraordinary heritage and seven diverse dancers re-write the rules and embody a state of unity and deep connectedness rarely seen in our divided world.
Price from £13.65
You can select the right price for you at checkout. https://heywoodcivic.co.uk/event/the-world-as-we-see-it/
19:30
LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood, OL10 1LW
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