MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER
previews, articles, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2026
Previews: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1920) with live organ, Big Lou & Friends — Time for a Laugh! And August Wilson's Fences
Reviews: Rising Star at TLC plus Ask HIM.
Rising Star at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
This memorable Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum was number 1,201 since taking over from Rochdale council in 2001.
Callum Bisson is a 20-year-old pianist and composer from Rochdale. This was his third appearance at the Toad Lane Concerts as a rising star pianist-composer. He first played here in a Toad Lane Concert Party in July 2024 on finishing sixth form at Chetham’s and about to start at the RNCM. His playing of Rachmaninoff then showed much promise. It is always an immense pleasure to report on the progress of talented young musicians, particularly with such emerging and burgeoning potential.
At Chetham’s, Callum’s original works premiered in composers’ concerts, including his Piano Concerto in G minor. He also won the Elgar Competition for Young Composers (2024), was a finalist in Chetham’s Annual Piano Competition, and received multiple commendations in performance competitions.
At the RNCM, Callum continued his joint focus in piano and composition with Professors Graham Scott and Adam Gorb, so that last year’s TLC appearance resounded with a commendable programme of JS Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Rachmaninoff plus the world premiere of his own ‘Variations on a Theme by Shostakovich’, which was delightfully inventive and fashioned with mature pianism. He has achieved many accolades, such as becoming a semi-finalist in this year’s European Piano Teachers’ Association Competition in Leeds, being a finalist in the Mark Ray Recital Prize earlier this year, and awarded the 2026-27 Peter Donohoe Prize, which is given to piano students who have excelled in their studies.
Callum is currently embarking on a composition project, ‘emotional prism’ for solo piano, ‘where each piece is in the mask of 24 preludes and presents a strong emotional journey’. This augurs well for the challenging world of the pianist-composer.
Today’s recital was confidently performed completely from memory. Mozart’s Gigue in G and Beethoven’s Sonata op 31 no 2 , 'The Tempest' were masterfully played with the Challen 8’ Grand piano explored in all its variety of tone; you can always tell a class player when they are not afraid to play softly when required!
Chopin’s Nocturne op 48 no 2 in F Sharp Minor was movingly conveyed with both delicate and strong melodic lines contrasting with more profound harmonic moments; he demonstrated his control by making us wait for the final cadence to resolve and fade.
Callum’s own composition ‘Shadow Rise (Based on a portrait by Steve Roston)’ showed increasing maturity in writing descriptively and it melded seamlessly with Medtner’s Canzona Martinata and Sonata Tragica. Callum extracted every ounce of passion in his expressive interpretation.
The audience demanded an encore and were treated to a clean and refreshing performance of JS Bach’s first prelude from book 1 of the ‘48’. Usually garnished by Gounod’s Ave Maria on top, it was a delight to hear its pure simplicity impeccably played - another sure sign of a fine player.
We look forward to the continued progress of this talented young musician. Rochdale’s own!
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.
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1920) with live organ
Preview by Steve Cooke
This Halloween, you have the opportunity to step inside the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall for a thrilling night of silent cinema, gothic horror, and live music.
On the big screen: Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1920), the classic silent horror starring the legendary John Barrymore in one of cinema’s most extraordinary early transformations.
By day, Doctor Henry Jekyll is a respected physician, fascinated by the struggle between good and evil within us all. But when his experiments unleash his darker self – the sinister and increasingly uncontrollable Mr Hyde – the respectable streets of Victorian London become the hunting ground for a monster…
And on Halloween night, this century-old tale will be brought spectacularly back to life by acclaimed organist Aaron Hawthorne, returning for his 3rd annual visit to Rochdale Town Hall, performing a completely live accompaniment on the mighty pipe organ in the grand hall.
Expect thunderous drama, eerie whispers, spine-tingling suspense and all the excitement of experiencing a silent film as audiences did in the early days of cinema, with every moment underscored live before your eyes and ears.
Whether you're a horror fan, a film lover, an organ enthusiast, or simply looking for something brilliantly different to do this Halloween, this promises to be a memorable night in one of Rochdale’s most spectacular surroundings.
And because it’s Halloween…fancy dress is highly encouraged. Victorian villains, mad scientists, ghosts, ghouls, monsters, and creatures of the night, come dressed to impress…if you dare.
From £10 visit https://www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/whats-on/events/dr-jekyll-mr-hyde-1920-with-live-organ/
Saturday, 31 October 19:00 - 22:00 in Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
Email: hello@rochdaletownhall.co.uk
Phone: 01706 924 797 10am-4pm, Monday-Saturday
Ask HIM.
Review by Mark Rothwell
Forty eight chapters, 288 pages, several locations and a principal nuclear family of two adults and one child make up the first novel, titled Ask HIM, by former Rochdale resident, Julie Savanth.
Rachel Bickerton and Dom Watt, a married couple, experience anguish and pain after the disappearance of their teenage son, Matt, a keen geologist.
Ostensibly a thriller, the drama is mostly acted out in domestic settings though a forest takes a key role too. It’s also a missing person story.
Savanth exhausts much of the narrative in what appears, at face value, to be trivial and commonplace. There are repeated phrases which appear perfunctory even though the author is enthusiastic. The ultimate result is a well-crafted story that builds the identity of each character across many episodes.
One key idea, while skilfully drawn, sees the invention of a malevolent figure, presence or voice that is at the centre of the tale, a figure identified as HIM. In the HIM of the paperback’s title, the reader is taken on a journey that reveals much including symbols and illustrations.
The creation of HIM, perhaps a metaphor for the role of faith or an all-seeing God or a controlling media, touches so few characters that it cannot be universal nor omniscient. The author, however, says that HIM is a possible person and/or a possible figment of the imagination caused by severe trauma.
Indeed Savanth says she draws ideas within her tome from an interest in noetic science which explores how a belief system can make someone believe something that others don’t. Moreover, what makes one perception the truth against another perception that isn’t.
When Rachel enters a nearby forest, she thinks she has seen Matt who, unknowingly, leads Rachel to a shipping container deep in the woods.
The shipping container takes on the role of a Tardis as in Dr Who, a television programme, in terms of its vast space inside compared to its relatively small scale outside.
There’s a wardrobe like feature in the shipping container that may borrow from The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe by CS Lewis. This means the nuclear family can enter another world, another dimension. Rachel, to find her son, the other two, Matt and Dom, to be reacquainted with HIM. All should be revealed in the next two parts of this trilogy.
Savanth is currently making notes for the second tome, titled Core Corrupted, due in the summer of next year.
Ask HIM is available on Kindle and at Amazon.
Big Lou & Friends — Time for a Laugh!
Preview by Steve Cooke
Coming up from Ace Lips Presents is Big Lou & Friends — Time for a Laugh!
An opportunity to enjoy for what promises to be a night packed with laughter, stories, and unforgettable fun! This special evening marks a chance to see Big Lou LIVE locally before he retires and steps away from the comedy circuit — a true celebration of his years bringing joy to audiences across the country.
Big Lou grew up in Whitefield and later moved to Prestwich, attending Radcliffe Catering College before starting a career in hospitality and private aviation. He transitioned into stand-up comedy in 2010, quickly establishing himself on the UK comedy circuit with over 1,200 gigs to his name.
Big Lou is celebrated for his modern twist on old-school joke telling, blending the charm of Les Dawson with the sharpness of Jimmy Carr.
He has performed at premier comedy venues across the North West and beyond, and is a regular on both the after-dinner circuit and comedy club line-ups
His style is characterized by quick-witted humour, precise timing, and audience engagement, often described as delivering laughs like sharing a pint with your funniest mate.
He gained early recognition by winning the Lass O’Gowrie New Comedian of the Year and reaching the finals of the Speckled Hen Comedian of the Year in 2010
Big Lou was also a featured performer on the first Manford’s Comedy Club Night, earning praise for his original and punchy material.
In addition to live performances, Big Lou has been a regular voice on radio since 2011. He hosted The Keenan & L Show and Big Lou’s Theme Time Radio on Wythenshawe FM, and has appeared on FAB Radio, Revolution FM, BBC Radio Manchester, and BBC Radio Lancashire.
“I’ve been a fan of radio all my life. I’m a huge music fan and a bit of a trivia nerd! Over the years, I’ve competed in 27 different television quiz shows. As I’m now approaching the end of my comedy career, I’m looking to fill the creative void with more radio.”
“I’m so excited to be part of Radio Bury from the start. I’m looking forward to helping nurture it, getting involved and watching it grow into something special for my beloved home town.”
Pay What You Can Tickets: £10 / £12 / £14
“Times are tough, but laughter shouldn’t be a luxury. If this month’s tight, pay £10; if things are better, pay £14 it’s all about keeping live comedy accessible for everyone. So grab your mates, head down early.”
Friday 2 October at 8pm-11.15pm [doors open 7pm] at Milnrow Cricket Club, Harbour Lane, Rochdale OL16 4HF
August Wilson's Fences
Preview by Steve Cooke
August Wilson's legendary play, Fences, comes to HOME Manchester
‘Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in.’
Troy Maxson has cheated death once, but the past keeps closing in. On Pittsburgh’s streets, he cracks jokes and spins stories, yet at home, the pressure is building.
His wife, Rose holds the family together. She sees a changing world and hopes their son Cory might step into it with more freedom than Troy ever had. But when dreams collide, and tempers flare, the Maxson's edge towards a reckoning that could reshape everything they know.
August Wilson’s landmark play set in the 1950s, returns in a vital new production directed by the award-winning Daniel Bailey (Red Pitch, West End). From one of America’s most influential 20th century writers, this is a story of ambition for our time.
Age Guidance:12+
Content Warning: The story contains themes of death, injury, and implied sexual assault. There is occasional strong and racially explicit language, including use of the n-word.
£29.20 (inc. £1.20 cmsn) - £47.20 (inc. £1.20 cmsn)
Call Box Office on 0161 200 1500 (10:00-20:00 daily)
14.00 and 19.30 Tuesday 3 November - Saturday 7 November at HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place Manchester M15 4FN.14.00 and 19.30
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Jonathan Ellis piano (Manchester University & RNCM)
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, 17 September 2026
Bookstart Baby and Bear Club - Balderstone Library
Free
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, 17 September 2026
Reading Group - Smithy Bridge Library
Free
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.
Contact: SmithyBridge.Library@rochdale.gov.uk
1.30pm - 3pm
Smithy Bridge Library, 121–123 Smithy Bridge Road, Littleborough OL15 0BQ
Thursday, 17 September 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, 17 September 2026
Join the RBCN [Rochdale Borough Culture Network]for its next Artist's Social event.
Attendees will hear from a couple of local artists, have some food and do some networking.
Please let the RBCN know if planning on joining so that enough food can be organised. The space does have a max capacity, so it would be really useful to have an idea of numbers for that too.
Please note new email address is rbcn@caringandsharingrochdale.org although the old Cartwheel Arts email address still works for now.
All food will be veggie, but if attendees have an allergy or preference just let the RBCN know.
The RBCN looks forward to seeing attendees there!
Adults (18+)
Free / Pay What You Want
18:00-20.00
Richard Street Studios, 44-46 Richard Street, Rochdale, OL11 1DU
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