MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2026
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- 2 minutes ago
- 8 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2026
Rochdale Community Draw
Preview by Steve Cooke
Rochdale Community Draw is a great, accessible weekend event for everyone to share the stories and history of Rochdale through making something together.
Local people’s personal interpretation of the Rochdale’s history and heritage will be explored through the medium of drawing.
The drawings will then be collected and used to inspire the design for a Community Banner for Rochdale, bringing everyone’s ideas together to celebrate Rochdale!
The banner will be produced by a local artist and revealed later in the year.
All materials are provided just take yourselves and your ideas!
This wonderful opportunity to get creative is a free, drop-in event open 10am to 3pm at Rochdale Town Hall.
Saturday 21 February 2026
Rochdale Town Hall , The Esplanade Rochdale , Manchester, OL16 1AZ
Wheel chair / pram accessible
Suitable For All Audiences
The event is part of the Broadfield Park Slopes Project, which is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The Broadfield Park Slopes Project is a restoration project of a Grade II listed park into a vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive space for everyone. The Slopes are part of Rochdale’s history, but they’ve been a bit forgotten. Some areas are damaged, overgrown or don’t feel safe. This project will help change that by:
Making the park beautiful and fun again
Protecting its history and cool hidden features
Giving people of all ages a chance to get involved
Helping everyone feel proud of their town
Developing Slopes to be a place where you can hang out, explore, learn, and enjoy nature.
The Memory of Water - Three Sisters and a Funeral
Review by Hilary Dawes
Lotte Wakeham directs this 30th anniversary revival of Shelagh Stephenson’s award winning comedy, set in the winter of 1996.
It is the eve of their mother’s funeral and Mary, Teresa and Catherine return to their childhood home for the first time in years. As they sort through clothes, keepsakes and ghosts of the past, the whisky flows, resentments surface and long-held silences crack open with unexpected laughter.
Mary has spent the night in her mother’s bed, much to the dismay of sister Teresa, who arrives early that morning, insistent on sorting through their mother’s effects before the funeral the next day. Youngest sister Catherine bursts in with a flurry of shopping bags, totally self-absorbed, more concerned with a telephone call from her boyfriend. Once all together, the bickering starts, with many jibes and mis-remembered events from their childhood.
When Mary’s married boyfriend Mike arrives in the middle of a snowstorm, we soon learn that their relationship is not without its problems.
As the girls attempt to sort through their mother’s clothes, chaos and hilarity ensue as they pick out dresses, trying them on and reminiscing, becoming more and more hysterical. As Act 1 closes, Teresa’s disgruntled husband Frank finally appears. We later learn that Teresa and Frank’s marriage is not going smoothly either, and as Teresa becomes more and more hilariously drunk, many home truths rise to the surface.
The sombre subject matter is constantly lifted by many laugh-out-loud moments, with some great one-liners and brilliant comic timing, and judging from the audience’s appreciative laughter and applause, this is a story likely to resonate with many of us in some way.
There were superlative performances from all cast members, with the complex and nuanced characters of the three sisters beautifully portrayed by Polly Lister as the clever and troubled doctor Mary; Victoria Brazier as slightly neurotic Teresa, and Helen Flanagan as youngest daughter Catherine, with her outrageous over the top behaviour only highlighting her many insecurities. Vicky Binns gave a wonderful performance as the ghost of Vi, the girls' mother, a glamorous and elegant version of her younger self
Charlie de Melo and Reginald Edwards brilliantly portrayed Mike and Frank, each struggling to understand and placate their respective partners.
The whole play takes place in Vi’s bedroom, and the talented production team deserve high praise for producing such a beautifully detailed set, along with sound and lighting, immersing us in that claustrophobic atmosphere.
Don’t miss this hilarious yet moving family drama, running at the Octagon, Bolton until 21st February 2026.
Tickets from £15
Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton, BL1 1SB
Maintaining the heritage traditions of the song recital at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
This Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum was the 1,172nd since taking over from Rochdale council in 2001.
We are fortunate having such fine performers to maintain the heritage traditions of the song recital.
Chester based mezzo-soprano Imogen Garner studied at the RNCM and has sung as a soloist in concerts, live broadcasts on BBC Radio 4, several opera companies and as a soloist with choral societies. Imogen also gives song recitals throughout the Northwest with her accompanist John Gough and joined by Ben Holland in Trio Deva.
John Gough was born and bred in Chester. He enjoys a busy career combining solo playing, accompaniment and teaching. He has broadcast many times on BBC Radio 3 and has performed at the Wigmore Hall, London, and as soloist with orchestras. Overseas, he has performed at the Carnegie Hall, New York, and on Danish Radio. He recently retired as Head of Accompaniment at the RNCM and introduced the songs today with engaging information.
This period of twentieth century Art song by British composers are an important musical legacy – someone said that if it were not for the examination lists, they would cease to exist. A good example of this is Love went a riding by Frank Bridge (Britten’s teacher). This strident setting with a tremendous piano part was delivered by this concert duo with great skill and passion. Imogen’s rich, mellow tone immediately grabbed the attention supported by an inspiring piano accompaniment.
This was followed with two settings by John Ireland and in turn two songs by one of his students, Janet Hamilton, from her all too limited legacy.
Madeleine Dring was something of a rebel as seen in her settings of Betjeman’s Business Girls and Song of a nightclub proprietress, ideally catching the mood of the 1950s, delivered with great character by Imogen with jazzy support from John.
But the major work, that has stood the test of time was Elgar’s song cycle, ‘Sea Pictures’ of 1899 for contralto (more usually called mezzo soprano these days). It is regarded as a tour de force for this voice which was borne out by Imogen and her fellow interpreter today. They deserve our thanks for doing a wonderful job keeping these great works and traditions alive.
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.
Brand New Sculpture Exhibitions at HOME
Preview by Steve Cooke
This Spring 2026, HOME's main gallery space hosts two exciting new solo exhibitions, one from Gabriel Kidd, and the other from Nicola Ellis. Visitors to this space are invited to immerse themselves in varied works that explore diverse themes such as mythology, materials, ecology, industry, history and labour.
Nicola Ellis presents three new bodies of work that extend her ongoing collaboration with the steel enclosure manufacturer Ritherdon & Co in Darwen, Lancashire. By combining sculpted, found and digitally manipulated materials, she creates forms that retain the traces of their origins exploring their ecologies and legacies.
In Gabriel Kidd’s first institutional solo show, they have created an immersive work of figurative and sound pieces inspired by local folktale, landscape, erosion, and medieval notions of time. Through sculpture, drawing, sound, and writing, Kidd’s work utilises queer tactics of parody, fluidity and vitality to explore the relationship between interior and exterior worlds.
Nicola Ellis: Exercises in Knowing
Ellis’ work is often created in response to contexts outside of traditional art environments, using discarded or overlooked materials, substances or subjects within industrial or scientific contexts. By combining sculpted, found and digitally manipulated materials, she creates forms that retain the traces of their origins exploring their ecologies and legacies.
For this exhibition Exercises in Knowing, Ellis has created three new bodies of work that extend her ongoing collaboration with the steel enclosure manufacturer Ritherdon & Co in Darwen, Lancashire. This work explores how we relate to industry, materials, and labour, highlighting the role of sensory and tacit knowledge in these relationships, as well as the ways such knowledge is communicated.
Gabriel Kidd: I found the giant and he was dead
Through sculpture, drawing, sound, and writing, Kidd’s work utilises queer tactics of parody, fluidity and vitality, to explore mythology, ecology and history.
In this exhibition, Kidd’s first institutional solo show, they have created an immersive work of figurative and sound pieces inspired by local folktale, landscape, erosion, and medieval notions of time. Naturally dyed silk (with weeds, wayside trees or healing herbs), whittled pine arrows, poured/cast latex skin and eggs, and Kozo paper architectural forms are painstakingly crafted and stitched together with mass produced sequins or acrylic nails. In a series of vignettes, emotionally suggestive human forms appear in the ruined remains of a hilltop domestic dwelling.
Saturday 21 February – Sunday 17 May
HOME, Tony Wilson Place Manchester M15 4FN.
RECOMMENED
Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Adrian Lord piano and composer (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, 19 February 2026
Reading Group - Smithy Bridge Library
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
1.30pm - 3pm
Smithy Bridge Library, 121–123 Smithy Bridge Road, Littleborough OL15 0BQ
Thursday, 19 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 19th February: at Rochdale Pioneers Museum, 11am - 2pm.
Friday 20th February: at Rochdale Central Library, 11am - 2pm.
February Crafty Drop-Ins - FREE!
Join us to make fun, flappy bee and bird decorations to take home, either at the museum or at the library.
There is no need to book. You can come at any time between 11am and 2pm.
Please note that all children must be accompanied by adults.
Organised by Co-operative Heritage Trust visit: https://www.co-operativeheritage.coop/
Rochdale Pioneers Museum, Rochdale, OL120NU
Thursday, 19 February 2026
Lego Club - Spotland Library
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.
Free
3.30pm - 5pm
Spotland Library, Ings Lane, Rochdale OL12 7AL
Friday, 20 February 2026
Sky Full of Stars: A Tribute to Coldplay
Get ready for an electrifying night of music and magic with Sky Full of Stars – the most authentic tribute to Coldplay! This spectacular live experience doesn’t just capture the sound and spirit of one of the world’s biggest bands – it makes you part of the show. With LED wristbands lighting up the crowd, the energy of the music surrounds you like never before!
Whether you’re a lifelong Coldplay fan or just looking for an unforgettable night out, Sky Full of Stars delivers dazzling performances, stunning visuals, and an atmosphere that truly brings Coldplay’s greatest hits to life. From the anthemic Viva La Vida to the uplifting A Sky Full of Stars, plus all the songs you love, including Clocks, Yellow, Paradise, and Hymn for the Weekend.
Suitable For Adults (18+)
From £29.00
19:30
Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Greater Manchester, M24 1AG
Accessibility
Accessible viewing platform / area
Wheel chair / pram accessible
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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