MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2026

STEVE COOKE AATA
4 days ago
8 min read

Previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke

MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH 2026

Previews: Queen of the Night (Raat Ki Raani), Glitch – The True Story of the Post Office Scandal plus Rochdale and District On Film.

Reviews: Shakespeare's iconic tragedy is brought to life in a powerful new production and Spring was in the air at TLC with burgeoning talent from youngsters from Chets.

Shakespeare's iconic tragedy is brought to life in a powerful new production

Review by Hilary Dawes

In this new Octagon production, Director Mark Babych has moved the setting to a contemporary war-torn country. The play honours the original Shakespearean language with a few adjustments to the dialogue to support clarity for modern audiences.

Opening to the sounds of bombing and gunfire, the modern-day military uniforms and stark utilitarian scenery work well with a story which still seems relevant in today’s uncertain times of global conflict.

A wounded soldier is wheeled on stage on a stretcher to inform the King of success in the day’s battle and he extols the bravery of Macbeth and Banquo.

Meanwhile, Macbeth and Banquo, returning from the battle, meet three witches (played with gruesome relish by Deborah Pugh, Livie Dalee and Josie Morley) bearing a strange and fateful prophecy that begins a chain of bloody and brutal events.

When the power-hungry Lady Macbeth learns of her husband’s promotion, she is ambitious for further greatness and Macbeth, recalling more of the witches’ prophesy, becomes consumed with ever more dark and sinister thoughts, causing him to inflict violence and tyranny on all those who might stand in his way, including his best friend Banquo and the family of Macduff.

In a whirlwind of guilt and fear, Macbeth and his wife begin to crumble under the strain and both are tormented by their actions, resulting in Lady Macbeth’s descent into madness.

There were outstanding performances from the whole cast, with Oliver Alvin-Wilson’s compelling portrayal of Macbeth, a man consumed by ambition yet haunted by guilt, and Jo Mousley’s believable performance as the ruthless Lady Macbeth eventually becoming an anguished and broken shell. Daniel Poyser was excellent as Banquo and his terrifying zombie-like ghost! Bringing a much needed comic interlude to the play,

Colin Hurley gave a great comedic turn in the role of the Porter, having earlier portrayed the ill-fated Duncan. As the disillusioned messenger Ross, Benjamin Wilson’s performance was beautifully calm and sympathetic, whilst Simon Trinder gave a powerfully emotional portrayal of Macduff.

Remaining cast members excelled in their roles, with Cayvan Coates as Malcolm, Livie Dalee as Donalbain, Josie Morley as Lady Macbeth and Deborah Pugh as First Witch. Young Octagon members gave accomplished performances in the children’s roles.

The incredible creative team have produced a chilling and dystopian atmosphere, with an impactful and imaginative set, costumes, lighting and sound design, along with expertly choreographed and realistic fight scenes.

For those who may feel that Shakespeare is not for them, this powerful and chilling production could well change their mind. This is a thrilling, edge of the seat journey on which you cannot fail to be swept along, as Macbeth’s treacherous story unfolds.

Running until 28 March 2026 at the Octagon Bolton, Visit:

https://octagonbolton.co.uk/events/macbeth#dates-and-times

Queen of the Night (Raat Ki Raani)

Preview by Steve Cooke

Rochdale based artist Alina Akbar presents Queen of the Night (Raat Ki Raani), a multi-artform exhibition transforming a 1955 Pakistani family-owned cash and carry warehouse in Rochdale into an immersive nocturnal installation.

Developed from late night car conversations between young Muslim women, the exhibition moves across photography, sculpture, sound and film to explore girlhood, folklore, and the gendered experience of the streets after dark. Reimagining the locally iconic Haji Cash & Carry building as a site of cultural memory, the project questions what constitutes heritage and whose spaces are deemed worthy of preservation.

Unfolding beneath streetlights, the exhibition returns to the jinn stories of childhood and the communal storytelling that shaped them.

These imagined fears are placed in dialogue with the structural realities of adulthood, surveillance, expectation, marriage, ageing, and responsibility, revealing how stories intended to protect can also confine.

Throughout the installation, devotional references are playfully reworked into sculptural gestures, while commercial youth iconography is enlarged and subverted, critiquing the double standards and quiet scrutiny that shape contemporary Muslim girlhood.

At the centre of the exhibition sits a Nissan Micra, functioning as both sculptural object and private third space. Within it, we hear audio from young South Asian Muslim women speaking about freedom, rebellion and inherited anxieties as they drive the streets at night. The car becomes a temporary site of autonomy, disrupting the perception of Muslim girlhood as singular and revealing it instead as layered and self-defined.

Blurring humour and unease, superstition and lived reality, Queen of the Night considers the moment when imagined fears give way to lived ones and how ordinary moments after dark can hold quiet acts of resistance.

Local artist Alina Akbar transforms Haji Cash and Carry warehouse into an immersive installation exploring Muslim girlhood, folklore and navigating gendered streets after dark.

It marks her first solo exhibition and an expansion of practice into spatial installation and as part of Arts Council England's Creative People and Places programme.

Thursday 26 – Sunday 29 March 2026

Haji Cash & Carry, Station Approach, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL11 1HG

Spring was in the air at TLC with burgeoning talent from youngsters from Chets

Review by Dr Joe Dawson

The 1,176th recital since taking over from the council in 2001 featured youngsters from Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester, the UK's largest specialist music school.

Established in 1969, it offers a co-educational boarding and day school experience for students aged 8 to 18. Renowned for its rigorous musical training, all students enter through musical auditions. The school fosters a vibrant and supportive community, attracting students from around the world.

They were expertly accompanied by award winning pianist Staff Member Gemma Webster who was educated at The Purcell School, RCM, University of York, RNCM and Sibelius Academy (Helsinki). She has performed throughout the UK and overseas as soloist, accompanist and chamber musician as well as holding key piano teaching positions. In 2019 she joined the full-time staff at Chetham’s. Gemma’s compositions have received awards and have been performed on BBC radio & TV.

She proved to be an excellent accompanist and friendly mentor, encouraging and leading her charges by example.

Spring was definitely in the air as sunshine streamed in through the immense windows of St Mary in the Baum – necessitating sunglasses for some. But the youthful promise projected by these exceptional musicians was even more dazzling.

Singer Violet (16) sang a range of styles: Baroque Handel Va godendo, C19 French Pauline Viardot Les deux roses and C20 musical Lloyd-Webber’s Wishing you were somehow here again, all with a pleasing clear tone and engaging manner.

Erin (17) with her enthusiastic viola playing of the prelude from J S Bach’s unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 4, followed by the first movement of Hoffmeister’s Viola Concerto demonstrated that the often-unsung viola deserves its day in the sun.

Violet was joined by Miriam (15) for two of Mendelssohn’s Lieder Duets op. 63, in beautifully balanced part singing.

For cellist Will (18), Sally Beamish’s contemporary evocative unaccompanied piece Gala Water, was all the more poignant because it stemmed from his background, the Borders. The Brahms Sonata in F op. 99 showed similar immense control, power and musicianship beyond his years.

A fantastic lunchtime concert, doing Chetham’s proud and giving enormous pleasure through its gifted students … and staff.

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.

Glitch – The True Story of the Post Office Scandal

Preview by Steve Cooke

Pam Stubbs has been sub-postmistress of Barkham Post Office for over twenty years, respected and loved by the community. But when unexplained discrepancies start appearing in her accounts, Pam soon finds herself at the heart of the biggest miscarriage of justice in English legal history.

Glitch is an inspirational true story, based on the experiences of Pam and her colleagues. The play was created with sub-postmistresses and masters affected by the events, key members of the legal process and commissioned by the University of Reading.

Presented by: RABBLE Theatre

Watch trailer: https://youtu.be/KKIQbgsP-0M

Standard: £16.80

Lower: £14.70

Higher: £18.90

All prices are inclusive of booking fee.

Visit: https://heywoodcivic.co.uk/book/?show=614202ABVKSSLSNDQVMGCHNCGCQKTQDQN

Friday 20 March at 7.30pm [duration 75 minutes]

Heywood Civic, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood, Greater Manchester OL10 1LW

Rochdale and District On Film

Preview by Steve Cooke

Don’t miss this great opportunity to explore Rochdale and its surroundings through its history on film over the last 100 years. From the age before camcorders and mobile phones and using a mix of newsreels and home movies, a look at the industries, cultures and traditions of both the town itself and the wider borough as it grew down the years.

Presented by staff from The North West Film Archive, this unique evening event is a must-see for lovers of the area’s history and heritage and includes BSL Interpretation.

For this show at Heywood Civic, there are three prices to choose from for the same seat:

£10: A standard price – fair pricing for the show you’re going to see

£8 A slightly lower price – for people who need it

£12: A slightly higher price – for those who want to help support our programme

You can select the right price for you at checkout.

Visit: https://heywoodcivic.co.uk/event/rochdale-and-district-on-film/

19:30 on Thursday 2 April at Heywood Civic , LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood, Greater Manchester, OL10 1LW

Accessibility

Accessible viewing platform / area

BSL / Sign Language

Wheel chair / pram accessible

RECOMMENDED

Wednesday, 18 March 2026

Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime

This week we have - Music from Tonacliffe Primary School. Directed by Freda Farnworth

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 March 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, 19 March 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.

Free

1.30pm - 2.15pm

Balderstone Library, Balderstone Park, Platting Lane, Rochdale OL11 2HD

Thursday, 19 March 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.

Email: SmithyBridge.Library@rochdale.gov.uk

Free

1.30pm - 3pm

Smithy Bridge Library, 121–123 Smithy Bridge Road, Littleborough OL15 0BQ