MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2026

STEVE COOKE AATA
18 hours ago
8 min read

previews, articles, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke

MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2026

Previews: Of Mice And Men at Heywood Civic, BULL at HOME, Testament’s Saints on a Bridge from Oldham Coliseum Theatre plus Heritage Open Day Festival.

Review: Rochdale-born David Garvin-Daniels at TLC

Rochdale-born David Garvin-Daniels at TLC

Review by Dr Joe Dawson

This stimulating Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum was the 1,199th since taking over from Rochdale council in 2001.

Rochdale-born David Garvin-Daniels not only plays regularly and teaches at his wife’s school of music but also tunes and repairs, all to a high level; he is steeped in everything to do with piano. Like a Formula 1 racing driver who also tunes the engine!

Following training as a pianist at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, David decided to extend his understanding of the instrument under the bonnet (lid) so to speak, and became an approved Yamaha and Steinway technician, serving many important venues and pianists, notably Angela Hewitt and Sir Stephen Hough.

JS Bach’s Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland, arranged by Busoni requires considerable skill to observe the various levels of ‘touch’ for various lines. David managed this with aplomb, summoning up the range of sounds of grand organ stops and bringing all together in a resounding climax.

Beethoven’s Sonata in E minor op 90 unusually has only two movements, each clearly directed, firstly ‘with animation, and always with feeling and expression’ and secondly ‘not too fast, and with very vocal style of playing’. David fulfilled Beethoven’s demanding requirements and brought out the range of dramatic colours.

Another work requiring sensitive vocal phrasing was Automne op 35 no. 2 by Cecile Chaminade. The beautiful melody conveyed homely comforts and autumn leaves, but the peace (piece?) was shattered intermittently with passionate thunderstorms.

More vivid pictures were summoned up from Preludes Book 2 by Debussy: firstly, La puerta del Vino (no. 3) Mouvement de Habanera, which evokes the gates of the Alhambra in Granada; secondly (no. 6) Générale Lavine-eccentric: Dans le style of a Cakewalk caricatures a popular American vaudeville performer Edward La Vine (who played the piano with his toes) seen in Paris in 1910. Fortunately, Debussy does not call for the removal of socks and shoes.

David clearly relished the delightful portrayals. The relevant distinctive nationalistic rhythms permeated each piece. The great sound effects from apparently random note clusters must be rigorously obeyed! David was faithful to the task.

To top off all this the grand finale was Waltz from the opera FAUST by Gounod – concert paraphrase S.407 by Liszt - the ultimate nineteenth century showman of the keyboard takes a popular tune of the day to explore all the pyrotechnics of the virtuoso. The heritage Challen grand piano sounded terrific, freshly tuned and engineered by the player himself, a recital worthy of a Grand Prix.

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.

Of Mice And Men at Heywood Civic

Preview by Steve Cooke

Set against the harsh backdrop of the Great Depression, Of Mice and Men is the story of George and Lennie, two friends with a simple dream: to own a farm and live off the fat of the land.

There are times, though, when sharp-witted George feels the burden of looking after Lennie, while gentle giant Lennie doesn’t realise his own strength… As they drift from job to job, trouble’s never far away, and before long it’s time to move on again.

When the pair get work in Soledad, California, however, the dream looks set to become a reality. But a tragic turn of events threatens to destroy George and Lennie’s friendship and leaves George faced with an impossible choice…

Adapted by Nigel Miles-Thomas from the novel by John Steinbeck. Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Starring Nigel Miles-Thomas and Michael Roy Andrew and directed by Larry Lamb.

£14.70 - £18.90

Visit: https://heywoodcivic.co.uk/book/?show=687002ACKRJKKDHJCVJHNTSQQNLKVGHSN

7.30pm-8.45pm on Thursday 5 November at Heywood Civic, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW

BULL at HOME

Preview by Steve Cooke

An unsettling examination of workplace bullying, power and survival, Deafinitely Theatre's adaptation of Bull comes to HOME

Deafinitely Theatre is the first deaf launched and deaf led professional theatre company in the UK known for producing quality bilingual theatre in British Sign Language and spoken English.

In this play the company explores Who gets to stay? Who is pushed out? And who decides?

Four colleagues sit in a meeting room. Jobs are on the line. The rules are unspoken, but everyone knows them.

Bull is a strained and unsettling examination of workplace bullying, power and survival. As pressure builds, alliances shift and cruelty surfaces, exposing a system where fear thrives and empathy disappears.

Sharp, darkly funny and deeply uncomfortable, Bull lays bare the human cost of a working culture shaped by competition, hierarchy and silence. How far will people go to protect themselves?

This is Deafinitely Theatre’s second adaptation of a play by Mike Bartlett, following the critically acclaimed and sold-out production of Contractions in 2017 which won the Off West End award for Best Production. Bull is presented in the company’s distinctive bilingual style, combining British Sign Language, spoken English and creative captions and is directed by Deafinitely’s award-winning Artistic Director Paula Garfield MBE.

“It’s not personal. It’s just business.”

A great opportunity to experience this unique theatre company’s production of a challenging play.

To book your tickets visit https://www.homemcr.org/whats-on/bull-5qgr

Thursday 24 September - Saturday 26 September at HOME Theatre, 2 Tony Wilson Place Manchester M15 4FN.

To find out more about Deafinitely Theatre visit https://www.deafinitelytheatre.co.uk/about-us

Testament’s Saints on a Bridge from Oldham Coliseum Theatre

Preview by Steve Cooke

Are you up for something a bit different? If so, I can highly recommend Testament’s Saints on a Bridge from Oldham Coliseum Theatre.

Award-winning writer, rapper, and beatboxer Testament brings his electrifying new show to the stage - a powerful blend of spoken word, hip-hop, beatboxing, song, and theatre.

Stories collide in a raw, funny, and deeply human reflection on race, faith, and community. Directed by acclaimed director Jamie Sophia Fletcher, Testament explores 21st Century Britain searching for something to bring us together.

"I hope this piece reaches people of all backgrounds and perspectives. I've used everything I could in this show, humour, rhymes, beatboxing, the kitchen sink - and my hearts in there too - praying that we start to hold each other up and make everyone feel like they belong." Testament (writer/performer)

From £12

To book visit https://coliseum.org.uk/whats-on/saints-on-a-bridge/

19:30-20.30 on Thursday 10 September at George Street Chapel, 58 George Street, Oldham, OL1 1LS

Heritage Open Day Festival

Preview by Steve Cooke

Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture. It is managed by the National Trust, supported by players of the People's Postcode Lottery, and delivered by thousands of local organisations and volunteers across England. During the festival, historic buildings, community venues, heritage sites and many places that are normally closed to the public open their doors for free.

The 2026 Heritage Open Days Festival runs from 11 to 20 September 2026. It is a nationwide festival lasting ten days, with thousands of free events taking place across England.

This year's theme is "Everyday Histories" and focuses on the stories of ordinary people and everyday places that have shaped England's heritage. The aim is to shine a light on the people and places and showcases local heritage, hidden buildings, community stories, cultural venues and town-centre assets.

Thousands of free events are being held across England and Rochdale has created its very own programme of events and activities, happening right across the Borough.

You can search the full programme of events happening in Rochdale on the official what’s on page of the Heritage Open Days website at www.heritageopendays.org.uk and on Rochdale Creates what’s on page too www.rochdalecreates.co.uk

RECOMMENDED

Wednesday, 2 September 2026

Heywood Scribblers - Heywood Library

First Wednesday of every month. Free, friendly creative writing sessions. Poetry and story-writing workshops. All abilities welcome, whether you're new to writing or a seasoned writer.

For adults, families and teenagers.

No need to book, you can just drop in.

Free

Contact: heywood.library@rochdale.gov.uk

1.15pm - 3.15pm

Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW

Wednesday, 2 September 2026

Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime

This week we have - Callum Bisson piano (Chetham’s & 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, 3 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, 3 September 2026

Bookstart Baby - Heywood Library

Free

Every Thursday during term time. Join Amy and Bookstart Bear for a fun session, especially for babies up to 15 months and their parents or carers.

Booking required: please book a ticket for every 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, they will receive their very own Bookstart passport for you to get stamped each time they come along to a session. For every 6 stamps they get in their passport, they'll receive a certificate.

11am - 11.30am

Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW

Thursday, 3 September 2026

Middleton Lego Club - Middleton Library

Build what you like in this fun and free session.

First Thursday of every month. Come and join our Middleton Lego Club, build your own Lego creations in our themed sessions. Duplo is also available for younger siblings.

Free

For children aged 5–12 and their parents or carers.

No need to book, you can just come along.

Contact: middleton.library@rochdale.gov.uk

3.30pm - 5pm

Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton M24 6DU

Thursday, 3 September 2026

Thursday Reading Group - Spotland Library

First Thursday of every month. Read, share and discuss a range of fiction and non-fiction chosen from our extensive list of book titles in a relaxed and friendly group.

Free

For adults.

No booking required, you can just turn up.

Contact: spotland.library@rochdale.gov.uk

2pm - 3pm

Spotland Library, Ings Lane, Rochdale OL12 7AL

Friday, 4 September 2026

Singing Group - Heywood Library

Join us in our wheelchair-accessible community room. Refreshments will be provided.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a good singer. It’s all about having fun and meeting new friends in a relaxed atmosphere.

Songs sung include everyday pop favourites from the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s as well as show tunes.

Free