MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 21 MAY
- STEVE COOKE AATA
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previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2025
Rochdale Musical Theatre Company’s Shrek the Musical at Champness Hall was a thoroughly entertaining and uplifting show.
Review by Seamus Kelly
Shrek, a big green ogre with sticking out ears, bad breath and layers, was a big hit at the movies with the first in a series of films released in 2001. Along with his, initially unwelcome, sidekick Donkey, the feisty fairytale princess Fiona and a host of fairytale characters. The movie was loosely based on the book Shrek! by William Steig.
Shrek the Musical is a stage musical based on the movie and is produced in Rochdale by the Rochdale Musical Theatre Company in Champness Hall, directed by Seb Lassandro. The story starts with a 7-year-old Shrek being sent off to make his own way in the world by his parents. He makes his home in a swamp until a great crown of fairytale creatures arrive having been expelled from their home in the land of Duloc on the orders of Lord Farquaad who wants to be king. To recover his home and peaceful life Shrek, played superbly by Gareth Baddeley, sets off on a quest to make Lord Farquaad, Ryan Brown, take the fairytale creatures back.
So, the big question is does the musical live up to the existing reputation of Shrek and his quest to win back his very own home of the swamp. In short yes, the adults in the theatre had a great time reliving many of the big moments from the film - who can forget the exploding songbird or Donkey panicking on the bridge “I’m looking down! There are also some brand-new additions to the story including the connection to Snow White and particularly Grumpy. The younger audience members had lots of fun with story, characters they recognised from other fairytale and lots of humour aimed precisely at their level, whether Pinocchio’s growing nose or Shrek and Princess Fiona, played with great style by Alison Baines, trying to outdo each other burping and breaking wind.
There were plenty of songs including big set piece performances and they were all delivered with style and gusto. The music throughout was played live by the excellent orchestra led by musical director Chris Addington and the dancing was choreographed by Nikki Cooke.
The production used a superb array of costumes with the absolute standout being the diminutive Lord Farquaad requiring the actor to deliver most of his performance on his knees so that the costume legs and feet could reach the floor. That role played by Ryan Brown was for me the cream of a plentiful crop of excellent performances. The clever use of stage settings and props was highlighted by the appearance of the dragon in the form of a large puppet with glowing eyes and opera tied by four puppeteers choreographed by Jenya Robinson. On a couple of occasions when staging or props didn’t function exactly as planned the actors turned them to great moments of humour much applauded by the audience.
At the end of the show the audience were on their feet, singing and dancing along with the whole cast singing the classic “I believe” that brought the 2001 movie to a fitting close. Oh Yes, they believed! A happy, if tired, audience came bubbling out of the theatre from a thoroughly entertaining and uplifting show.
To sum up I’ll quote one of Shrek’s most iconic lines; “That’ll do Donkey, that’ll do!”
Rochdale Greater Manchester Town of Culture more plans
By Steve Cooke
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham visited Rochdale as more about the town’s plans for its year as town of culture were revealed during a preview event staged at the town hall.
Mr Burnham took a tour around the recently refurbished Rochdale Town Hall before heading to the nearby Voltalab Studios where he met international artist Shilpa Gupta and a Ukranian community choir as they rehearsed for Shilpa’s exhibition taking place in Rochdale this July as part of Manchester International Festival.
The mayor also got chance to see the new Town of Culture Outdoor Gallery on Drake Street, featuring 24 new pieces of public art. [reviewed in next Saturday’s column]
Mayor Burnham said: “There is so much happening here over the next few months, Rochdale has the most magnificent town hall you could wish to see, such a rich cultural heritage, so we’re going to be celebrating this and all the history during the year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture. It’s easy to get here by public transport, and Rochdale will surprise you, it’s got so much to offer and it's going to be a wonderful year in the spotlight.”
The Greater Manchester mayor’s visit was followed by a preview event at Rochdale Town Hall attended by creatives, artists, arts organisations, businesses and local leaders, including Rochdale MP Paul Waugh, as more was revealed about the spectacular year ahead.
The evening included a performance from Rochdale’s new poet laureate Sammy Weaver who read her poem inspired by the peregrine falcons that nest in the town hall before introducing two new poets in residence - Alende Amisi and Sasha Mostafa who will be capturing the spirit of Rochdale in words.
Sam Elliot from Bolton Council looked back on Bolton’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture which ended in March and explained how they shone a light on existing creativity as well as working in new ways with new audiences before wishing Rochdale good luck for the year ahead.
World renowned Shilpa Gupta took the stage to reveal the title of her latest work that will be premiered in Rochdale in July as part of Manchester International Festival. ‘You Are The Place’ is her upcoming multilingual sound installation which sees the Mumbai-based artist working with local residents to create a thought-provoking sound installation taking in different perspectives in a piece about waiting, persistence and hope.
On Friday 4 July ‘The Herds’ a major new work of public art and climate action by the team behind Little Amal comes to Heywood, with 139 puppeteers bringing more than 70 life-sized animal puppets to the streets, bring the worlds of culture and the climate crisis together as part of Manchester International Festival. Kee Hong Low, creative director at Factory International said he was pleased to be working in the borough: “It’s very exciting to see how the festival will be venturing out beyond Manchester, creating groundbreaking work in Rochdale and Heywood.”
Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council added: “We are in the early stage of a very exciting journey that will see us drawing audiences from across Greater Manchester and beyond to enjoy a fabulous programme of new events and activities as well as amplifying our existing offer. A really inspiring line-up celebrating the culture, history and future of Rochdale and our wonderful borough.”
It was also announced that The Co-Op Congress, the biggest annual conference of the modern-day co-operative movement will be staged at the town hall on the 4 and 5 of July, attracting delegates from across the UK and beyond.
The popular free days out for families - the Feel Good Family Picnic returns in July and August, along with the Street Eat food and drink festival in June, live music and in August the Merhaba Halal Food Festival, a celebration of food, live music and artisan crafts from the Islamic world.
While work is well under way restoring Touchstones Rochdale, the team is working with residents, and in August will stage ‘Side by Side’ a seven-day festival on Rochdale Town Hall Square. In September a Rochdale Comedy Festival will be held for the first time in venues across the borough.
More information was also confirmed about the new urban arts festival to be titled ‘Common Walls’ and staged in September curated by The Butterfly Effected, a community interest company that helps create inspiring art. The event will take place across Rochdale town centre, providing the chance to see new murals being created by some of the UK’s most exciting urban artists who will be in town for over a week, bringing their artwork to life.
Hebe Reilly, director of Cartwheel Arts, talked about their Young Producers project that will also be delivered, supported by the Heywood Town Board, helping young producers develop the skills required to support public events, including Darnhill Festival in July.
A Pride Parade, Teenage Markets, Ignite Fire Festival and much more will also take place over the coming months and on 18, 19 and 29 October M6 Theatre will perform ‘Little Gift’ their heartwarming show about friendship, at their studio theatre and Rochdale Town Hall.
Nationally acclaimed Rochdale organisation, Breaking Barriers are developing a new interactive sound and projection installation that will bring to life the stories of Rochdale residents in February next year. There will be plenty of opportunities for children and teenagers to get involved in planning and participating in Rochdale’s Youth Arts Festival to be staged in spring 2026.
The town hall preview event also featured Tabla performers from Aymen Arts, an atmospheric musical set by Rochdale guitarist Becky Langan and was brought to a close by Rochdale indie-rock band PoolEra who took to the stage for an energetic ten-minute finale.
Find out more about what’s on during Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture and get the latest news as its announced at www.rochdale.gov.uk/TownOfCulture, www.rochdalecreates.co.uk search #RochdaleTownOfCulture on social media and follow @rochdale.creates on Instagram.
Woollen Woods at Hare Hill Park, Littleborough
Preview by Steve Cooke
Woollen Woods will great fun afternoon when Hare Hill Park will be home to some unusual creatures – go along and see if you can spot the owls in the trees, Sammy the snake, the red squirrels and Felix the Fox in this celebration of our links to the sheep of the Pennines and the wool they provide.
It is being organised by Sisters in Stitch a group meeting weekly in Hare Hill House. Woollen Woods was an annual event before Covid, and I are delighted to bring back this wonderful event.
At Hare Hill House in the Park there also will be a free Make a Bobble Workshop - join Jan to make a woolly bobble and hang it on a tree.
If you have any knitting wool or any woollen creatures to contribute, please leave them in the box at the Library in Hare Hill Park.
Free [donations welcome]
Sunday 29th June 2025
1p.m.-4p.m.
Hare Hill Park, Littleborough
APRIL AT TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
April 02: Telemann Baroque Ensemble – Today’s line-up consisted of Peter Collier harpsichord, Alastair Roberts flute, Sarah Snape violin, John Goodstadt viola & Roger Bisby cello, bringing history off the page with: Telemann’s Flute Quartet in d, Frederick the Great’s Flute Sonata No 9 in e, Telemann’s Trio in G for violin, viola and Basso Continuo and Mozart’s Flute Quartet in D K 285.
April 09: Rochdale Harmony Choir originally Rochdale Retirement Choir before Covid, they reformed and developed under the baton of Freda Farnworth. Accompanied by Grahem Chamberlain the opening ‘A Grand night for singing’ established the rich sound of more than 40 mixed voices, (with a striking male contingent and noteworthy part singing), and filled the acoustic space. Stage songs followed, then a quick change to the sacred from Non Nobis Domine, to The Lord Is My Shepherd (a la Vicar of Dibley) and Make a Joyful Noise … and joyful it was, too. The closing set consisted of a selection from Show Boat, The Music’s always there, and the somewhat surprising but hilarious Chick, Chick, Chicken. Well, they do profess a variety of styles!
April 23: Piano students from Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester … performed completely from memory, their performances displayed stamina and musicality beyond their years. Tamara (11), set a high bar with JS Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in G Minor, ‘The Lark’ by Glinka-Balakirev and rounded her set off with seamless silvery threads in the right hand of Schubert’s Impromptu in E flat. Magical. Artem (12) explored the musical contrasts in Mozart’s C minor sonata, K. 457, Tchaikovsky’s April from ‘The Seasons’ and Chopin’s ‘Raindrop Prelude’. Startling.
Sixteen-year-old Mariia’s clean lines in Scarlatti’s Sonata in F minor, K.466 were skilfully controlled and refreshing. Then she let her hair down with Chopin’s Polonaise in C sharp minor, Op.26 No.1. Wonderful.
Sixth former Jack delivered Liszt’s Transcendental Etude No.8, ‘Wilde Jagd’ with aplomb. One translation of the title is ‘Wild Hunt’ and this was definitely what unfolded. Stunning. [NB no picture due to safeguarding guidelines]
April 30: Sinead D’Abreu-Hayling soprano and Róisín Fleming piano … two more of the RNCM’s rising stars brought a varied programme of vocal delights. Four songs of Richard Strauss, opera from Bellini and twentieth century Ned Rorem, followed by stage and screen numbers from Wicked, West Side Story and My Fair Lady. Finally, popular standards by Mancini’s Moon River, L-O-V-E by Nat ‘King’ Cole and Sinatra’s famous hit, Fly me to the moon. Sinead proved herself more than competent in the range of styles, essential for today’s professional singer. Her engaging personality and stage presence make her a winner with any audience.
The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30 pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday 21 May 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Louise Taylor soprano with Jonathan Ellis piano (RNCM & Manchester University)
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 22 May 2025
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
Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 10am - 4pm
Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Saturday 24 May 2025
Author Talk - Martin Gittins - Middleton Library
Martin will be talking about his revised edition of Peggy Smith's book Collected Articles on The History on Middleton.
Peggy Smith was a prolific local history writer, and her articles appeared regularly in the Middleton Guardian. The book was originally published in 1980 and has been revised by Martin Gittins.
Free
1pm - 2pm
Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton M24 6DU
Saturday 24 May 2025
Every other Saturday.
Join our free club and get creative with Lego. Su
Lego club sessions are aimed at children aged 5–12 and their parents or carers. Duplo is available for younger children.
Each session, the children will be given a theme, followed by time to let their imaginations run wild and build.
Free
11am - 12pm
Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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