MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 23 APRIL 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- Apr 23
- 9 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 23 APRIL 2025
Octagon reveal their stellar Autumn/Winter season
Preview by Steve Cooke
The Octagon Theatre have today revealed their latest line-up set to entertain audiences this autumn/winter, with a sensational programme of bold, adventurous and popular theatre.
A timeless comedy by Noel Coward, a chilling comedy-thriller by Alan Ayckbourn, a Dickensian festive classic, William Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, a legendary comedy from Le Navet Bete, and a hilarious new John Godber comedy make up this jam-packed programme, alongside the Awaaz Festival and Family Festival.
The season opens with Noël Coward’s timeless comedy, PRIVATE LIVES (Thu 4 – Sat 27 September 2025), in a co-production with Mercury Theatre & Rose Theatre, in association with Northern Stage and supported by a grant from the Royal Theatrical Support Trust (RTST), directed by 2024 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award-Winner, Tanuja Amarasuriya. Set against the backdrop of 1930s glamour, this comedy of manners promises a hilarious and shocking adaptation filled with razor-sharp wit, sizzling chemistry and timeless sophistication.
This is followed by a gripping production of Alan Ayckbourn’s masterful dark comedy, SNAKE IN THE GRASS (Thu 9 – Sat 25 October 2025) in a co-production with Theatr Clwyd and directed by Francesca Goodridge. Family secrets and buried truths resurface between sisters Anabel and Miriam following the death of their father in this darkly comic thriller that explores toxic secrets we keep.
The Christmas season will see the Octagon present a joyful musical stage adaptation of the favourite Dickensian classic, A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Thu 13 November 2025 – Sat 10 January 2026). Join old miser Ebenezer Scrooge on a festive adventure through yuletides past, present and future in this heart-warming and uplifting tale of redemption. This musical is adapted for the stage by Kate Ferguson and Susannah Pearce (writers of previous Octagon productions Around the World in 80 Days and Treasure Island) and directed by Sarah Tipple, based on the classic novel by Charles Dickens.
In 2026 the Octagon will stage a powerful and chilling new production of William Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, MACBETH (Wed 4 – Sat 28 March 2026) in a co-production with Derby Theatre and Hull Truck Theatre and directed by Hull Truck Artistic Director Mark Babych. In a country ravaged by war and rebellion, three witches bear a fateful prophecy to Macbeth which begin a chain of bloody and brutal events fuelled by his insatiable desire to succeed and sees him set out to become King, by any means necessary. The murderous course to seize the crown consumes him in a great darkness with violence and tyranny and lays bare the human cost of unchecked ambition.
Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton BL1 1SB
Visit: octagonbolton.co.uk
Phone: 01204 520661
HARMONY AT TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
The original choir was founded pre-1980 in adult education as the "over sixties choir", later becoming part of Rochdale Music Service under Isabelle Clare. Around 1988 Freda took over and it was renamed Rochdale Retirement Choir, going independent in the mid-2010s. Then Covid struck, which was particularly catastrophic for choirs in general. However, a relaunch was eventually made with the new name "Harmony” and today was its first appearance at Toad Lane Concerts. The generous acoustics of St Mary in the Baum did them proud.
Conductor Freda Farnworth, a Guildhall School of Music and Drama graduate and well-established local singer, teacher and producer, keeps a tight ship whilst encouraging her charges to challenge choral arrangements in a variety of styles, expertly accompanied today by Graham Chamberlain at the piano.
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 The Dashing White Sergeant, Londonderry air and Fairings filled the acoustic space.
Stage songs followed with I got rhythm, Over the Rainbow and Any dream will do. Then a quick change to the sacred with Non Nobis Domine, Beati, Locus iste, Amazing Grace, 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!
New members would be very welcome. It is good for health, wellbeing and fun - Harmony meets at St Aidan's Church, Sudden on Monday afternoons, 1.00 till 3.00 in school term time.
The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are 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.
The A4 Brass Quartet at St Michael’s Parish Church, Bamford
Review by Graham Marshall
As they left Saint Michael’s Parish Church, Bamford at the end of Rochdale Music Society’s Concert by the A4 Brass Quartet some members of the audience were expressing their astonishment at the unexpectedly wide range of sonority and the technical flexibility that skilful performers like those who make up the A4 Brass Quartet can demonstrate in a concert such as this. I had to assure them that it was nothing more magical than natural talent combined with hours of study and practice that can produce such magnificent music making by dedicated musicians. Just like a String or Jazz Quartet.
As for myself, I had had moments during the concert when I felt that I had been transported back to St. Mark’s, Venice, at that time when the likes of Monteverdi (1567 - 1643 ) and his successor, Cavalli (1602 - 76) were delighting congregations with their latest innovatory settings of liturgical texts as well as secular, operatic experiments and making use of all the acoustic potential of the building to enhance the resonance of the music. Such was the artistic quality and musicianship of Jamie Smith (Cornet), Jonathan Bates (Tenor Horn and Composer/arranger), Chris Robertson (Euphonium/arranger) and Michael Cavanagh (Baritone), who have been playing together as a quartet since they met as students at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester over a decade ago. Each also plays a prominent solo and leadership part in one of the nationally acclaimed Brass Bands of these northern parts.
Their programme was as wide-ranging as their skills. The first part began with a spectacular, scary flourish by Callum Au (who was raised in Blackpool) entitled ‘Crown and Spectre’. This was followed in complete contrast by Bates’ well-appointed arrangement of the Overture: ‘Die Fledermaus’ by Johnann Strauss and ‘A Little Prayer’ by Evelyn Glennie. Then Bates’ arrangements for two pairs of instruments of four of the Two Part Inventions of J. S. Bach s created suitably measured, Baroque musical space to enjoy before the riotous ‘Molly on the Shore’ by Percy Grainger and the gentler strains of Vaughan Williams’ ‘Folk Song Suite’ brought the first half to a happy conclusion.
The second part of the concert began with Bach’s ‘Little Fugue in G minor’ and Bartok’s ‘Six Romanian Folk Dances’ both arr. Robertson. The fugal clarity of the Bach and the precise textural and harmonic framework of the Bartok were communicated with an authenticity as though these contrasting works had both been written originally for brass quartet. A more romantic moment provided by the Bates’ arrangement of ‘Tsuna’ngari’ by the Japanese composer, Kentaro Sato, gave pause for reflection before two of Bramwell Tovey’s ‘Street Songs’ - written for the A4 Brass Quartet’s first London appearance - led up to the climactic, final item on the programme. This was a movement from Jonathan Bates’ ‘Mists of the Mountains’, twenty-first - century music choreographed and delivered with justifiable swagger and aplomb.
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday 23 April 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - (Number 1,133!) Chetham’s Music School - young pianists with Slava Sidorenko
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
Wednesday 23 April 2025
Artwork Snapshots
Ebor Studio have more artists than ever before taking part in their Associate Members Show this year!
To give you more context to all the amazing works, they have organised an evening of short introductions so you can listen to the artists talk about their work.
Come along for a relaxed evening of snapshots in to the creative process of the exhibiting artists. Have a brew or a glass of wine and learn about a varied range of processes in a number of different mediums from ceramics to painting, photography, sound, craft and more.
Free / Pay What You Want
Please email info@eborstudio.co.uk to arrange a visit outside of an organised event or to discuss access requirements.
Ebor Studio, William Street, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL15 8JP
Thursday 24 April 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 are free, Children (aged 4-15) and Concessions £5, Adults £7 and Family (4 people) £20.
Phone: Fireground 01706 341219
Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 10am - 4pm
Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Thursday 24 April 2025
An Audience with Lord Ian Botham
Lord Ian Botham, the former England captain, was one of the most impactful all-rounders of his generation with 14 centuries and 383 wickets in a career that spanned over 15 years.
Through the 1980s, he was part of a golden generation of all-rounders in world cricket. The 1981 Ashes, which England won 3-1, have since come to be known as Botham’s Ashes for his starring performances with bat and ball.
In 2007, Botham was knighted for his services to cricket and to charity.
Prolific with both bat and ball, Ian Botham was the fastest to the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets. He broke the World Record for most Test wickets and finished his career with 5,200 runs and 383 wickets.
Join Lord Ian, as he discusses his amazing career, and everything in between.
Watch the trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF59B4TilE4
From £32
Super VIP – £100
Arrive 17:45 for 18:00 start
To include meet and greet, drinks reception, early entry into the auditorium, professional photo, with Lord Ian Botham printed on the night to take away, premium seating within the first 3 rows and a signed picture of Lord Ian Botham.
VIP – £50
Arrive 18:15 for 18:30 start
To include professional photo with Lord Ian Botham printed on the night to take away, seating towards the front of the auditorium, behind Super VIP ticketholders.
Standard – £32
Arrive 19:15 for 19:30 start
Show starts 19:30
20:15 live auction followed by a break
20:45 Q&A
21:15 PM show ends
Your host for the evening: Cricket legend Geoff Miller OBE
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Greater Manchester M24 1AG
Ticket Sales & Event Enquiries (open Mon-Fri 10am – 2.30pm phone: 0300 303 8633
Box Office visit: arts.events@yourtrustrochdale.co.uk
Friday 25 April 2025
The Magic of Motown
Seen by over a million people, now in its 18th year touring the UK.
It’s no surprise that this show is one of the biggest success stories in British theatre history.
Get ready for all the hits, glittering costumes, dazzling dance routines and outstanding musicianship in this breath-taking live concert spectacular.
You will be going Loco down in Acapulco as we take you back down memory lane with all the Motown classics from artists such as, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, The Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson, and many, many more.
Watch the trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d8AYtJssNc
2h 40m
From £34.00
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Greater Manchester M24 1AG
Ticket Sales & Event Enquiries (open Mon-Fri 10am – 2.30pm phone: 0300 303 8633
Box Office visit: arts.events@yourtrustrochdale.co.uk
Saturday 26 April 2025
A Glimpse into Whitworth’s Past
The Whitworth Historical Society and Heritage Museum are holding another of our very popular Film Shows.
Tickets are available from the Museum, or you can phone on 07914 903208
£7.50p including light refreshments.
7.30pm
Hallfold United Reform, Church, Hall Street, Whitworth.
Saturday 26 April 2025
The Mersey Beatles
Fans of The Beatles prepare to be wowed by the world’s favourite Liverpool-born tribute to the Fab Four.
The Mersey Beatles have been rocking sold-out shows around the globe since 1999 with their truly authentic and widely acclaimed celebration of John, Paul, George and Ringo.
The band – who clocked up more than 600 appearances in a 10-year residency at Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club – brilliantly exude the inner and outer spirit of the original Fab Four.
From the costumes, instruments, cheeky Scouse wit and, of course, that brilliant era-defining Mersey sound, The Mersey Beatles stunning live stage show is a gloriously presented hit-packed celebration of the music that changed the world.
Throughout two unforgettable hours, they take the audience on a fabulous ride through the ‘mop top’ hits of Beatlemania, the psychedelic creativity of Sgt Pepper to the melodic wonder and energy of the Fab Four’s later work.
So, roll up, roll up for this very special ‘Magical History Tour’ – a splendid time is guaranteed for all!
Watch trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OS0zynpKU0
2h 10m
From £27.00
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Greater Manchester M24 1AG
Ticket Sales & Event Enquiries (open Mon-Fri 10am – 2.30pm phone: 0300 303 8633
Box Office visit: arts.events@yourtrustrochdale.co.uk
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