MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 25 JUNE 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- Jun 25
- 7 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 25 JUNE 2025
Jane Austen’s iconic love story is brought dazzlingly to life on the Octagon Stage
Review by Hilary Dawes
This UK premiere production of Kate Hamill’s version of Pride and Prejudice is a hilarious and lively take on the original novel. Directed by Lotte Wakeham and with sharp humour and sparkling dialogue, this witty stage adaptation brings to life the classic story of love, misunderstandings and second chances, whilst ingeniously maintaining every aspect of the original story.
We join the Bennet family as they learn that Mr Bingley, a wealthy, eligible bachelor, has moved into the neighbouring grand house. Mrs Bennet, ever on the lookout for husbands for her four daughters, is beside herself with excitement at the prospect of at least one potential husband finally arriving on the scene. But when it comes to the subject of marriage, the second daughter, Lizzie, is determined to resist the mounting pressures and expectations from society and swears that she will never marry. As her head is turned by the handsome Mr Wickham, and her dislike of Mr Darcy escalates, we are immersed in the world of Regency balls, matchmaking, gossip and scandal.
Jane Austen’s renowned characters are brought to life by a hugely talented cast, some playing dual roles with remarkable skill and alacrity. Ben Fensome had the audience in stitches with his antics as the bumbling and obsequious clergyman Mr Collins, considering himself a real catch as a husband for Elizabeth or Jane, only to appear shortly afterwards playing the handsome and charming Mr Wickham. Mr Collins eventually settles for Charlotte Lucas, played with calm resignation by Kiara Nicole Pillai, who also portrays the haughty and disdainful Caroline Bingley.
In addition to the wilful Lydia Bennet, relentlessly pursuing any red-coated officer in sight, Jessica Ellis plays the larger than life Lady Catherine de Bourgh, commanding the stage and delivering her withering put-downs with impeccable comic timing.
There were standout performances from the remaining cast members with the iconic characters Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy beautifully played by Rosa Hesmondhalgh and James Sheldon. Aamira Challenger and Eve Pereira gave sympathetic performances as Jane Bennet and the mild-mannered Mr Bingley, with Eve also playing the sensible and put-upon Mary Bennet with great sardonic humour. Joanna Holden gave a wonderful performance as shrill and neurotic Mrs Bennet, whilst Dyfrig Morris was brilliant as her long- suffering husband.
The creative team are to be commended for effectively evoking the Regency era through their superb skills in music, dance, lighting, sound, costumes and set design.
Don’t miss this exhilarating production, running at the Octagon Bolton until 28th June 2025.
WHIT FRIDAY BRASS BANDS CONTESTS
Review by Mark Rothwell
Pennine villages hosted dozens of brass bands in the annual Whit Friday Brass Band Contests across Oldham and Saddleworth on the 13th June.
At least ten settlements, including Delph, Denshaw, Diggle and Dobcross, welcomed performers from as far away as Milwaukee in the United States of America and Australia. Audience members also listened to contributions from more local brass bands, namely Wardle Academy Youth, Milnrow and Littleborough Brass.
Up to 25 Milnrow musicians, dressed in black trousers, black shoes and white shirts, comfortable attire for a scorching day, performed Ravenswood to an impressed Delph crowd. They came fourth out of 75 competitors. Milnrow won the Holden Cup and Best Band on March (Diggle); Best Local Band (Dobcross) and Best Cornet (Lydgate).
Influenced by country and western clothing in their dress, each complete with a Stetson, Littleborough Brass performed a piece titled Ravenswood, conducted by Steve Kane. They won Best Fourth Section (Denshaw, Uppermill.
Wardle Academy Youth, perennial achievers, played Glemdene 1968 in the Delph contest arena in front of an appreciative audience. Dressed in black trousers, white shirts and red waistcoats, they were a credit to themselves, their age group and all contest members. They were Best Youth Band ( Grotton, Lydgate and Greenfield) Junior Deportment (Lydgate) Best Fourth Section Band (Greenfield) and Best Youth Soprano Cornet (Lydgate). Delph Band, it must be noted, are celebrating 175 years since their formation, a significant landmark achievement.
A Manchester Anthem at Hope Mill Theatre
Preview by Steve Cooke
‘And on the seventh day God created Manchester’
The bobby award winning A Manchester Anthem by Nick Dawkins is coming home to Hope Mill Theatre for a strictly limited run before it’s London transfer.
Tommy a young working-class Mancunian, who has been accepted into Oxford. He’s the first in his family to go to uni – the first on his street in fact…
Go along on his last big night in Manchester before leaving the city he loves and disappearing South.
Expect humour, heart and a night out to remember in this bold & brilliant examination of class, identify and the communities that shape us.
Standard £23.50
Concession £21.50
Phone: 0161 275 9141
29th July — 2nd August 2025
Hope Mill Theatre, Hope Mill Theatre, 113 Pollard St, Manchester, M4 7JA
Get involved!
Alongside the production Hope Mill Theatre is looking for writers who’ve not had their work professionally staged to respond to the shows themes of identify, class and community with 30min long pieces for the chance to have them performed alongside the show.
A Manchester Anthem: open call
They are looking for four short plays, from four un-produced writers, that respond to and compliment the themes of A Manchester Anthem. For clarity, these themes are class, identity, community, and leaving home.
Those selected will be performed as a rehearsed reading, by a professional cast, after a performance of A Manchester Anthem. One of these will be in Manchester at the Hope Mill Theatre, and three in London at Riverside Studios.
Play scripts should be less than 30 minutes in length, and for no more than 3 actors. Scripts should be submitted as a pdf. They will be read and selected by their literary team. They cannot, unfortunately, promise any feedback.
Writers should be based in or have a connection to either London, or the North of England. They should not have had any work staged professionally.
Writers will be paid £500 each.
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday 25 June 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Saxophone Duo Alvin Wong (Hong Kong & Northwestern Univs & Royal Conservatoire Antwerp) and Calvin Wong (Iowa, Indiana & Texas Universities)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 June 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
Thursday 27 June 2025
Arts Week End of Year Shows
An exhibition of students’ HNC/HND Games Work
Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale Campus, St Mary’s Gate, Rochdale OL12 6RY
Phone: 01706 345346
Email: enquiries@hopwood.ac.uk
Thursday 27 June 2025
Thank ABBA For The Music
Grab your platforms and flares for a journey back in time to when ABBA dominated the charts and ruled the airwaves. Thank ABBA For The Music is an epic two-hour ABBA-fest that captures all of the magic and excitement of one of pop history’s most phenomenal bands.
Expect all of ABBA’s iconic hits including Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Super Trouper, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, SOS, Waterloo, Take A Chance On Me, Voulez-Vous and many more!
Featuring a dynamic cast of outstanding singers, dazzling choreography and interactive video projection – early booking is advised for what promises to be a high-octane extravaganza for ABBA-lovers everywhere.
As always ABBA and 70s fancy dress is optional…but encouraged!
Tickets from £24.00
Fri 27 June, 7:30pm
Doors open: 6:45pm
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Greater Manchester M24 1AG
Saturday, 28 June 2025
Reading Group - Middleton Library
Last Saturday of every month. Discover new authors and discuss books with other readers in this friendly and relaxed reading group.
Books are provided and loaned through the library. Refreshments will be provided.
Adults
You can just turn up.
Free
1.30pm - 2.30pm
Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton M24 6DU
Saturday, 28 June 2025
Kids' Club - Wardle Library
Come along and get creative at our craft table.
Last Saturday of every month. These themed Kids' Club activity sessions will include crafts, activities and challenges.
For families with children aged 4 and over.
You can just come along.
Free
10am - 12.30pm
Wardle Library, 448 Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale OL12 9LH
Saturday 28 June 2025
The Lancashire Hotpots
Get ready for a BIG Saturday night with The Lancashire Hotpots. Bernard and the boys are back to give you a fun filled evening packed with silly songs and the humour that that made the Hotpots famous throughout the land. Expect to be singing all your Hotpot favourites: I Fear Ikea, Egg, Sausage, Chips & Beans and of course Chippy Tea.
Strap yourself in for an unbeatable Saturday night of music and laughs. The good times are back!
Tickets from £18.00
7:30pm
Doors open: 6:45pm
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Greater Manchester M24 1AG
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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