MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- Nov 26
- 9 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2025
Previews: Storytelling in a Winter Wood Grotto, The new theatre season at HOME, Musical Extravaganza Singin’ in the Rain at the Royal Exchange Theatre and Steve Bewick’s Jazz Briefing.
Review: A Top Quality Recital at TLC from Kansas City Born Japanese British Pianist Liana Storey.
Winter Wood Grotto
Preview by Steve Cooke
Winter Wood Grotto promises a warm welcome, winter stories for all imaginations and midwinter wonder for all ages.
Presented with support from Touchstones as part of Touchstones Live and created by Cornwall’s award winning immersive and highly visual Rogue Otherworld – Winter Wood Rochdale is an immersive grotto experience for families and those who seek the winter magic we often forget.
With a wintry mix of storytelling, immersive theatre, music, and dance, this is a winter grotto experience like no other.
Taking an older, wilder path, this is a grotto that celebrates the seasons and extends the invite to anybody who has an ear for stories of old magic and an imagination that dreams of what just might come to be!
A great opportunity to weave your imaginations with the wonders of winter.
“My excitement for Winter Wood just grows and grows, to gather together, to celebrate nature, and to embrace the seasons, the turning of the planets and our midwinter dreams.” – Old Man Winter
Twice listed in the Guardian newspaper’s Top 10 Christmas Walks, and winner of multiple awards, Winter Wood is a unique festive marvel. The Winter Wood Grotto brings the heart of the Winter Wood to the heart of Rochdale.
It is a grotto for adults as much as it is for children. So, gather all the family, or come alone, the Winter Wood Grotto is for everyone. With a warm spiced apple drink for everyone!
Tickets: £6.50 each (under 3s go free) If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact the team through the ticket link.
11:00
29th November 2025
Memorial Gardens Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL16 1AG
Wheel chair / pram accessible
A Top Quality Recital at TLC from Kansas City Born Japanese British Pianist Liana Storey
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
On Monday at 7:02 am I received an email from the scheduled artiste for the coming Wednesday saying that she had to cancel because of Covid.
However, she was professional enough to arrange for a stand-in, one of her fellow masters-graduates at the RNCM, Japanese British pianist Liana Storey. Emails ensued through the morning between me and Liana, who was on a train from Glasgow.
Born in Kansas City, USA in 2002 to a family of musicians, Liana began playing the piano at the age of four and studied at the International Center for Music at Park University, Missouri, performing from an early age.
After moving from Kansas City to Glasgow in 2010, Liana studied at the Junior Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
She passed her ABRSM Grade 8 piano exam at the age of twelve, winning a bursary for the highest mark for piano in Glasgow. Other awards included Young Pianist of the North International Piano Competition in 2014 and numerous piano categories at the Glasgow Music Festival. Most recently, she has won the RNCM Concerto Competition.
In 2020, she moved to Manchester and the RNCM where she completed her Undergraduate & master’s degrees and is now doing her Postgraduate Diploma and will perform at the Bridgewater Hall later next year. In the last six years she has given multiple performances of concertos with various orchestras, solo and chamber concerts, attended several international piano courses and performed in masterclasses with top class pianists.
With such a glittering c.v. it is perhaps no surprise that at two days’ notice she could produce a top-quality recital in a range of styles (completely from memory!) introduced and performed with mature aplomb.
Scarlatti’s Sonata in F sharp was a glittering start, a fitting celebration of the piano emerging as the dominant keyboard instrument over the harpsichord family. Liana clearly relished the heritage 1935 Challen Grand in St Mary’s acoustic.
This was followed by the three vividly contrasted movements of Pour le Piano by Debussy; an intelligent and passionate interpretation of Beethoven’s Sonata in E, Op. 109; and two of Rachmaninoff’s Moments Musicaux Op 16 - the profoundly sombre No 3 and insanely brilliant and bravura No 4. Not for the first time in this recital this appeared like a concerto minus the orchestra.
A glorious recital from a gifted and engaging performer.
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, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6 cash. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
The new theatre season at HOME
Preview by Steve Cooke
The 2026 season at eclectically exciting HOME Theatre is inspired by acclaimed Fringe performances, returning popular shows, new co-production partners, and strengthened community collaborations across Manchester.
Upcoming performances and events include a stunning musical production of The Lightning Thief - The Percy Jackson Musical; the multi award-winning Mischief, the team behind the multi award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong, rewrite ancient history with their first musical comedy, Thespians and Northern Broadsides bring the stage adaptation of Dostoyevsky's classic novel Crime and Punishment.
For families with children, a treasure trove of treats awaits this spring with opportunities to be captivated by Tales from Acorn Wood, and The Tale of the Loneliest Whale, meet a Singing Mermaid and a Pirate Princess or dive into Professor Jigget's Box of Tales.
First up will be The Home We Made a brand-new piece of theatre that throws open Manchester's front door and invites you in.
Where do you find your people, your family beyond family?
Maybe it starts with a brew that never gets finished, a laugh shared under the rain, or a stranger who turns into someone you can't imagine life without.
For moments like these, a city is built - from voices like these, a story begins.
Created with HOME from HOME community groups and local artists, it's a celebration of belonging, of the bonds that grow between neighbours, friends, and strangers who choose to stand side by side.
On stage, a house rises from the stories we share.
Brick by brick, laugh by laugh, memory by memory, it fills with everything that makes this city legendary, warmth, grit, humour, heart. While Manchester grows taller, its roots run deeper.
A HOME production with award-winning company Malandra Jacks.
Go and see what happens when a city builds a home together.
Wednesday 28 - Saturday 31 January 2026
HOME at the heart of the city centre, at First St, just off Whitworth St West roughly opposite the Hacienda apartments and 0.2 miles from Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink (tram) stop or 0.3 miles from Oxford Road train station.
HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN
MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA SINGIN’IN THE RAIN AT ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
Preview by Steve Cooke
A festive treat for theatre goers, especially lovers of musicals will be Singing in the Rain at the Royal Exchange Theatre.
Director Raz Shaw returns to the Exchange, following his smash hit production of The Producers with this timeless masterpiece, and perhaps one of the greatest musicals ever made, a tap-dancing extravaganza.
The much-loved story of the highs and lows of Hollywood as a radical move is made from silent movies to the ‘talkies’ and all told through the eyes of the dashing film star Don Lockwood played by Louis Gaunt; Lina Lamont played by Laura Baldwin; Cosmo Brown played by Danny Collins; and Kathy Selden played by Carly Mercedes Dyer.
Featuring all the iconic songs audiences know and love, such as Make ‘em laugh, Good Mornin’, Moses Supposes and of course the iconic title song, Singin’ In The Rain, and seamlessly blending song and dance, this much-loved musical will put audiences themselves in the heart of the action on the Exchange's iconic in-the-round stage.
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29 November 2025 – 18 January 2026
ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7DH
Box Office: 0161 833 9833
Website: royalexchange.co.uk
Jazz Briefing
By Steve Bewick
Sadly, this month's jazz briefing comes from Wythenshawe Hospital as I await heart surgery on my leaky valves. Not so much the jazz rhythms of the Samba but more a contemporary bebop sound from Theolonius Momk.
Before entering hospital, I had been enjoying a visit to Home, Manchester to see a stunning performance of James Quinn in a three person take on, Home again.
I had pencilled in visits to the Cinema, Rochdale for screening of, La Sonnabula and National Theare screening of Mrs Warren's Profession at the same venue. But it was concerts of the music and conducting of John Adams that almost broke my heart again when I was laid up in Fairfield Gereral, Bury.
Meanwhile my erstwhile colleagues have been working on new CD releases from David Beebee, Slawek Dudar, Vlado Grizelj Trio, and Ulrich Elbracht. Plans for a venture North of the Scottish Boaders to explore jazz in Scotland with Fiona Mactaggart. Not forgetting local live materials from Jim Faulkner Trio and Pete McSloy and his Sextet. International Jazz with local roots.
All planned for our return to jazz on line at www.mixcloud.com/stevebewick/ all night and day jazz platform.
Steve Bewick
Freelance Jazz Broadcaster
Contact at www.facebook.com/stevebewick/
REC9MMENDED
Wednesday 26 November 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Notability mixed voice choir - piano Lesley Cavanagh
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 27 November 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
Visit: https://www.fireground.org.uk/ Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 10am - 4pm
Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Thursday, 27 November 2025
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.
We look forward to welcoming you and your child.
Free
1.30pm - 2.15pm
Balderstone Library, Balderstone Park, Platting Lane, Rochdale OL11 2HD
Friday, 28 November 2025
Beginners ukulele course - Langley Library
Fridays between 28 November 2025–16 January 2026. Have you always wanted to learn an instrument? Why not come along and join our friendly, beginners' ukulele group at Langley Library?
Booking required: You can book your place by emailing langley.library@rochdale.gov.uk
Please leave your name, contact number and whether you'll be bringing your own ukulele.
Following the success of our adult ukulele group, Langley Bookuleles, we are pleased to offer a brand new introduction to this easy-to-learn instrument. There is a limited number of ukuleles available to loan for library members.
For adults.
Free
2pm - 3pm
Parking: available at the venue.
Langley Library, Windermere Road, Middleton M24 4LA
Saturday, 29 November 2025
Lego Club - Rochdale Central Library
Get creative with Lego and join our free club.
Every other Saturday. Get creative with Lego and join our free club, suitable for all the family. There's Duplo available for younger siblings.
For families with children aged 2 and over, and teenagers.
No need to book, you can just turn up.
Free
12pm - 1pm
Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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