MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2026
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- May 27
- 7 min read
An oasis of positivity celebrating the creative arts with previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations.
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2026
Previews: Celebrity Saturday Lunchtime concert at St Chad’s given by Liana Storey, The Great Heywood Silent Film Jam Session, A Musical Celebration of the Hollywood Hit Factory plus National Theatre Live – The Playboy of the Western World.
Review: Three Expertly Accompanied Chetham’s Students at TLC.
Celebrity Saturday Lunchtime concert at St Chad’s given by Liana Storey
Preview by Steve Cooke
The latest in the wonderful Saturday Lunchtime concerts in the atmospheric st Chad’s Parish Church is to be given by given by Liana Storey (International Pianoforte soloist RNCM).
When Liana performed at the concerts at St Mary in the Baum last year, the audience were treated to an amazing concert. It will undoubtedly be an event not to miss.
Japanese-British pianist Liana Storey was born in Kansas City, USA in 2002 to a family of musicians, moving from Kansas City to Glasgow in 2010 then in 2020, she moved to Manchester to study with Dina Parakhina at the Royal Northern College of Music.
In the last six years Liana has given performances of multiple concertos with various orchestras, in addition to solo and chamber concerts. As a recent winner of the RNCM Concerto Competition, she will perform in the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester in June 2026.
During her time at the RNCM, Liana has taken part in a wide variety of projects such as Michael Torke's 'Flint' for two pianos, saxophone quartet, cello and bass; Leonard Bernstein's Mass; John Psathas' 'Voices at the End' for 6 pianos; and Steve Reich’s ‘Radio Rewrite’ with members of the Halle Orchestra. She has also recently taken an interest in Dalcroze Eurhythmics.
Programme:
J.S. Bach - Prelude in G BWV860
C-V. Alkan - Prelude in E flat Op. 31 No. 7
A. Scriabin - Prelude in B flat minor Op. 37 No. 1
D. Shostakovich - Prelude in E minor Op. 87 No. 4
S. Rachmaninoff - Prelude in E minor Op. 32 No. 4
F. Chopin - Prelude in F sharp Op. 28 No. 13
C. Debussy - ‘Prélude’ from Pour le Piano
G. Gershwin - Prelude No. 1 (from 3 Preludes)
F. Chopin - Sonata in B minor Op. 58 No. 3
As with all 12 Noon Saturday concerts at St Chad’s the entrance fee is £6.00 - so exceptional value - doors open at 11.30am when refreshments will be available (Pay on the door) Anyone needing to park close to the building please contact Jill on 01706 639162 or jm_stchadschurch@outlook.com (limited space is available for badge holders)
The concert will last 50-55 minutes.
12 Noon on Saturday 30 May at St Chads Church Sparrow Hill, Rochdale OL16 1AF
The Great Heywood Silent Film Jam Session
Preview by Steve Cooke
The grand finale of the Great Heywood Silent Film Jam Session promises a magical evening of silent film and live music.
A great opportunity to experience classic short films from classics like A Trip to the Moon and The Great Train Robbery, and comedy by Laurel and Hardy, all brought vividly to life with original scores performed by local musicians. This will certainly be silent cinema as you’ve never heard it before.
For this show at Heywood Civic, they have three prices to choose from for the same seat:
£12: A standard price – fair pricing for the show you’re going to see
£10: A slightly lower price – for people who need it
£14: A slightly higher price – for those who want to help support our programme
You can select the right price for you at checkout: https://heywoodcivic.co.uk/book/?show
19:30 on Saturday 30 May at Heywood Civic, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood, Greater Manchester, OL10 1LW
Three Expertly Accompanied Chetham’s Students at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
The 1,185th recital since taking over from the council in 2001 featured youngsters from Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester. The UK's largest specialist music school, Chetham’s offers a co-educational boarding and day school experience for students aged 8 to 18.
Renowned for its rigorous musical training, all students enter through musical auditions. The school fosters a vibrant and supportive community, attracting students from around the world.
Three students were expertly accompanied by award winning staff pianist Ruth Hollick BMus, PPRNCM, PGDip, a RNCM graduate who also performs extensively as a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist for example with Bolton Choral Union and the Haydock Male Voice Choir.
First up was James who played Gregson’s Tuba Concerto of 1976 with verve and confidence (appropriately, Mancunian Edward Gregson is a prolific composer and a former principal of the RNCM). The outer movements were strident and rollicking, whilst the slow middle movement created moments of sadness, stillness and reflection, like tears down the cheeks of a clown.
Youthful soprano, Madeleine sang Quilter’s Five Shakespeare Songs, Op. 23, and three of Britten’s Folksong Arrangements - the slightly sinister folk tale of Little Sir William; The Ash Grove with Britten’s unusual piano accompaniment adding a second dimension to the simple tune; rounding off with the short and delightfully savage Oliver Cromwell. Her pure lyrical tone was like a refreshing English rose sandwiched between thorny but amazing concertos.
Finally, violinist Filip delivered two movements of Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 77. The Passacaglia was powerful and dazzling with a staggering cadenza culminating in a fiendish Burlesque final movement. This was fine playing with panache and passionate virtuosity beyond his years. Stunning and vital, this was a thrilling performance.
Underpinning the whole recital were Ruth Hollick’s superb accompaniments/collaborations. The heritage piano (Challen 8’ Grand 1935) sounded well in her hands and she helped her charges make memorable music for a very appreciative audience.
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. Entrance fee is £6. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
A Musical Celebration of the Hollywood Hit Factory
Preview by Steve Cooke
MGM Story – a Musical Revue at Hope Mill Theatre transports audiences through the history of musical theatre’s golden age, Dives into the tale of how the Hollywood studio nurtured the talent of stars that were to include Judy Garland and Gene Kelly alongside composers such as Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and countless others.
Featuring classic songs from Singin’ In the Rain, Meet Me In St Louis, Wizard of Oz and many more…
With an all singing all dancing cast the show will chart the rise and demise of the studio that gave us the world’s greatest movies and greatest stars!
From £18 – £30
Box Office: boxoffice@hopemilltheatre.co.uk
Box Office: 0161 275 9141
Thursday 28 May – Sunday 7 June at Hope Mill Theatre, 113 Pollard St, Manchester, M4 7JA
National Theatre Live – The Playboy of the Western World
Preview by Steve Cooke
Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton) joins Éanna Hardwicke (The Sixth Commandment) and Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls) in John Millington Synge’s riveting play of youth and self-discovery.
Pegeen Flaherty’s life is turned upside down when a young man walks into her pub claiming that he’s killed his father. Instead of being shunned, the killer becomes a local hero and begins to win hearts, that is until a second man unexpectedly arrives on the scene…
Filmed live on stage at the National Theatre, Caitríona McLaughlin directs this darkly funny tale full to the brim with secrets.
Watch trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW3gLE-1bqI
Tickets from £10.50 (inc. £0.50 cmsn)
7:00pm [Doors open: 6:30pm] on Tuesday 2 June at Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, M24 1AG
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Elliot Gresty clarinet and bass clarinet (RAM & pro orchestras) & Kanako Mizuno piano (Toho Gakuen Japan, RNCM & RAM)
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, 28 May 2026
Bookstart Baby and Bear Club - Balderstone Library
For babies and toddlers up to pre-school age and their parents or carers.
Free
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.
1.30pm - 2.15pm
Balderstone Library, Balderstone Park, Platting Lane, Rochdale OL11 2HD
Thursday, 28 May 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, 28 May 2026
Wild Animals Craft - Littleborough Library
Go wild this half term! Drop in and join our animal inspired craft activity at Littleborough Library.
? For families with children aged 3 and above. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
No need to book, you can just drop in. You don't need to bring anything with you. This activity is run on a first come, first served basis.
Free
1pm - 3pm
Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
Saturday, 30 May 2026
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.
No need to book, you can just come along.
Free
10am - 12.30pm
Wardle Library, 448 Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale OL12 9LH
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