MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 28 JANUARY 2026

 previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke

MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 28 JANUARY 2026

Previews: Rochdale Welcomes ITV’s After the Flood Back for Series 2, ORTOA Celebrity Recitals at the Rochdale Town Hall Organ with Soloist Peter Kwater plus Oldham Theatre Workshop and Oldham Coliseum Theatre Launch New Youth Theatre Festival 2026.

Review: A splendid Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum with Tim Kennedy

Rochdale Welcomes ITV’s After the Flood Back for Series 2

Preview by Steve Cooke

Rochdale has once again provided the dramatic backdrop for ITV’s acclaimed drama After the Flood, with filming for the second series taking place across the borough throughout 2025. The production received extensive support from the Rochdale Film Office (RFO), which worked closely with the crew to facilitate filming and ensure a smooth, film friendly experience.

The new series premiereD on ITV at 9pm on Sunday 18 January 2026, bringing national attention to Rochdale’s striking landscapes and diverse urban settings.

Filming took place across a range of locations, including scenes shot on the rugged moorlands of Rochdale and on various roads and streets throughout the borough. To protect privately owned land and support future filming opportunities, the Film Office is using general descriptions of locations rather than identifying specific sites.

The outstanding Rochdale Film Office, part of the borough’s wider strategy to attract and support screen productions, provides a dedicated service for film, TV, and commercial shoots. The team offers:

Location sourcing and management

Liaison with landowners and local services

Support with permissions and logistics

On the ground assistance during filming

The Film Office promotes Rochdale as a versatile filming destination, showcasing everything from dramatic moorland and waterways to heritage buildings, modern architecture, and vibrant townscapes. More information is available at rochdalefilmoffice.co.uk.

Unit Manager Ian McDonald, who oversaw filming for Series 2, praised the borough’s support:

“The whole team in Rochdale has been an absolute delight to work with, overcoming challenges that would have previously made filming certain scenes unachievable. Following this experience, I would not hesitate to actively promote Rochdale as a film friendly borough.”

Councillor Sue Smith cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council said:

“We are proud to welcome productions like After the Flood back to Rochdale. The series showcases the beauty and character of our borough, and it highlights the value of the work our Film Office does in supporting the creative industries. Film and television bring economic benefits, raise our profile nationally, and help tell powerful stories using our landscapes and communities.”

The return of After the Flood reinforces Rochdale’s growing reputation as a sought after filming location, offering a blend of natural beauty, urban variety, and a proactive Film Office committed to enabling high quality productions.

A splendid Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum with Tim Kennedy

Review by Dr Joe Dawson

This splendid Toad Lane Concert at St Mary in the Baum was the 1,169th since taking over from the council in 2001. Whilst the outside temperature was 2C, St Mary in the Baum was comfortable for this piano treat.

Tim Kennedy studied music at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, but he has now been based in Manchester as a freelance professional musician for more than fifteen years. As well as being a piano accompanist, he also works as a professional singer, vocal coach and organist. He is a staff pianist for the RNCM, an official accompanist for the British and International Federation of Festivals and Regional Championship events, accompanist at various schools including the CSSM Summer School, and regular rehearsal pianist; see www.tim-kennedy.co.uk.

Today it was Tim Kennedy concert pianist, which he carried off with aplomb. With authoritative and engaging introductions Tim drew wonderful tone from the heritage grand piano in St Mary’s acoustic, in a range of styles.

We began with the three ‘B’s, Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. He reproduced all the grandeur of JS Bach’s majestic Organ Sonata No. 4 Adagio in Stradal’s adaptation. This was followed by two of the most famous and popular piano works of all time, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata (not Ludwig’s nickname) and Für Elise (dedicated to Elise – much conjecture but identity unknown). It was interesting to note how the nineteenth century Romantic piano style matured through to the full-bodied Intermezzo in A, op 118, No.2 by Johannes Brahms.

Then came an attractive set of Contemporary miniatures with Large Wave by Pamela Wedgwood, Sunsets in Savannah by Randall Hartsell, Sunset by Frederick Magle from which Tim extracted every gram of expression.

The final set celebrated ragtime with Graceful Ghost Rag by William Bolcom; followed by George Gershwin’s song transcription of his own The Man I Love and the Concert Paraphrase on Gershwin’s “Soon” by Maurice C Whitney. This was all particularly well suited to the resident 8 -foot Challen Grand piano of 1935 and which enthralled and delighted the 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.

ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside Organists’ Association est.1908) present Celebrity Recitals at the Rochdale Town Hall Organ with Soloist Peter Kwater

Preview by Dr Joe Dawson

The latest celebrity recital presented by ORTOA at The Rochdale Town Hall Organ features Peter Kwater.

Peter Kwater was born in Blackburn, Lancashire. Having become seriously interested in music at the age of 16, Peter went on to study Organ, Piano and Harpsichord at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, studying the organ with Ronald Frost and Gillian Weir.

Following graduation, he took up the position of Organ Scholar at Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral, where he remained for two years.

On leaving Liverpool, he established his own teaching practice, combining this with solo performing and accompaniment work, for which he is in great demand, having played in many European countries, including Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy.

As a choral director and accompanist, Peter has worked with many local Northern choirs and is currently the Accompanist for St Helens Choral Society.

Peter works as a teacher and accompanist for Wigan Music Service, and until recently, was Piano Tutor and Accompanist at Merchant Taylor’s Girls School, Boys School and their Prep school, Stanfield, Crosby.

Peter was Organist and Director of Music at St Bartholomew’s Rainhill, for 35 years. Since January 2024, he has held the post of Director of Music at St George the Martyr, Preston, and greatly enjoys the many challenges of the role, not least, playing the historic 1860’s Fr Willis organ! His programme to include Pean - A song of triumph by the composer with a standout name:  Soorjo Alexander William Langobard Oliphant Chuckerbutty a.k.a. simply Oliphant Chuckerbutty or Wilson Oliphant – worth putting on any programme! Plus, pieces by John Arthur Meale, Grayson Ives, William Wolstenholme, Nicholas Choveaux and the resounding Triumphal March by Alfred Hollins.

Admission £10 (concessions £8) concerts last one hour. Card or cash at the door or visit www.rochdaletownhall.co.uk/events or iao.org.uk/ortoa.

Saturday 31 January 2026 at 3 pm

Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ

Oldham Theatre Workshop and Oldham Coliseum Theatre Launch New Youth Theatre Festival 2026

Preview by Steve Cooke

A great project from our Oldham Neighbours sees more than 100 young people from 10 local schools and theatre groups taking to the stage at the new OPAN Youth Theatre Festival, delivered by Oldham Theatre Workshop in partnership with Oldham Coliseum Theatre. Running, Tuesday 3- Friday 6th February 2026 at Oldham Theatre Workshop’s brand-new Theatre Studio 1 [JR Clynes Building].

The festival offers an exciting new platform for Year 7 to Year 9 students to explore performance, storytelling, and creative collaboration.

At the centre of the festival is a newly commissioned play, King of the Trees, written by playwright Alice Bunker-Whitney.

The play is inspired by the tragic loss of the Sycamore Gap tree and has been shaped directly through workshops with Oldham’s young people and teachers.

Each school will present its own version of King of the Trees in Oldham with the script designed to be adaptable. Groups are encouraged to add devised scenes, ensuring that every performance is unique and reflects the creativity of the young people involved.

The festival forms part of an expanding programme of participatory arts between Oldham Coliseum Theatre and Oldham Theatre Workshop. Its ambition is to champion creative education, connect local schools, and give young people the opportunity to perform on a professional stage.

Martina Murphy, CEO, Oldham Coliseum Theatre says “creating meaningful opportunities for young people is at the heart of what the Coliseum stands for. The OPAN Youth Theatre Festival allows us to open our doors wider, giving young people across Oldham the chance to explore their talent, build confidence and experience the joy of making theatre together. These are the storytellers, leaders and creatives of the future, and it’s essential that we invest in them now.

James Atherton Artist Director, Oldham Theatre Workshop also emphasised, “Young people thrive when they’re given the space to create, to take risks and to connect with others who share their passion. This festival brings 10 schools together to do exactly that, filling Oldham with a positive buzz of creativity. We’re proud to collaborate with Oldham Coliseum Theatre on a project that not only develops skills but celebrates youth voices and strengthens our artistic community.”

Participating schools will benefit from a comprehensive package including a directing masterclass and continuing professional development, optional dramaturg support, access to a professional venue, technical team and equipment, transport to the festival venue on performance day, marketing materials and ongoing creative and logistical support.

RECOMMENDED

Wednesday, 28 January 2026

Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime

This week we have - Roth Guitar Duo [Emma Smith (Edinburgh University & RNCM)  Sam Rodwell (RNCM)]

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, 29 January 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, 29 January 2026

Bookstart Baby and Bear Club - Smallbridge Library

Every other Thursday during term time. Join Amy and Bookstart Bear for a fun session, especially for babies and toddlers up to pre-school age and their parents or carers.

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. If you or your child are not library members already, you can join when you come along to Bookstart Bear Club.

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

1.30pm - 2.15pm

Smallbridge Library, Stevenson Square, Rochdale OL12 9SA

celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.

https://www.allacrossthearts.com