MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 6 AUGUST 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- Aug 6
- 7 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 6 AUGUST 2025
Adidas Skateboarding returns to Aviva Studios this summer with global skateboarding event Build Manchester
Preview by Steve Cooke
Build Manchester returns to Aviva Studios with a custom-built public skate plaza – featuring updated obstacles and a series of free, interactive events for all to enjoy.
Partnering with Manchester's most influential skate communities, Build Manchester is a celebration of skate culture both on and off-board.
Expect open-to-all skate contests, video competitions with prizes, skate schools, custom product opportunities, exhibitions, film premieres and workshops as well as the chance to see adidas' global team riders skate the plaza.
Until16 Aug 2025
The Undercroft, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
HOPE MILL THEATRE PRESENT HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL AT THE LOWRY
Preview by Steve Cooke
20 years after the iconic movie, Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL will have its first UK new production by Hope Mill Theatre at Lowry, Salford!
Based on the hit Disney Channel Original Movie- join Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High as they navigate the highs and lows of first love, friendships, and self-discovery — all while juggling classes, basketball games, auditions and the expectations of their peers. This fresh and exciting new production will transform the Lowry’s Lyric Theatre into an immersive East High experience, with extended staging and on-stage seating that puts the audience right in the middle of the game.
Co-directed by Hope Mill Theatre founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton, with a book by David Simpatico and music adapted, arranged and produced by Bryan Louiselle, this is High School Musical like you’ve never seen it before.
Featuring all the hit songs from the original film, including Breaking Free, We’re All In This Together, Stick to the Status Quo, Get’cha Head in the Game and many more
Matthew Eames, Co-Head of Theatres (Contemporary & Commissioning) at Lowry said:
“Following A Christmas Carol, we are delighted to be working again with Hope Mill Theatre. We all felt there was a real opportunity to build on the success of that show by working together more closely, identifying musical projects that we feel our collective audiences will be excited to experience on our Lyric stage. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is the first of these. It’s a truly iconic show that launched the careers of some huge stars. We can’t wait for the East High Wildcats to come to Salford!”
Audio Described by Caroline Burn: Saturday 5 September 2026 at 2.00pm - Touch Tour: 1.00pm.
Audio Described by Caroline Burn: Thursday 10 September 2026 at 7.00pm - Touch Tour: 6.00pm
BSL by Emma Jane Mansfield: Wednesday 9 September 2026 at 2.00pm and Saturday 12 September 2026 at 7.00pm.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL FRI 21 AUG 2026-SUN 13 SEP 2026
THE LOWRY THEATRE, PIER 8, THE QUAYS, SALFORD, M50 3AZ
The acclaimed stage production of the hit movie The Shawshank Redemption comes to HOME
Preview by Steve Cooke
The Shawshank Redemption will be coming to HOME this October.
Based on Stephen King’s 1982 novella, this thrilling stage production examines friendship and hope behind the claustrophobic bars of a maximum-security facility. The 1994 feature film was nominated for seven Academy Awards.
Adapted by Owen O'Neill and Dave Johns and directed by David Esbjornson, the cast includes a fantastic array of talent, including Joe McFadden, Ben Onwukwe, Bill Ward, Graham Elwell, Ashley D Gayle, Jeffrey Harmer, Kyle Harrison-Pope, Kenneth Joy, Sean Kingsley, Fernardo Mariano, Aein Nasseri, and Owen Oldroyd.
Despite protests of his innocence, Andy Dufresne is handed a double life sentence for the brutal murders of his wife and her lover. Incarcerated in the notorious Shawshank facility, he quickly learns that no one can survive alone.
Andy strikes up an unlikely friendship with the prison fixer Red, and things start to take a slight turn for the better. However, when Warden Stammas decides to bully Andy into subservience and exploit his talents for accountancy, a desperate plan is quietly hatched…
Bill Kenwright Ltd brings their electrifying production of The Shawshank Redemption to Manchester, as part of a nationwide tour.
This thrilling stage production examining friendship and hope behind the bars of a maximum-security facility, will be at HOME from Tue 7 - Sat 11 Oct 2025.
HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place Manchester M15 4FN.
Jonathan Scott, a superstar in the world of organ music plays Rochdale’s JJ Binns instrument in the Town Hall
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
If anyone deserves the title of superstar in the world of organ music, it is Jonathan Scott. As shown in the picture, the hall was packed at 2 pm on a Wednesday afternoon in July.
Trained at Chetham’s and the RNCM, USA and the Netherlands, Jonathan, now Associated Artist at the Bridgewater Hall also gave a live organ solo BBC Prom last year at The Royal Albert Hall.
What is more, Jonathan is one of the best players to present a programme that makes the most of Rochdale’s JJ Binns instrument, as he knows it so well and he is a skilful arranger choosing appropriately from a wide repertoire. He is one of those rare performers who has consummate ability and a popular touch able to engage readily with an audience. He skilfully introduced and guided us through the varied sounds and combinations at his disposal.
We began with Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March no. 4 using all of the instrument’s orchestral qualities. Followed by Handel’s Passacaglia from Suite No. 7, with the original harpsichord music adapted to great effect. Then the Italian countryside was gloriously painted, complete with a convincing storm, in Vivaldi’s Summer concerto from the Four Seasons. In contrast, we had the calm of Saint-Seans’ beautiful aria from Samson and Delilah.
Mendelssohn’s Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Holst’s Jupiter from the Planets again revelled in orchestral colour, epitomizing the town hall organ’s capacity to bring the sounds of the concert hall or opera house to the people.
More Handel, from his Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne also gave Jonathan the opportunity to point out the stained-glass portraits of British Royalty that surround the Great Hall, commenting that we had an outstanding instrument in an equally outstanding building.
The magnificent Widor Toccata crowned it all, incidentally, the only piece that wasn’t arranged by Jonathan.
An exquisite rendering of Puccini’s aria O mio babbino caro was a well-deserved encore that made a summer spectacular in so many ways.
You can see him again on 17 December 2025 for his Christmas offering. Book now to be sure of a place!
Jonathan is also the Honorary President of ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside Organists’ Association founded 1908) who continue their mission to promote organ music and the town hall instrument next on Tuesday 16 September at 1 pm Alex Fishburn (Liverpool Cathedral).
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday, 6 August 2025
Heywood Scribblers - Heywood Library
Join our poetry and story writing workshops. All abilities welcome.
First Wednesday of every month. Free, friendly creative writing sessions. Poetry and story-writing workshops. All abilities welcome, whether you're new to writing or a seasoned writer.
Free no need to book
1.15pm - 3.15pm
Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW
Wednesday, 6 August 2025
Summer Reading Challenge Bird Feeder Craft
Join us at Middleton Library for a fun craft to celebrate the Summer Reading Challenge. Make your own environmentally friendly bird feeder to take home.
For families with children aged 4 and above.
Free
Just drop in. However, materials are limited so the session will be run on a first come, first served basis.
10.30am - 12pm
Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton M24 6DU
Wednesday 6 August 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - More than Melody Ladies choir
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 7 August 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 7th August 2025
Rochdale South Asian Heritage Festival 2025
Join us for a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of South Asian culture, heritage and community in the heart of Rochdale!
Enjoy a full day of Live performances – music, dance, poetry
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Rochdale Town Hall
Friday, 8 August 2025
Second Friday of every month. Discover new authors and discuss books with other readers in this friendly group. Books will be loaned from the library.
Discover new authors and discuss books with other readers at this friendly and relaxed reading group.
Free
Booking required: places are limited, please book by emailing heywood.library@rochdale.gov.uk.
10am - 11am
Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW
Saturday, 9 August 2025
Board games and bookmarks - Smallbridge Library
Visit Smallbridge Library and enjoy some family fun. There will be children’s board games and jigsaws, as well as some picture bookmarks available to colour, too.
There's a variety of games and activities on offer for all ages and abilities.
For families with children of all ages.
Free
Is booking required? No booking required you can just turn up.
10am - 12pm
Smallbridge Library, Stevenson Square, Rochdale OL12 9SA
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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