MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 6 MAY 2026
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- 2 minutes ago
- 9 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 06 MAY 2026
Previews: Cantare Choir, The Octagon Bolton launch event for its exciting new season for 2026 – 27 plus Solve-Along-A Murder-She-Wrote at Heywood Civic
Review: An admirable clarinet and piano duo at TLC
CANTARE CHOIR
By Steve Cooke
The wonderful Cantare Ladies Choir was originally founded in 1982 as the Debrose Choir then in 2009, they changed their name to Cantare.
Cantare includes women of all ages and from all walks of life with a firm policy of “no superstars, just people who love to sing and who want to do it well”.
As anyone who has been fortunate to attend one of their concerts will attest the repertoire is exciting and wide ranging, from pop standards and songs from the shows to classical and contemporary choral pieces. “We enjoy a challenge, strive to make a great sound and have a brilliant time whilst we’re doing it.”
The choir is looking attract more singers to join them this year as they go from strength to strength.
Choir practices (7.30-9.30 on Wednesday evenings at Norden Methodist Church) are relaxed and fun. They don’t hold auditions, and welcome women of all ages to go along and join in.
If you would like information about joining the choir, visit: https://cantarechoir.wordpress.com/join-cantare/choir
Cantare perform regularly at concerts and other events throughout the year with their next concert being on 7pm, 4 July at Rochdale Unitarian Church on Clover Street: https://cantarechoir.wordpress.com/future-events/
As they have some significant birthdays in the choir this year, the programme will be largely made up of favourite pieces chosen by the choir members. Tickets will be priced at £13 (available soon on Eventbrite) and will include hot drinks and birthday cake.
An admirable clarinet and piano duo at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
Johanna Shu Ting Leung is a fine clarinettist who has appeared at these concerts since her student days at the RNCM, where she gained her master’s. From early success with the 66th Hong Kong School Music Festival solo clarinet competition she has performed internationally in Reykjavik, Keflavik, Berlin, England and Hong Kong. Luckily for us she is active in Northwest England and has given solo and chamber music performances in various venues and been invited to several high-profile festivals and performances and has participated in masterclasses with world class musicians.
She directs the Saxophone Ensemble in Bolton Music Service and Stonyhurst College, teaching both saxophone and clarinet. She has delivered workshops throughout the Northwest and was selected in the Sony Music Leadership Residency Programme in 2025, which invite selected professionals to challenge and reimagine the industry.
Joanna teamed up with Chichi Li (Shiqi Li) a UK-based collaborative pianist who studied for a master’s in piano accompaniment at the RNCM under David Jones and Kathryn Stott from 2023, graduating with Distinction in 2025. She has performed in leading concert halls and cultural venues, including Wigmore Hall and participated in masterclasses with leading musicians.
Following graduation, she continued to provide accompaniment support for the RNCM and also the University of Sheffield, where she serves as an assessment collaborative pianist for chamber music modules and as accompanist for final recitals. See <chichilipiano.com>.
This was a truly well-matched duo recital that demanded and got equal skills and musicianship from each with the added dimensions of rapport and mutual understanding.
Sonata in Re for Clarinet and Piano by Nina Rota was an excellent vehicle for them. The composer, who died in 1979, is well known for his film scores such as the Godfather movies. Here his movements flowed beautifully with tremendous variety of tone from both players conveying some unwritten tales.
The Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Opus 120 No.2 by Brahms has all the thrilling and challenging power you might expect from one of his last works, all of which was splendidly delivered by the duo.
They finished off with a delightful arrangement of Chopin’s Etude Op.10 No.3.
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.
The Octagon Bolton launch event for its exciting new season for 2026 – 27
By Hilary Dawes
The Octagon’s new season was announced at the launch event, promising a packed programme of entertainment, sure to appeal to audiences of all ages.
Artistic director Lottie Wakeham opened the evening with a presentation of upcoming productions, beginning with “Murder for Two” (5 - 27 June), described as a hilarious, fast-paced, musical madcap murder mystery with a twist, in which two actors play thirteen characters - and the piano!
From 20 - 22 August, The Trials by Dawn King is brought to the main stage by Young Octagon participants and adult community actors. This promises to be a bold and thought-provoking look at responsibility for environmental change, where young people seek to deliver justice (or revenge?). Having performed a short extract from the play, some young cast members were invited to discuss their thoughts as they began the rehearsal process.
Lottie Wakeham then invited writer Tim Firth and directors Kash Arshad and Sarah Punshon onto the stage to present three more upcoming productions.
Running from 4 September to 3 October, the Octagon presents the 30th anniversary production of Ayub Khan-Din’s modern classic, East is East. Set in Salford in 1971 this portrait of a British-Pakistani family blends razor-sharp comedy with moments of shocking honesty. Kash Arshad talked about his experience of directing the play and how the story resonated so similarly with his own background and upbringing.
From 8 - 31 October, Calendar Girls the Musical comes to the Octagon stage. Tim Firth, writer of the original play and record-breaking movie, gave a fascinating insight into what initially prompted him to write the play, and how his collaboration with Gary Barlow came about to create the award-winning musical. He also shared his thoughts on the challenges of producing a play of this nature in the round! Packed full of unforgettable songs, this feel-good show continues to prove that there is no such thing as an ordinary woman.
Finally Lottie introduced director Sarah Punshon to announce this year’s festive show, Cinderella: A Fairytale (20 November 2026 – 9 January 2027). This well-loved classic is brought bang up to date with a funny, high energy show - a story full of music and magic that is sure to charm every audience member. Sarah is making a triumphant return to the Octagon after her award-nominated hit production of the Jungle Book in 2024.
For younger kids Sammy the Snowman’s Christmas Surprise is sure to delight little ones from the age of three. Expect big laughs, silly songs, shouting out, a water pistol or two and lots of Christmas magic, from 9 – 24 December.
Also in 2026 (3 – 7 November) comes The Highwayman – a rip-roaring historical yarn set in 18th century Yorkshire, promising a grand mix of high adventure and soul-searing romance,
2027 sees a return to Shakespeare, with another of the bard’s famous tragedies: Romeo and Juliet. Don’t miss this moving and unforgettable production of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy. The play runs from 4 – 27 February 2027 and will feature a number of school friendly performances to enable students to experience the plays they study, live on stage.
In addition to all this, there are music shows, celebrity talks and more to look forward to.
Bolton Comedy Festival (8 – 21 July 2026) will bring us some of the biggest names in comedy, including Ed Byrne, Lucy Porter, Lucy Beaumont and many others.
Visit: https://octagonbolton.co.uk/
Solve-Along-A Murder-She-Wrote at Heywood Civic
Preview by Steve Cooke
Cult hit event Solve-Along-A Murder-She-Wrote comes to Heywood Civic with an interactive screening of the classic Murder, She Wrote episode ‘A Fashionable Way to Die’. Jessica Fletcher visits a designer friend in Paris – but soon there’s a murder that only she (or you!) can solve!
Solve-Along-A Murder-She-Wrote promises a unique and hilarious night featuring games, prizes and audience participation, with special permission from NBC Universal Television. See the show Time Out rated one of 2021 & 2019’s 50 Great Nights Out in London that has played to sell-out audiences across the UK, Ireland, the USA and Australia, as well as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023-2025, Adelaide Fringe 2025 and the Murder, She Wrote Festival 2025 (California).
Hosted by super-fan Tim Benzie, Solve-Along-A Murder-She-Wrote features:
A race to solve to the crime, via the Fameometer and the Suspiciometer
A Cabot Cove quiz!
A singalong to the theme tune with new lyrics!
Clips and biographies of the campy guest stars!
Tim Benzie is obsessed with Murder, She Wrote, having watched the original series when it was first broadcast, and now relishing the repeats on television everywhere. An award-winning playwright and co-writer of the Royal Vauxhall Tavern’s 2017-2025 pantos, including the Offie (Off West End) Award-winning Tossed in 2023, he is also the co-producer of PopHorror events.
Watch trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JWrwlqCwPQ
Price: pay What You Can
Standard: £21
Lower: £15.75
Higher: £23.10
All prices are inclusive of booking fee.
To book tickets visit: https://heywoodcivic.co.uk/book/?show
Age recommendation: 16+
Content warning: Contains strong language/swearing
Show runs for 120 minutes
7.30pm on Friday 29 May at Heywood Civic, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood, Greater Manchester OL10 1LW
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday, 6 May 2026
Heywood Scribblers - Heywood Library
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.
For adults, families and teenagers.
No need to book, you can just drop in.
Free
1.15pm - 3.15pm
Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW
Wednesday, 6 May 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Madeleine Brown piano (RNCM)
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
Wednesday, 6 May 2026
Heywood Scribblers - Heywood Library
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.
For adults, families and teenagers.
No need to book, you can just drop in.
Free
1.15pm - 3.15pm
Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW
Thursday, 7 May 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
Thursday, 7 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, 7 May 2026
Thursday Reading Group - Spotland Library
First Thursday of every month. Read, share and discuss a range of fiction and non-fiction chosen from our extensive list of book titles in a relaxed and friendly group.
For adults.
No booking required, you can just turn up
Free
2pm - 3pm
Spotland Library, Ings Lane, Rochdale OL12 7AL
Friday, 8 May 2026
Reading Group - Heywood Library
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.
For adults.
Booking required: places are limited, please book by emailing heywood.library@rochdale.gov.uk.
Free
10am - 11am
Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Lego Club - Littleborough Library
Come and join our Lego sessions.
For families with children aged 2 years and above. Lego club sessions are aimed at children aged 5–12 and their parents or carers. Duplo is available for younger children.
Each session, the children will be given a theme, followed by time to let their imaginations run wild and build.
No need to book, you can just come along.
Free
11am - 12pm
Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
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