previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDY 01 MARCH 2025
Escaped Alone and What If Only at Royal Exchange Theatre
Review by Steve Cooke
The Royal Exchange Theatre is finding its form again with a double bill of one act plays by Caryl Churchill with Sarah Frankcom directing,
Escaped Alone and What If If Only in typical Caryl Churchill style present challenges for both the audience and the performers with uncomfortable subject matter presented in innovative ways.
Escaped Alone sees four 70+ aged women having tea in a sunny garden engaging In gentle banter and rambling conversation, wandering through such as grandchildren, decimalisation and bird flight, conversations that gradually take a darker turn.
Vi [Annette Badland] hates her kitchen, not surprising since it was there that she killed her husband - she has served years in prison for his manslaughter [or is it murder?]. Sally [Margot Leicester], a retired GP, has developed a debilitating OCD due to her cat phobia. Leena [Saoud Faress] has such a level of anxiety and depression that she can’t leave her own home. Mrs Jarrett [Maureen Beatie] has just wandered into the group and unexpectedly and quite shockingly delivers apocalyptic monologues as the other three are frozen in time.
Each goes on to have their solo moments in the spotlight expressing their inner traumas, but it is the eight monologues delivered superbly by Maureen Beattie that create horrific images of a dystopian world, images that unsettle and linger in the mind. Images such as starving people watching others eating breakfast on TV [a frightening take on Breakfast TV].A dystopia created by apoplectic earthquake, flood, poisoning, famine, tempest, sickness and fire with the suggestion of an underpinning of climate change.
There are excellent performances from the ensemble who do full justice to the verbal detail of Caryl Churchill’s script. The gradually building darkness is cleverly interspersed with moments of great humour delivered with expert timing. They very believably show how well these women know each other as they finish each other’s sentences and have no compunction around addressing each other’s darkest issues.
Rose Revitt’s set is a rectangle, representing a small lawn for Escaped Alone and evoke a small room for the shorter What If If Only.
The second short play, What If If Only, contains a very strong performance from Danielle Henry as Someone, a young woman who is grieving for a loved one. She is stuck in the bargaining phase of bereavement and is confronted by ghosts of possible dead futures, glimpses of what could have been.
Evocatively expressing all the pain and mania of grief we see Someone conversing with her dead partner’s empty chair, pleading for some sort of sign that he still present. Caryl Churchill bleakly emphasises that there can be comfort or escape from the enormity of loss, and bargaining can only be a momentary escape from missing a loved one.
The ghosts (Annette Badland again, as Future, Lamin Touray as Present, and Bea Glancy as Child) appear, and there’s exploration of what might have come about, maybe a future that wasn’t perfect, but better than what we got.
The Caryl Churchill double bill, directed by Sarah Frankcom, continues through to 8 March at the Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann's Square, Manchester M2 7DH.
Escaped Alone: 55 mins
Interval: 20 mins
What If If Only : 30 mins
Phone: 0161 833 9833
Watch trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTe1p54KM5A
Manchester Film Festival 2025 Opening Night
Preview by Steve Cooke
The Manchester Film Festival will open on March 14, 2025, at the Aviva Studios, with a special presentation of the highly anticipated The Penguin Lessons, directed by British filmmaker Peter Cattaneo and starring Steve Coogan. This is the first public screening of the film in the UK. Based on the best-selling memoir, the film tells the poignant and inspiring story of an Englishman’s personal and political awakening during a cataclysmic period in Argentine history, brought about by his unlikely adoption of a penguin.
Directed by Peter Cattaneo, the film blends humour, heart, and historical insight in a way that promises to resonate with audiences.
The Penguin Lessons
14 Mar 2025
The Hall, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
Tickets £9.95
Suitable for ages 12+ - Under 14s with an adult 18+
Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Accessibility features available for this event: Wheelchair Access
This year’s Manchester Film Festival will be taking place from 14 – 23 March at venues across the city centre. For the first time ever, the festival will host screenings at HOME in addition to the Odon Great Northern.
Alongside the Opening Night film, the festival will present a vibrant and exciting programme – showcasing 37 Feature Films, including 15 UK Premieres and 4 World Premieres. All films will be screening in Manchester for the first time. This includes the Manchester premiere of the UK’s Oscar selection Santosh (dir Sandhya Suri), Sundance and Cannes hit Good One (dir India Donaldson) and South by Southwest Audience Award Winner My Dead Friend Zoe (dir Kyle Hausmann-Stokes).
Highlights amongst the UK Premieres include Y2K, A24’s latest horror comedy starring Fred Durst and directed by Kyle Mooney, the latest film from Mother Schmuckers directors Harpo and Lenny Guit, Heads or Fails and Cazzie Davids directorial debut I Love You Forever.
The festival will continue the tradition of supporting and showcasing filmmakers based in the North West and sharing stories from the region. This includes the selection of three films made by filmmakers based in the North West, highlighting the incredible talent emerging from the region. The three films are:
· Departures (World Premiere) – Stuck in the aftermath of a toxic relationship, Benji is trapped in a spiral of addiction and fleeting hook-ups. As he stumbles through visiting the places he visited with his ex, he’s forced to confront his past.
· Kid (World Premiere) – An ambitious music producer races to finish his debut album under a make-or-break record deal, all whilst navigating a tumultuous family life.
· Treading Water (Manchester Premiere) – The story of Danny, as he is released from prison into the tough reality of supported housing.
Once again, the line-up includes a short film programme, which will include a North West Shorts strand highlighting some of the amazing talent in the Short Film art form, in films either produced or made by filmmakers based in the region.
Neil Jeram-Croft, Festival Director, says: “We are looking forward to introducing a wonderful selection of films to audiences at the 11th edition of the Manchester Film Festival. We are so excited to also be based at HOME this year which feels like a perfect fit for our festival, our audiences and the Manchester film community. We look forward to celebrating in March for an exciting 10 days filled with thrilling premieres on the big screen and inspiring Q&As with filmmakers.”
The festival’s annual Industry Programme will be announced at the end of February. The Festival’s Annual Awards Ceremony will take place on Sunday 23 March.
Tickets and passes are on sale now and can be purchased via the official website at manchesterfilmfestival.com.
RECOMMENDED
Monday 03 March 2025
Norden and District Local History Society
Rob Mason ‘Do You Remember When’ etc and Traditional Lancashire Songs/Humour.
Non-members welcome.
£2.50 members , non-members £3.50
7pm
Norden Bowling Club, Trinity Street, Norden OL12 7RD
Monday 03 March 2025
St John's Art Group
We hold an 'arts and craft group' in a side room every Monday afternoon. You are invited to come along, meet new friends, enjoy a cup of tea, and chat.
Everyone is welcome, whether you want to bring your own craft project, learn a new skill or just chat.
You can bring your own craft items, or we can provide some materials and support.
Phone: 01706 631973
1pm - 3pm
St John the Baptist R.C. Church, Dowling Street, Rochdale OL11 1EX
Tuesday 04 March 2025
Rochdale & District Camera Club - Visit to Salford Quays
Session: Visit to Salford Quays
Suggest we meet at Victoria Station and carry on by tram?
Colin knows the area well and has agreed to explain some of it.
You are more than welcome to come down to one of our club nights to see if you would enjoy joining the club.
Visit the link below for the 2025 syllabus.
Phone: Pete Williams 07967 969136
7.30pm
Tuesday 04 March 2025
Knit and Natter
We hold a 'Knit and Natter’ in the Marian Room every Tuesday afternoon.
Everyone is welcome to drop by and call in for a chat with friends, old and new.
The church will also be open for anyone who would like to take time for prayer and reflection.
Phone: 01706 631973
1.00pm til 2.30pm
Saint John The Baptist Catholic Church, Dowling Street, Rochdale OL11 1EX
Wednesday 05 March 2025
Tea Dances with Prima Dance
Join us as we waltz back into a cherished tradition and let the rhythm of sequence dancing sweep you off your feet.
The Tea Dance will fill the Grand Hall every first Wednesday of the month. Immerse yourself in an afternoon of joy and connection, as friends old and new come together to enjoy the magic of dance.
Prima Dance invites you to glide in harmony with your fellow dancers while executing the same routines, moving gracefully in an anticlockwise direction around the room. Each step you take offers a chance to bond with others, making memories that linger long after the last note fades.
Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just looking to try something new, we warmly welcome all skill levels.
Mark your calendars and prepare for an enchanting mix of rhythm, relaxation, and reconnecting. We can't wait to see you back on the dance floor at Rochdale Town Hall.
£6.50 including refreshments
Phone: 01706 924797
1pm - 3pm
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
Wednesday 05 March 2025
Whitworth Historical Society
“Origins & Oddities of English Inn Signs” by Michael Astrop.
(note: - this will be held at the URC schoolroom)Seen by many as works of art in their own right, signs on public houses and inns in England are sometimes the subject of discussion and debate. Many are familiar such as Red Lion, White Hart and the Horse & Farrier whilst others, during and after the reign of King Henry VIII, demonstrated allegiance to the King and the protestant faith with names such as the King’s Head, The Crown etc. Michael explores these sometimes odd names and takes a look at the associated artwork.
Please note - Please check the venue for this meeting before you attend using the website link below or by contacting the Secretary. Some meetings will be held in the Hallfold URC schoolroom as it has a far greater capacity than the museum.
Whitworth Historical Society have a programme of monthly lectures, which are usually held on the first Wednesday in every month, between the months of October and June, at 7.30pm.
Visit the link below for a list of upcoming talks/lectures.
Free but donations welcome
Phone: Secretary 07816 911 556
7.30pm start
Whitworth Heritage Museum, North Street, Whitworth OL12 8RA
Wednesday 05 March 2025
Rochdale Photographic Society
Tonight's session - Carol Leith – The life of a press reporter.
We meet every Wednesday at Rochdale Unitarian Church, starting at 7.30pm prompt (doors open from 7.15pm). The door is kept locked so please ring the bell on arrival.
If you would like to see the club for yourself and meet our members, you are welcome to attend as our guest for up to 3 weeks before committing to membership. Annual subscription is £36 for single or £46 for joint membership.
A weekly room fee of £2.50 is also payable on arrival at the meeting. Refreshments are 50p.
Visit the link below for a full 2024 syllabus.
Doors open 7.15pm, 7.30pm start
Rochdale Unitarian Church, Clover Street, Rochdale OL12 6TP
Wednesday 05 March 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Chetham’s School of Music instrumentalists.
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
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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