previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEKEND COLUMN 12 OCTOBER 2024
A wild jungle adventure is coming to the Octagon this festive season
Preview by Steve Cooke
Bolton Octagon audiences will be swinging their way into the jungle this festive season as they stage a new musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s beloved classic, The Jungle Book.
Adapted for the stage by Andrew Pollard, this exciting new family production will be directed by Sarah Punshon with original music by Ziad Jabero (adapter and composer for the Octagon’s 2021 production of Peter Pan, respectively) – coming to the Octagon for a Christmas adventure from Fri 22 November 2024 – Sat 4 January 2025.
The full cast have been announced – with many making their Octagon debut.
Ashley D Gayle (Bear Snores On, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, A Christmas Carol – On Air, Theatre Royal Windsor) as Bagheera; Harveen Mann–Neary (UK tour of School of Rock, Asha’s Story, Icon Theatre) as Akeela; Rachel Marwood (Greatest Days Musical, Kindred Partners, The Possibility of Colour, New Adelphi Theatre) as Shere Khan; Kiara Nicole Pillai (Romeo and Juliet, Petersfield Shakespeare Festival, Beauty and the Beast, Stephen Joseph Theatre) as Mowgli; and Charlie Ryan (Spring & Port Wine, Octagon Theatre Bolton, Beauty and the Beast, Stephen Joseph Theatre) as Baloo. Completing the cast, Daniella Barratt makes her professional stage debut as on-stage swing; and Imogen Khan (Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas, Lyric Hammersmith/ Pins and Needles, I Want My Hat Back Trilogy, Little Angel Theatre and tour) joins as off-stage swing.
The creative team includes Katie Scott (set and costume designer); Alice Brown (musical director and additional orchestrations and arrangements); Sundeep Saini (movement director); Tim Skelly (lighting designer); Kate Harvey (sound designer); Kaitlin Howard (fight director); Olivia Barr (casting director).
The Jungle Book director, Sarah Punshon, said: “I’m so excited to have this awesome cast on board. We’ve been plotting all kinds of ways for them to swing, climb, and slide their way through the jungle this Christmas, and I can’t wait to get started! With Andrew’s fantastic script and Ziad’s stunning songs, I know the Bolton audience are in for a treat Join Mowgli and friends Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther, a gang of mischievous monkeys and a pack of wily wolves as Mowgli learns the law of the jungle, in this enchanting new musical adaptation.”
Funny, exciting, and wildly entertaining this new musical adaptation will be filled with catchy songs promising a captivating and joyful experience for the whole family.
The Jungle Book comes to the Octagon from Fri 22 November 2024 – Sat 4 January 2025.
Tickets start from £15 and are on-sale now.
Find out more and book tickets via the Octagon Box Office on 01204 520661 or at octagonbolton.co.uk
SEPTEMBER AT TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
September 04: Voci Voices - a glorious songfest from a talented troupe. Pictured from left: Jonathan Ellis piano, Eric Cymbir tenor, Elizabeth Ambrose soprano, Margaret Ferguson mezzo and Mackenzie Paget baritone. A welcome return of this award-winning troupe. There were international hints too, with performers’ roots in Ghana, Poland, Scotland and Wales all sharing a platform, accompanied by English pianist Jonathan Ellis who at times reproduced the full orchestra or sensitively supported the vocal harmonies. Sparkling show songs, inspirational sacred music, traditional and folk songs, dramatic opera excerpts, finally popular standards. Plus, a well-deserved encore of ‘I wish you love’.
September 11: Telemann Baroque Ensemble: the line up this time was Alastair Roberts flute, Kevin O’Sullivan bassoon, Elaine da Costa & Sarah Snape violins, John Goodstadt viola, Roger Bisby cello and Peter Collier harpsichord. GB Pergolesi Flute Concerto in G major, JF Fasch Sonata in g minor (flute, violin, obbligato bassoon and cello), GP Telemann Concerto in A minor for strings, and Double Concerto in F for Flute and Bassoon. All really appreciated by the audience, which included music students from Heywood’s Holy Family College. Another treat of great music brought to life by enthusiastic players in a superb acoustic.
September 18: Anne Butterworth soprano & flute, Stephen Taylor baritone & guitar and Elaine Marsden piano & red recorder: have each performed and directed extensively in this area, making significant contributions to entertainment, culture and well-being to the borough. A programme of miscellaneous songs from Steve and Anne was punctuated by duets from G&S, Mozart and Loesser. A surprise instrumental trio from all three showed their versatility. Accompanist Elaine also contributed an appealing solo interlude with Gershwin’s Let’s call the whole thing off. Thankfully, they didn’t call this thing off as they gave a thoroughly enjoyable and varied concert.
September 25 Tim Kennedy piano: no stranger to Toad Lane Concerts, having accompanied several singers and as a gifted tenor soloist. Today he was a piano soloist in his own right (what is more, standing in at very short notice) and gave a wonderful recital.
Tim was organ scholar at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and has now been based in Manchester as a freelance professional musician for more than fifteen years. He is a staff accompanist at the RNCM and an official accompanist for Festivals, Regional events and competitions. [For further information, see www.tim-kennedy.co.uk]. Mozart, Debussy, Bridge and Badajanian were complemented unusually by the Suite from HBO tv series “Succession” by Nicholas Brittell and a charming Burt Bacharach medley.
The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30 pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
Springhill Hospice’s 3 Reservoir Ramble raises over £37,000
By Steve Cooke
Springhill Hospice is a Rochdale based charity whose vision is that every adult in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale with a life-limiting condition is supported to live and die well, according to their wishes. The Hospice is a 16 bedded purpose-built facility offering specialist palliative care to patients and their loved ones, from diagnosis to end-of-life. They also run Hospice at Home Services, a Community Outreach Team and have a Wellbeing facility for day therapies.
On the 14th of September, the pathways of Rochdale became a sea of green as over 560 supporters of Springhill Hospice came together to walk the Three Reservoir Ramble. The start and finish lines were at the ever-supportive Oxford pub who had gone all out to lay on food, drinks and entertainment for the ramblers, perfectly book-ending the 12k walk around Hamer Pasture, Brown House Wham and Watergrove Reservoirs.
Community Engagement Office for Springhill, Jo Ali said:
“Last year was our first ramble and people really did love it, so we were hoping to have a good turn out again, but we were blown away by the numbers this year. Seeing 560 Springhill shirts all walking together and hearing 560 voices all laughing, chatting and reminiscing about the loved ones they were walking in memory of was truly humbling. With over £37,000 raised and money still coming in, this has been the most successful event of its kind for us and that’s all thanks to our amazing supporters.”The total was even more impressive thanks to sponsorship of the t-shirts from Rochdale Training, donations of refreshments from local supermarkets and vendors and even a free warm up session from local Zumba instructor, Caroline Longden. With several photographers giving their time and skills for free on the day too, this really was a coming together of the local community for a great cause.
Tom McNeeney from the Oxford pub said:
“What everyone did as a community for the Hospice with the Ramble is incredible & we are honoured to have played our small part in such a truly unbelievable day. We’ve all shown the world what this town really is & where its heart belongs, and that we are formidable in our compassion & staggering in our generosity. This is a community of kindness & of love.”
The money raised on the day will fund just short of 5 days of Springhill Hospice providing free palliative care to those in our community in need, and whilst that is invaluable, the spirit and good will on the day from everyone involved is priceless.
RECOMMENDED
Saturday 12 October 2024
Riverside Artisan Market
Running on the second Saturday of every month, the successful Riverside Artisan Market returns again to Rochdale Riverside this weekend.
A big thankyou to all our customers for helping us to grow this market every month.
A warm welcome is waiting from over 30 small independent businesses who grow, rear, make or bake what you see. All different, all quality and made by the people you speak to.
From artisan meats to hand made fudge and glass creations.
From room sprays, wax melts, handmade soaps and quirky gift ideas
From preserves, chutneys, oils and vinegars to delicious savoury pies, sweet treats and fresh fruit and veg and so much more.
Come say hi, let us know what you think and while you’re here check out the great Rochdale Riverside and the other lovely places Rochdale Town Centre has to offer.
Free
10am - 4pm
Riverside Retail & Leisure Complex, Riverside Walk, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1TR
Saturday 12 October 2024
In The Name of Love: The Diana Ross Story
The world’s premier show in celebration of Diana Ross and the Supremes.
Prepare to be taken on a spellbinding journey through one of the greatest musical stories ever told.
In The Name of Love is a chronological history of hits from a career resulting in over 100 million record sales, fronted by two international Diana Ross performers Cheri Jade (The Supremes) and Tameka Jackson (solo career).
Where Did Our Love Go, Baby Love, Stop in The Name of Love, Reflections, You Keep Me Hanging On, You Can’t Hurry Love, Stoned Love, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, All of My Life, Touch Me In The Morning, Upside Down, My Old Piano, I’m Coming Out, Chain Reaction, and so many more!
From £26.50
7:30pm Doors open: 7pm
Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Manchester M24 1AG
Sunday 13 October 2024
Amazing Animals
If you love animals, then you are going to love this show!
A show dedicated to and celebrating all creatures great and small. The only show around where you get to see life-sized crocodiles, sloths, reindeer, dinosaurs, penguins, orangutans and maybe even a spraying skunk bursting out onto the stage right before your very eyes.
This heart-warming show is packed full of music, comedy and amazing animal effects, suitable for all ages from toddlers to grown-ups.
Bring your family along and have a roarsome time!
From £16
12pm Doors open: 11:30am / 3:30pm Doors open: 3pm
Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Manchester M24 1AG
Sunday 13 October 2024
Art by The Lake
Free Art Exhibitions.
Meet your local artists, watch demonstrations and treat yourself to stunning original artwork by:
Elizabeth White.
Seamus Kelly.
Chris Rainham.
Neela Jackson.
Victoria Ash.
Deborah Crawford.
FREE
Phone: Elizabeth White 07801 433970
Visit: http://www.lizwhiteart.com
11am - 4pm
RSPCA Animal Centre, Hollingworth Lake, Rakewood Road, Littleborough OL15 0AQ
Monday 14 October 2024
Grandparent Storytime
Calling all 0 to 5 year olds and their grown-ups to come and listen to stories read by Grandparents who will bring the story to life for the children in our communities.
If you are interested in volunteering for a story-time role, please see a member of staff or visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/libraries/library-volunteers
Free
Phone: Tracey Tomlinson 07356 182030
10am to 11am
Langley Library, Langley Children's Centre, Windemere Road, Manchester M24 4LA
Tuesday 15 October 2024
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
Tuesday 15 October 2024
Rochdale & District Camera Club
Astro photography – Cowm res.
We meet every Tuesday at 8pm at Syke Methodist Church Hall.
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 2024 syllabus.
Phone: Pete Williams 07967 969136
8pm
Syke Methodist Church Hall, Syke Road, Rochdale OL12 9TF
Wednesday 16 October 2024
Rochdale Photographic Society
Tonight's session - L&CPU Folio North B.
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.
£2.50 for room fee
Phone: Secretary - Ed Whitaker
Doors open 7.15pm, 7.30pm start
Rochdale Unitarian Church, Clover Street, Rochdale OL12 6TP
Wednesday 16 October 2024
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have Margaret Ferguson soprano (Ghana, RNCM & Poland), Jonathan Ellis piano (Manchester University & 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… during the pandemic!
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
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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