WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 17 JANUARY 2026
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 17 JANUARY 2025
PREVIEWS: Home, I’m Darling at The Curtain Theatre, Romeo & Juliet at Middleton Arena, A disabled-led comedy night curated and hosted by Wheels and the Legman and Mozart, Made in Manchester
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Home, I’m Darling at The Curtain Theatre
Preview by Steve Cooke
Following their highly successful production of Improbable Fiction, Home, I’m Darling arrives at The Curtain Theatre - a glossy 1950s dream hiding very modern cracks. Polished smiles, perfect aprons, and a lifestyle that might not be quite as idyllic as it seems.
A sharp, stylish comedy that delves into one couple’s attempt to live the perfect 1950s life — in the modern world. Judy has left her career to become the ultimate vintage housewife, complete with retro décor, homemade lunches, and a smile at the door. But as financial pressures mount and reality creeps in, cracks begin to show beneath the polished surface.
Written by Laura Wade, Home, I’m Darling is a sharp, witty and darkly comic play that asks a deceptively simple question: what if you could have the perfect 1950s housewife lifestyle… today?
Stylish, funny and unsettling in equal measure, this modern comedy explores love, identity and the cost of nostalgia in a world that has moved on.
Director Sharon Drummond says:
"I am thrilled to be directing this show as I know it had a good run by The National Theatre in the West End with a great cast in 2019.
Reading the script cemented my thoughts about what I could do with it!
It touches several issues that couples have to consider in relationships, especially around gender roles and family structures, with both humour and pathos. Judy and Johnny are a little different to most couples..."
£10 + 85p booking fee
Home, I'm Darling
Saturday 21st February 2026 - Saturday 28th February 2026
The Curtain Theatre, 47 Milkstone Road, Rochdale OL11 1EB
Tel: 01706 642008
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Romeo & Juliet at Middleton Arena
Preview by Steve Cooke
A full-scale production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is coming to the Middleton Arena.
In the heat of Verona, two young lovers are torn between loyalty and desire, family and fate. As the deadly feud between the Montagues and Capulets rages on, Romeo and Juliet risk everything for a love that defies their world. But as passions ignite and tempers explode, their story hurtles toward its tragic and unforgettable end.
An opportunity to experience Shakespeare’s greatest love story in all its breathtaking intensity, with fierce sword fights, searing emotion, and a romance that burns against the odds.
From £17.85
12.30pm and 7.30pm Thursday 5 March 2026
Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Greater Manchester, M24 1AG
Accessibility
Accessible viewing platform / area
Wheel chair / pram accessible
A disabled-led comedy night curated and hosted by Wheels and the Legman
Preview by Steve Cooke
Get ready for a groundbreaking disabled-led free comedy event that challenges stereotypes and pushes the boundaries of humour. By putting disability at the forefront of their comedy show, hosts Wheels and the Legman aim to break down barriers and debunk misconceptions, all while crippling you with laughter.
Prepare to be captivated as brilliant comedians and performers Matty Oxley, Shawnee, McClaine Bernie and Sam Serrano bring their own unique experiences and perspectives to the stage.
With razor-sharp wit and clever punchlines, they fearlessly tackle topics that some might consider taboo, offering a refreshing and enlightening alternative to mainstream comedy.
Book your FREE ticket: https://factoryinternational.org/whats-on/crippled-with-laughter/
6.30pm
Monday 23 January 2026
The Social, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQ
You can approach Aviva Studios along Water Street (coming from Quay Street) or along Liverpool Road (coming from Deansgate or Castlefield). Both entrances to the building have double sets of glass doors.
Mozart, Made in Manchester
Preview by Steve Cooke
Manchester Camerata’s wonderful Mozart, Made in Manchester series continues in February at the Stoller Hall.
With over 3 million streams on Spotify, European tours, 5-Star reviews, as well as being made Classic FM’s record of the week numerous times, Mozart and Manchester Camerata are a bit of a ‘thing’ at this point.
Most definitely, it is down to the amazing chemistry with their world renowned Music Director, Gábor Takács-Nagy. The drama, joy and emotion that Gábor and the musicians get out of Mozart is simply electric – I have witnessed this first hand if you haven’t, now is your chance.
For this edition, they perform Mozart’s Arias with one of the most exciting sopranos around, Ying Fang, a principal soprano at the Metropolitan Opera, with The New York Times praising her as “indispensable at the Met in Mozart”.
The Financial Times has also described her as “a voice that can stop time, pure and rich and open and consummately expressive”.
This concert marks the launch of the next phase of Mozart, Made in Manchester. Over the next three years, they will be performing all of Mozart’s last symphonies, as well as recording some of his Concert Arias with Ying Fang. Much like Mozart’s Piano Concertos, these pieces match the theatre and dramatic energy that music director, Gabor, embodies.
Don’t miss what is set to be a breathtaking rendition of some of Mozart’s greatest works.
Programme
Mozart Symphony No. 36 ‘Linz’
Mozart Symphony No. 40
Mozart ‘Al desio, di chi t’adora’
Mozart ‘Misera, dove son?’
Performed by
Conductor Gábor Takács-Nagy
Soprano Ying Fang
Mozart, Made in Manchester
£27.50 - £40. FTE £5. Gorton Residents £3
Saturday 21 February 2026, 7:30pm
The Stoller Hall, Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1DA
RECOMMENDED
Saturday, 24 January 2026
Reading Group - Middleton Library
Last Saturday of every month. Discover new authors and discuss books with other readers in this friendly and relaxed reading group.
For Adults, no booking required? you can just turn up.
Contact: middleton.library@rochdale.gov.uk
Free
1.30pm - 2.30pm
Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton M24 6DU
Saturday, 24 January 2026
Monthly Lego Club - Langley Library
Last Saturday of every month. A monthly Lego Club with a different theme each session. All creations will be displayed in the library until the following month. There's Duplo for younger children.
For families with children aged 4 and over.
Booking required: Please book by 4pm the day before a session. You can book by: Emailing langley.library@rochdale.gov.uk - Phoning 0161 654 8911 - Calling into the library
Free
10.30am - 12pm
Langley Library, Windermere Road, Middleton M24 4LA
Saturday, 24 January 2026
Kids' Club - Wardle Library
Come along and get creative at our craft table.
Last Saturday of every month. These themed Kids' Club activity sessions will include crafts, activities and challenges.
For families with children aged 4 and over.
No need to book, you can just come along.
Free
10am - 12.30pm
Wardle Library, 448 Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale OL12 9LH
Wednesday. 21 January 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Jonathan Ellis (Manchester University and 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
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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