WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER
previews, articles, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2026
Article: Walter Kershaw, Guerilla Artist
Previews: David Bowie: You're Not Alone pluis Little Shop of Horrors Halloween Gala
Reviews: Othello at Home Manchester and September at TLC
Walter Kershaw, Guerilla Artist
By Steve Cooke
An element of the Cancel Culture debate is the question of whether art can be separated from its creator.
It can be argued that once an artwork is released, it takes on a life of its own, allowing viewers to engage with it independently of the artist’s personal history or behaviour. Focussing on the intrinsic value of the work itself, on its emotional impact, technical skill, and cultural significance rather than the creator’s flaws.
Conversely, others contend that supporting or celebrating an artist’s work can implicitly endorse their actions, especially if the artist has caused harm. The artist’s personal conduct may shape the interpretation of their work, and audiences may struggle to separate admiration for the art from moral accountability
We recently lost an artist who sits in the centre of this debate, Walter Kershaw, his passing marks the loss of a visionary who believed art belonged not in galleries, but on the streets where people lived their everyday lives. Kershaw’s later life included time in prison, widely reported at the time.
While part of his personal history, should that define the artistic legacy he leaves behind? A legacy built on colour, scale, and a belief that art should be woven into the fabric of everyday life. A painter of street murals who was dubbed ‘the LS Lowry of urban art’, ‘Guerilla Artist’ and ‘The First Graffiti Artist’ which is the title of a BBC student film about his work, that went on to win Best Student Film at Cannes in 1976
Street murals became his signature from the early 1970s onward. A time when public art was still a rarity, he transformed the gable‑ends of Victorian terraces into huge, colourful canvases that drew national attention. Painted in Rochdale, Bury, Oldham, Manchester and beyond, many have since been demolished or lost through redevelopment. Kershaw never mourned their disappearance but embraced the ephemeral nature of his murals, often choosing condemned properties deliberately so the artwork existed as a fleeting moment of beauty before the bulldozers arrived. A philosophy that public art should live alongside people even if only for a short time.
As a young man Kershaw employed guerilla tactics to get his murals installed, taking along a motorbike in case of violent exception being taken to his work.
Alongside his monumental murals, Kershaw also turned his attention to neglected infrastructure, such as bridges in Burnley, Bury and Rochdale. These structures, often drab and overlooked, became stunning bursts of colour after his interventions.
But not everyone welcomed the transformation. Local authorities issued cease‑and‑desist‑style letters, worried less about the artistic merit and more about the cost of maintenance, undeterred he continued painting.
He frequently worked very early on Sunday mornings, choosing times when few witnesses were around. These clandestine sessions are now considered to be early examples of guerilla art, long before the term became mainstream.
Kershaw’s work also travelled widely beyond his base in Littleborough, his murals and paintings exhibited across the UK, including at Salford Art Gallery, Bear Lane Gallery in Oxford, and even the House of Commons. His work entered major collections such as the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Arts Council.
He also completed many international commissions, particularly in Brazil, where his large‑scale pieces became part of national collections.
Kershaw’s distinctive approach, blending social commentary, humour, and sheer visual impact, made him a familiar face in the media. He appeared on programmes with Melvyn Bragg and Janet Street‑Porter and once shared a sofa with Eric Morecambe on Russell Harty’s BBC Two show. He became friends with such as George Best and Bob Monkhouse. In 2013 he featured on the BBC's The One Show in a segment with much missed fellow Rochdalian Andy Kershaw.
Even though many of his murals no longer exist, their impact lives on. The stories of his murals and the boldness with which he created them will continue to inspire. Locally we are lucky to still have one of his works above the Coach House on Lodge Street, Littleborough, not far from his studio where I last interviewed him a few years ago. He was still bubbling with enthusiasm and full of thoughts about projects to come. He was certainly a flawed genius.
\Othello at Home Manchester
Review by Seamus and Maggie Kelly
Directed by Anthony Almeida this new production of Othello aims to take a fresh look at Shakespeare’s tragedy with a greater emphasis on class differences and love. Setting the play in the 1980s around soldiers at the time of the Falklands War is a bold move that achieves some of what the director intends.
Watching the performance it is striking just how clearly the issue of race, rather than class, stands out. Othello is a very successful General and Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, clearly feels that Othello, although well suited for his role as an army General, is an unsuitable match for his daughter as he is a Moor.
The staging, the army uniforms and attitudes of the soldiers are effective, but for some of us with memories from the 1980s they can be somewhat unsettling.
The set is stark and dark with high chicken wire fences topped by barbed wire to represent the army compound which works well for this production. The arrival of Othello himself was a moment of high theatrical drama. A section of tall wall at the back of the set was lowered onto a set of trestles becoming a platform onto which Othello strode with all the bearing of a seasoned warrior.
Dwane Walcott is well cast as Othello. Walcott portrays his military bearing, his descent into jealousy and eventual murderous rage with such conviction that the violent ending feels almost real.
Phoebe Smyth, in her first professional stage role, plays Desdemona as a feisty young woman who is prepared to challenge those around her, even Othello in his jealousy. This portrayal is very physical and Smyth handles that, and the range of emotions, to great effect and her fear in the later scenes is palpable.
Maanuv Thiara is brilliantly duplicitous as Iago, switching mood and demeanour depending on who he is talking to, to create a thoroughly believable and manipulative villain.
The whole cast; Rebecca Banavala (Emilia), Chris Garner (Brabantio), Grace Hodget Young (Bianca), Will Stanton (Cassio) and Mattheiu Sys (Roderigo) are excellent with high standards of acting maintained throughout.
A couple of songs, delivered in a karaoke style with lots of dancing, serve to lift the mood and confirm the 1980s setting, but the performance would work well without them. The production is recommended for anyone wanting to see a new interpretation of Othello and particularly one set in a more modern time. The late 20th century setting may well make this version more accessible to audiences who are not familiar with Shakespeare.
This Production of Othello which began its run in Newcastle, played at HOME until Saturday10th October, and is now on tour to Northampton, Clwyd, Glasgow, Derby and Peterborough where the tour ends on Friday 20th November.
Othello is a co-production from Northern Stage, Home Manchester and Citizens Theatre in association with Royal & Derngate and supported by Arts Council England.
David Bowie: You're Not Alone
Preview by Steve Cooke
Something a bit different over the upcoming festive season, an opportunity to be transported into the many worlds of David Bowie. Through iconic performances, rarely-seen interviews and never-before-exhibited material, you can discover the creative mind, spirit and soul of one of the world’s greatest, most visionary artists.
Featuring Bowie himself as its sole voice, David Bowie: You’re Not Alone is both a multimedia spectacle and an intimate self-portrait.
The show brings together iconic performance footage, rarely heard interviews and never-before-seen material selected from thousands of hours of film in the vaults of the David Bowie Archive in New York.
From Space Oddity through Diamond Dogs and ”Heroes” to ★, David Bowie: You’re Not Alone is a celebration of Bowie’s boundless curiosity as a force that connected people across continents and generations, as well as his enduring cultural impact today.
A combination of performance footage, photography, drawings, lyrics, personal notes, sketches and narration from Bowie come together to craft the most vivid, detailed and immersive visual exploration yet of the iconic artist’s life and work.
Using the incredible Lightroom visual technology and spatial audio behind David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away), The Moonwalkers and VOGUE: Inventing the Runway, this 360° immersive experience sees Bowie invite you into his many worlds.
Whether like me, you’re reliving the magic or discovering it for the very first time, this is your ticket to the landmark Bowie performances that changed culture forever.
Tuesday 8 Dec 2026 – Sunday 10 Jan 2027
North Warehouse, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
Tickets
Aviva £10 Tickets & Concessions
Previews from: £20
Standard from: £25
A booking fee of £1.50 applies to all tickets.
Suitable for all ages - Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+. Children aged 2 and undergo FREE and do not require a ticket.
Running time: 1 hour
Accessibility features available for this event: Audio Description Relaxed Performance Wheelchair Access BSL Interpreting
Little Shop of Horrors Halloween Gala
Preview by Steve Cooke
This Halloween, the UK’s major new revival of Little Shop of Horrors is “throwing the most monstrous party in Manchester”.
On Saturday 31 October, Hope Mill Theatre will host a spectacular Halloween Gala Night in aid of the theatre’s Community Hub Campaign, with every ticket sold helping create a permanent community space for artists, young people and local communities.
Every ticket is £60 and includes:
A premium ticket to the Halloween Gala performance
A Halloween welcome drink on arrival
A souvenir programme
Exclusive access to the official Little Shop of Horrors Halloween Party immediately after the performance
When the curtain comes down, the party begins.
Box Office: boxoffice@hopemilltheatre.co.uk
Box Office: 0161 275 9141
Hope Mill Theatre will be transformed for one unforgettable Halloween celebration, with killer tunes, wicked cocktails, devilish surprises and plenty of monstrous fun as audiences and company members celebrate together late into the night.
Fancy dress is positively encouraged. Whether you’re a bloodthirsty dentist, a mysterious florist from Skid Row, a giant man-eating plant or something even more terrifying, this is your invitation to dress to impress.
Director and choreographer Carrie-Anne Ingrouille’s acclaimed new production stars Maisie Smith as Audrey, alongside Jed Berry, Michael Starke, Benjamin Yates, Marcus Ayton, Psalms-Nissi Myers-Reid, Gabrielle Davina Smith, Rio Maye and a sensational West End company.
Little Shop of Horrors Halloween Gala Saturday 31 October, Hope Mill Theatre, 113 Pollard St, Manchester, M4 7JA
September at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
September 01 Callum Bisson piano: this 20-year-old pianist and composer from Rochdale first played here in 2024 showing much promise then with Rachmaninoff. Chetham’s encouraged his writing by allowing performance of his piano concerto and his playing with competitions etc. Continuing this at RNCM and today with Mozart, Beethoven Sonata op 31 ‘The Tempest’, a Chopin nocturne and his own ‘Shadow Rise’. He finished with moody Medtner then a cheeky encore of JS Bach prelude in C. Great to see him fulfilling his potential!
September 09 Anne Butterworth Stephen Taylor & Elaine Marsden: These troubadours and strolling players have performed abundantly in the area for several years. Anne soprano and flute, Stephen baritone, sax and guitar accompanied by Elaine (with solos and recorder) with a plus one David Lawson page turning and playing bodhran. A varied programme of entertaining assortments from popular, local, multi-talented performers.
September 16 Jonathan Ellis piano: Jonathan is highly valued as a regular visiting musician, accompanying singers and instrumentalists; but today he played in his own right as a concert pianist … on his very own! He certainly made the most of the heritage 1935 Challen Grand with Haydn, Granados and the Wanderer Fantasy by Schubert, plus an encore with a delectable Aeolian Etude No 25 by Chopin.
September 13 Sara Donnelly soprano and Tim Kennedy piano: British Australian soprano Sara Donnelly holds a master’s from the RNCM and is also a double graduate of Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University (QCGU), where she won several awards. Tim is a professional singer, vocal coach and organist as well as a staff accompanist at the RNCM. Sara’s songs by Quilter and Barber, Debussy and Mozart, and songs from the shows and Tim’s piano solos by Debussy and Erroll Garner made for a sumptuous recital.
September 23 Students from Chetham’s: accompanied by Nick Oliver, assistant principal and chief accompanist. 15-year-old cellit Isla with Lalo Concerto in D minor and Nick’s stirring accompaniment. She contrasted this with Mark Summer’s delightful, unaccompanied ‘Julie – O’ with vigour and panache. 14-year-old Amelia sang Dvořak, De Luca and Quilter, beautifully and engagingly phrased with secure high notes and maturing tone, sensitively supported by the piano. Finally, 15-year-old clarinettist Shia played Burgmuller, Horowitz and Kalliwoda … here again was virtuoso playing par excellence from both players.
Representing the cream of their generation these three performed beyond their years and inspired much optimism for the future. Nick and his colleagues are doing a marvellous job building musical foundations of talent with their charges. They would grace any concert stage and delight their audience, as they certainly did here.
RECOMMNEDED
Saturday, 17 October 2026
Lego Club - Rochdale Central Library
Get creative with Lego and join our free club.
Every other Saturday. Get creative with Lego and join our free club, suitable for all the family. There's Duplo available for younger siblings.
For families with children aged 2 and over, and teenagers.
No need to book, you can just turn up.
12pm - 1pm
Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Monday, 19 October 2026
Autumn and Halloween sun catcher craft - Langley Library
Get crafty this autumn at Langley Library. Design a spooky or seasonal sun catcher using bright colours and simple materials.
Choose from pumpkins, ghosts, witch's hats and autumn leaves to create your own window decoration.
For children aged 4 and above, and their grown-ups.
No need to book you can just come along.
Free
Contact: langley.library@rochdale.gov.uk
3.30pm - 4.30pm
Langley Library, Windermere Road, Middleton M24 4LA
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Lewis Kingsley Peart piano (Trinity Laban Conservatoire)
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
St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ
Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm - 1.30pm
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