WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER
An oasis of positivity celebrating the creative arts with articles, previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations.
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER 2026
Previews: There is an exciting 2027 on the horizon at Factory International, The Nutcracker – Crown Ballet, Culture Co-op Lab: Reimaging parks, public spaces and libraries plus FAMEHUNGRY
There is an exciting 2027 on the horizon at Factory International
Preview by Steve Cooke
In 2027 it will be two decades since the birth of Manchester International Festival in 2007!
To celebrate, they have announced a whole season of new art, shows and performances featuring nine UK and world premieres.
Programme highlights:
The European premiere of AN ARK, a one-of-a-kind mixed theatrical encounter delivered through Mixed Reality glasses, features performances from Ian McKellen, Golda Rosheuvel, Arinzé Kene and Rosie Sheehy that place audiences at the heart of a moving exploration of life, love and loss. From Mixed Reality pioneer Todd Eckert, Tony Award–winning Stockport-born writer Simon Stephens and celebrated director Sarah Frankcom (27 March - 10 April).
Acclaimed Austrian director, choreographer and performance artist Florentina Holzinger follows her lauded Seaworld Venice exhibit at the Venice Biennial with a rare UK residency at Aviva Studios to present A Year Without Summer, a landmark piece of theatre and art inspired by the year 1816 when the Mount Tambora eruption in Indonesia plunged the world into darkness, and Mary Shelly wrote Frankenstein. Performed by 24 women and non-binary performers ranging from their 20s to 80s, it is a striking journey through health, identity, ageing, technology and the limits of the human body. (14 - 16 October)
Award-winning South-African choreographer Gregory Maqoma returns to Manchester with the UK premiere of Genesis: The Beginning and End of Time, a ground-breaking dance opera with a libretto by Karthika Nair that explores the timeless quest for Black liberation inspired by the revolutionary ideas of Aimé Césaire, Frantz Fanon and Steve Biko, and the poetic defiance of migrant communities across the world. (22 - 24 October)
English National Opera (ENO) and Factory International present Philip Glass’s iconic opera Einstein on the Beach in a new spectacular experiential adaptation filling the vast warehouse space of Aviva Studios. Inspired by ideas on time, space and the birth of quantum physics, Improbable’s Phelim McDermott joins forces with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, an award-winning design team and a huge cast of multi-talented singers and performers to re-imagine one of the most influential operas of all time in the composer’s 90th year. (29 May - 12 June)
Russell T Davies’ landmark series It’s A Sin - one of the most impactful and lauded TV shows of the past decade - will be transformed into a raw, visceral and devastating dance story of love and survival brought to life by Rambert’s extraordinary dancers. The world premiere production is directed and choreographed by Artistic Director Benoit Swan Pouffer and executive-produced by Davies, The Pet Shop Boys and Glyn Fussell, the show takes us into the joys and pain of young lives in the 1990s. (16 - 27 Feb 2027)
Palestinian director Bashar Murkus tests the limits of the human body in DEADLIFT – الحَمّالون, a powerful and intense visual performance created without spoken text, exploring endurance and rebuilding in Palestine produced by Al-Harah Theater in partnership with Boy Jonkergouw Producties and Riksteatern. The UK premiere is presented in partnership with Shubbak Festival. (5 - 6 June)
Stemming from the thousands of reported sightings of Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s face in the moon in 1978, the world premiere of Cinema Tehran by Javaad Alipoor and Chris Thorpe is a major new theatrical work blending performance, documentary, projection and visual tricks to explore themes of revolution, mass belief and the power of stories to shape a nation. (5 - 10 October)
Come As You Really Are by Hetain Patel celebrates the diversity and playful worlds of over 250 makers, modifiers, enthusiasts and collectors from every borough of Greater Manchester, aged five to 90 years old, bringing together thousands of objects to tell their stories in a free, interactive, family-friendly exhibition. It will also feature Patel’s own artwork, plus a programme of exclusive performances, workshops and tours, curated by Hetain and local Community Curators, as the nationwide project comes to a conclusion at Aviva Studios with one of its largest presentations yet. Commissioned and produced by Artangel in partnership with Factory International (13 - 20 February).
The world premiere of Party In The Sky is a new genre-bending show conceived by Darren Pritchard and developed and co-directed with Vicki Amedume featuring a unique blend of circus, dance, drag, theatre, aerial performance and music in a bold and joyful celebration of life. A show for the festive season in two versions – with a family edition, and a late night club incarnation. (Winter 2027).
Manchester International Festival (MIF) returns to Manchester in 2027 taking over the city from 1 - 18 July, marking two decades of the biennial event.
The full programme of extraordinary world premieres and special events will be revealed in March.
Over the coming months in this column we shall be previewing events as tickets go on sale.
The Nutcracker – Crown Ballet
Preview by Steve Cooke
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Following last year’s acclaimed tour, Crown Ballet is returning to the UK to “mesmerize audiences with their enchanting production of The Nutcracker”.
A true masterpiece of Tchaikovsky’s repertoire, The Nutcracker is a charming fairy tale that captures the spirit of the holiday season. A magical world where a humble nutcracker may transform into a handsome prince, and dreams come to life in a whirlwind of wonder.
Based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, the story follows young Marie, a melancholy girl who receives a nutcracker doll as a Christmas gift from her godfather, Drosselmeier. Through her vivid imagination, the nutcracker transforms into a prince, setting the stage for a magical adventure filled with bravery, beauty, and the joy of Christmas.
This beloved seasonal classic could be the perfect introduction to the magic of classical ballet for audiences of all ages. With its dazzling choreography, Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score, and a story brimming with holiday cheer, The Nutcracker promises an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Watch the trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch
Tickets from £25.20 (inc. £1.20 cmsn)
Monday 16 November, 7:30pm, doors open: 6:45pm
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton M24 1AQ
Culture Co-op Lab: Reimaging parks, public spaces and libraries
Preview by Steve Cooke
A great opportunity to share ideas on how we can transform parks, public spaces and libraries in to cultural and creative hubs for our communities.
Building on conversations regarding ‘Third Spaces’ and ‘Everyday Utopias’ held with Kitty’s Launderette at a previous Lab Session, they are inviting partners and local residents to share ideas on how new strategies led by the council’s parks, libraries and culture teams might help enhance these spaces as free to access cultural and community spaces. Discussions will feed into the development of a new ‘Cultural, Creative and Heritage Asset Strategy’ being developed by Rochdale Development Agency on behalf of the cultural compact (Rochdale Creates) and Rochdale Borough Council, as well as new strategies being developed for the borough’s libraries and green spaces.
Concepts of Third Spaces and Everyday Utopias
The idea of a “third space” comes from urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg, who described it as a social environment separate from home (the first space) and work (the second space). These are places where people gather, build community, share ideas and find a sense of belonging.
The idea of “everyday utopias” is about enacting conventional activities in unusual ways. Instead of dreaming about a better world, participants seek to create it.
Lab Session Details:
9.30am-11.30am Thursday 26 November
Rochdale Masonic Hall, Richard St, OL11 1DU (Free Parking Available, also 2 min walk from Train Station and Tram Stop).
FAMEHUNGRY
Preview by Steve Cooke
FAMEHUNGRY at HOME is a smash-hit show about life, death and social media.
Seen as Theatre redefined for the brat generation.
Louise Orwin has read the writing on the wall. Performance art is dead. (Maybe.)
Hoping to revive a generation’s faith in the live arts, Louise Orwin – the multiple award-winning, London-based cult performance artist – brings her smash hit theatrical experience about life, death, the future of art, the attention economy and the online micro-celebrity to HOME.
FAMEHUNGRY is a helter-skelter nosedive into social media, asking what it means to be an artist now. Fusing performance art and very real and very live TikTok experiences, join Louise in a sisyphean mission to make art and find beauty and hope in the relentless, Almighty Algorithm-feeding attention economy. FAMEHUNGRY questions the lengths we go to be seen and what it feels like to be hungry for fame in the face of a world on fire.
To do this, Louise enlists famous Gen Z TikToker Jax Valentine (21yo, 80k followers) to guide her (37yo, 4k followers) through a brave new world of dance trends, 24 hour live-streaming, enforced face filters and endless monetizable content. The aim? To answer a very personal question: how can this performance artist compete in a dizzying digital age? Will Louise make it through the show without catching the attention of TikTok’s hyper-conservative censors? Will she survive her existential crisis? Can she – whisper it – make performance art mainstream? And will you ever feel the same way about social media again?
Anchored in Louise’s obsessive, gonzo-style deep-dive research and using a cutting-edge multimedia set up, FAMEHUNGRY is a wild ride through the TIkTok universe for two simultaneous audiences - one in-the-know theatre audience, and one unsuspecting TikTok Live audience. Loud, fast, unpredictable, funny and occasionally messy, this is theatre redefined for the brat generation (sort of).
Age recommendation: 14+
Content Warning: Contains loud music, flashing lights, swearing, fast-moving imagery, strong language, existential themes and discussions of death.
The Visiting Company livestream each performance via TikTok and have their own dedicated staff member to monitor this. Audience members are not filmed but please be aware that the first couple of rows in Theatre 2 may be in the background of some shots.
£11.20 - £21.20
To book visit https://www.homemcr.org/whats-on/famehungry
Thursday 19 November and Friday 20 November, 19.00 in Theatre 2, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place Manchester M15 4FN.
RECOMMENDED
Saturday, 31 October 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
Contact: wardle.library@rochdale.gov.uk
Wardle Library, 448 Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale OL12 9LH
Monday, 2 November 2026
Wardle Library Reading Group
1st Monday of every month. Discover new authors and discuss new books with other readers at our free, friendly and informal monthly meetings. Everyone's welcome.
For adults and teenagers.
No need to book, you can just turn up.
Free
Contact: wardle.library@rochdale.gov.uk
6pm - 7pm
Wardle Library, 448 Birch Road, Wardle, Rochdale OL12 9LH
Monday, 2 November 2026
Little Reads at Rochdale Central Library
Free
First Monday of every month. Little Reads is a fun, interactive workshop using drama, dance, songs and play to explore children’s picture books.
This is a space for you and your little ones to have fun sharing a story, singing, moving and playing. Remember to join in yourself as your children love to copy you.
For families with children aged 2–6.
No booking required, you can just turn up.
Contact: library.service@rochdale.gov.uk
10am - 10.30am
Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Monday, 2 November 2026
Rochdale Libraries Story Time at Rochdale Town Hall
Join us on the first Monday of every month between October 2026 and March 2027 for a fun, interactive story session in our cosy reading corner.
2026 is the National Year of Reading. Each month we’ll explore a different classic picture book or ‘storysack’, with songs, games and other activities.
For pre-school children and their grown-ups.
Booking required: book your tickets through YourTrust https://www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/whats-on/events/rochdale-libraries-story-time/
£2.10 per child (includes 10p commission fee). Accompanying adults go free.
Email: hello@rochdaletownhall.co.uk
11am - 12pm
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
Wednesday, 4 November 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.
Free
No need to book, you can just drop in.
Contact: heywood.library@rochdale.gov.uk
1.15pm - 3.15pm
Heywood Library, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood OL10 1LW
Wednesday, 4 November 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Duncan Reid violin (Manchester University & RNCM) & Despina Reid violin (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
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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