WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- 3 minutes ago
- 7 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER 2025
Poetry Spotlight: a poem a week - Shirley Jamil
Previews: Escape with The Elves at Rochdale Town Hall, Improbable Fiction at The Curtain Theatre
Review: A joyful stage adaptation of the festive classic at the Octagon Bolton
Poetry Spotlight – a poem a week - Shirley Jamil
“My name is Shirley and I’m second generation Chinese immigrant born and raised in Rochdale. I am an holistic therapist, writer and storyteller. I find inspiration for my creativity through true life events.”
Love is
“Love is feeling butterflies in your tummy when you think of each other
Love is smelling their scent on the seatbelt and beaming with pride
Love is encouraging each other to follow their dreams
It’s saying- Ring me when you’ve arrived safely- or- Have you eaten yet?
Love is making their packed lunch and cleaning out their water bottle
Or taking turns in the night to potty train the pups
And Love is – sleeping in the spare room so your cough doesn’t keep them awake
Love is the ability to sit together in comfortable silence- probably doom scrolling
Or being able to fart in front of each other
and warm your ice cold feet on their toasty legs
But enough about my love life! -
Point is, love isn’t always hearts & damp smelling dogs
It’s a partnership – both working towards similar goals.
And not trying to change one another to suit your beliefs.
It’s supporting each other when times are tough
It’s cheering each other when there are little wins
You might disagree on occasions, but do you stand your ground,
Is it worth a blazing row, or worse- a long cold stony silence?
Try and see it from their POV, maybe come to some compromise
But at the end of the day-
If you still fancy them when their underwear is full of holes & snags
That’s when you know you’re hooked, lined and sinkered in love
Congratulations Lucy and Ryan –
May your life be full of chewing gum grey bras and holey boxers August 2025"
Escape with The Elves at Rochdale Town Hall
Preview by Steve Cooke
On the Saturday before Christmas step into a world of festive fun at Rochdale Town Hall as mischievous elves take you on a magical adventure to save Christmas!
The gifts have gone missing, and time is running out but with your help, the cheeky little helpers are determined to crack the code and find them before the big day.
This interactive experience is perfect for families and children, combining storytelling, puzzles, and seasonal cheer in a beautifully decorated historic setting.
You can expect laughter, surprises, and plenty of festive spirit as you work together to solve clues and uncover the mystery.
Suitable for all audiences
Accessibility: Quiet Zone, Wheel chair / pram accessible
From £5.00
10:00
Saturday 20 December 2025
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL16 1AZ
A joyful stage adaptation of the festive classic at the Octagon Bolton
Review by Hilary Dawes
Directed by Sarah Tipple, “A Christmas Carol” is a joyful new stage adaptation by Kate Ferguson and Susannah Pearse, which adds a fresh perspective, looking at the importance of love, family and kindness, whilst remaining faithful to the spirit of the original well-loved story.
The Dickensian atmosphere, with dimly lit windows and street lanterns surrounding the auditorium is combined with modern twists which are sure to appeal to younger audiences, especially the tartan-clad, scooter riding Ghost of Christmas Present, belting out a raucous anthem on the joy of Christmas pudding, accompanied by her neon-hooded backing group!
Never detracting from the original story, other additions showed us in flashback the reasons for Scrooge’s underlying sadness and misanthropic nature.
As Scrooge, David Birrell led the cast of five, perfectly capturing Scrooge’s grumpiness and mean-spiritedness, with a caustic wit and brilliant one-liners delivered with impeccable comic timing.
The remaining characters were portrayed with remarkable versatility by the same four adult cast members, with William Donaldson as a wonderfully scary Jacob Marley, emerging creepily from the furniture, and ensnaring Scrooge in his chains. William also played the meek and long-suffering Bob Cratchit. Hannah Brown was the Ghost of Christmas Past in full-on sparkle, also playing Scrooge’s sister Fan and later Mrs Cratchit. The gloriously noisy and lively Ghost of Christmas Present was brilliantly portrayed by Lucy Keirl, who also played Mrs Merrybritches in the opening scene, and Belle, Scrooge’s former fiancée. Conor Neaves was Scrooge’s ever-forgiving nephew Fred, and he also played the exuberant Mr Fezziwig, invoking the Christmas spirit with a rousing party scene, encouraging a bit of audience participation as he did so. Junior Octagon members gave accomplished performances in the children’s roles and the incredible singing voices of each cast member more than did justice to Susannah Pearse’s wonderful music and lyrics.
The talented creative team are to be commended, with spectacular sound and lighting effects from Keegan Curran and Semeon Miller, musical direction and arrangement by Sam Somerfield and Rebecca Applin along with set and costume design by Hannah Wolfe and choreography by Gemma Payne.
Don’t miss this heart-warming and uplifting show – a Christmas treat that’s sure to appeal to young and old alike.
Playing until Saturday 10 January 2026
Improbable Fiction at The Curtain Theatre
Preview by Steve Cooke
A pre-Christmas treat for theatre goers at the Curtain Theatre will be Improbable Fiction by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by Karen Knox - This will be the final performance of their centenary year!
A play about a writers' circle, on the night the chairman, Arnold, seems to wander into the imaginations of the other writers in this witty and whimsical comedy that blurs the line between reality and imagination.
When a group of aspiring writers meets for their weekly session, the quiet evening takes a bizarre turn as their unfinished stories spring to life. Suddenly, they’re swept into a chaotic world of clichés, genres, and far-fetched plots. It’s a clever celebration — and gentle mockery — of the creative process.
£10.85 [including booking fee]
Saturday 13 - Saturday 20 December 2025
The Curtain Theatre, 47 Milkstone Road, Rochdale OL11 1EB
Tel: 01706 642008
The Curtain Theatre is within a five minute walk of Rochdale train station and a Metrolink tram stop.
During performances there is ample free parking on the Nye Bevan NHS car park. The entrance is on Ann Street. The car park is manned until 15 minutes after the end of each performance and will then be open until 2300.
There are new arrangements in place for those audience members who wish to use the Nye Bevan car park when visiting the theatre. The car park is now operated by UK Parking Control Ltd and there are cameras now on the car park.
To be able park for longer than the 2 hour limit audience members will need to scan a QR code and enter their car registration number at the theatre on arrival. This will them exempt from any charges for overstaying the 2 hour limit. Theatre volunteers will be available to assist people who may have difficulty with this system.
However, please note that the Curtain Theatre will not be held liable or responsible for anyone who does not register their vehicle for exemption.
RECOMMENDED
Saturday, 6 December 2025
Lego Club - Littleborough Library
Every other Saturday. Join our free club and get creative with Lego.
For families with children aged 2 years and above. Lego club sessions are aimed at children aged 5–12 and their parents or carers. Duplo is available for younger children.
For families with children aged 2 years and above. Lego club sessions are aimed at children aged 5–12 and their parents or carers. Duplo is available for younger children.
Each session, the children will be given a theme, followed by time to let their imaginations run wild and build.
No need to book, just come along
Free
11am - 12pm
Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
Saturday, 6 December 2025
Board games and Lego Legends - Smallbridge Library
1st Saturday of every month. Join us for some monthly family fun with our board games and Lego. Get creative or competitive, let’s play or build and start the month off right.
Board games and Lego will be provided. You can also bring in your own board games to play here.
For families with children aged 3 and over.
No booking required, you can just turn up.
Free
11am - 12pm
Smallbridge Library, Stevenson Square, Rochdale OL12 9SA
Sunday, 7 December 2025
Rochdale Town Hall family tours - Fantastical Tales
First Sunday of every month. Step into a world of wonder with our magical family tour of Rochdale Town Hall.
Designed for curious minds aged 3 and up, the 45-minute tour blends history, imagination, and interactive storytelling to create a truly unforgettable adventure.
Led by the mysterious Folconians, keepers of secrets and tellers of fantastical tales, this immersive experience invites families to explore the hidden stories and enchanting corners of one of Rochdale’s most iconic buildings.
We kindly ask that parents and carers stay with children during this tour.
Booking required: book your place online through Your Trust: https://www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/whats-on/events/family-tours-fantastical-tales/
Tickets from £5 for each child under 16. Babies and parents go for free.
Email: hello@rochdaletownhall.co.uk
There are 2 identical tours: 10.30am–11.15am, 12noon–12.45pm
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
Tours run regularly, so keep an eye on our website and social media channels for upcoming dates.
Sunday, 7 December 2025
Cantare Ladies Choir – Sounds of Christmas
Join us for a magical evening of exceptional music, filled with passion, energy, and festive cheer.
The choir’s diverse repertoire will inspire and entertain, making this a night to remember.
To make the occasion even more special, enjoy a glass of mulled wine on arrival. Non-alcoholic mulled wine and juice will also be available.
Booking required: Book your place online at Your Trust https://www.yourtrustrochdale.co.uk/whats-on/events/cantare-ladies-choir-sounds-of-christmas/
From £5
6.30pm - 7.30pm
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
Wednesday 10 December 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Voci Voices - Elizabeth Ambrose & Margaret Ferguson sopranos, Eric Cymbir tenor, Mackenzie Paget baritone & Jonathan Ellis piano
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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