WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 6 JUNE 2026
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- Jun 6
- 7 min read
An oasis of positivity celebrating the creative arts with previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations.
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 6 JUNE 2026
Previews: Twelfth Night at Heywood Civic, Manchester Open exhibition 2026 returns with 420 artists plus Manchester International Roots Orchestra.
Review: Even These Things at the Royal Exchange Theatre.
Even These Things at the Royal Exchange Theatre
Review by Steve Cooke
Even These Things at the Royal Exchange Theatre is an ambitious, emotionally resonant triptych exploring Manchester’s history, spanning 1846, 1996, and 2026, weaving together Irish migration, the 1996 IRA bombing, and contemporary questions of identity and belonging.
The show is framed as a love letter to Manchester, marking the 30th anniversary of the bombing.
Elaine Cassidy’s performance is extraordinary, the community-cast middle act is stunningly powerful, and the production’s exudes a deep sense of Mancunian pride.
Her opening monologue as Annie Donovan (1846) is electrifying, an astonishing performance that must rank as one of the year’s best theatrical performances. Masterclass in emotional intelligence, vocal dexterity, and ability that commands the stage with humour, ferocity, and vulnerability.
The middle act, depicting Manchester on the morning of the IRA bombing, is the production’s emotional centre and the huge community cast creates a vivid, poignant portrait of the city with an extraordinary, brilliantly choreographed performance that is worth the price of the ticket on its own.
Peter Carroll, Coronation Street and Thinking actors says, “I went to The Exchange Theatre last night to see, what turned out to be, one of the most memorable, perfected plays: ‘Even These Things’. A journey through Manchester’s history - from the poverty of Ancoats’ Angel Meadows, to modern day. Funny, connected and resonant. Powerful, affective cast. Do try and see this. Amazing. Special thanks to Linda Martin who gifted me a copy of the script”.
Another audience member was overheard saying “I can’t wait to see it a second time … the writing, the staging, the performance all worthy of an Award, for sure.”
On until Monday 15 June this is a definitely not to be missed theatrical experience!
Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7DH
Twelfth Night at Heywood Civic
Preview by Steve Cooke
HER Productions return to Heywood Civic with Unseemly Shakespeare, taking on the Bard’s ultimate romantic comedy, Twelfth Night.
Shipwrecked and separated from her twin, Viola washes ashore in Illyria. Disguising herself as the suave Cesario, she enters the service of Count Orsino, who pines for the aloof Olivia. But as Viola navigates tangled desires and mistaken identities, love blossoms in unexpected places.
Since 2017, HER have been redefining Shakespeare with their groundbreaking annual tradition that reimagines the Bard’s works through an all-female and non-binary cast. Their 2024 Taming of the Shrew was listed in The Stage’s Top 50 Shows of the Year and will be transferring to London in 2026.
Price, pay what you can:
Standard: £16.80
Lower: £14.70
Higher: £18.90
To book online and browse all upcoming events visit heywoodcivic.co.uk or call box office on 0300 303 8633
Age recommendation: 14+ [Contains sexual references.]
7.30pm 0n Thursday 9 and Friday 10 July at Heywood Civic, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood, Greater Manchester OL10 1LW
Manchester Open exhibition 2026 returns with 420 artists
Preview by Steve Cooke
Manchester Open exhibition 2026 returns with 420 artists showcasing their work in celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent
HOME has announced that Manchester Open, the biggest celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent, is back this summer.
Taking place every two years, this much-anticipated free exhibition draws thousands of visitors from Greater Manchester and beyond. Between Sat 20 Jun and Sun 6 Sep 2026, the HOME Gallery walls will be filled with 420 artworks, carefully selected from over 1,500 submissions that were received this year.
Now in its fourth iteration, the Manchester Open exhibition is open to all and welcomes entries from people of any level of experience, including established professionals, students, graduates, new and emerging talent, enthusiastic amateurs and first-time artists. Artists this year ranged in age, with the youngest being just 4 years old to the oldest being nearly 80. They submitted work in the categories; ceramics, digital/moving image, drawing, print, painting, photography, sculpture/installation, textiles and ceramics ensuring a rich variety of art for visitors to explore.
With 8 judges, the selection panel for Manchester Open includes practicing artists, community members and contemporary art professionals. Some of them gave their reactions to the quality and breadth of this year’s work:
Clarissa Corfe, Creative Producer: Visual Art, HOME:
“Manchester Open 2026, HOME’s celebration of visual art from the city, brings together artists and creatives from all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester, some professional and others just starting their creative journeys. Work in all the visual art mediums have been selected anonymously by a dedicated team of judges with different areas of expertise and experiences. Visitors to the exhibition will experience 420 artworks in HOME’s main gallery - many works reveal something of the relationship we have with ourselves, family, community and the natural world, demonstrated through layers of nuance, imagination, wit and resonance.”
Adeola Adelakun & Ronke Jane Adelakun, Co-Founders, Black Creative Trailblazers:
“Being invited to serve as judges for the Manchester Open on behalf of the community was a profound honour and one we didn’t take lightly. As first-time judges, we were moved by the breadth, boldness, and depth of the work submitted."
“For Black Creative Trailblazers, being part of this process matters deeply. Our founding belief is that the talent was never missing, only the infrastructure. Having a seat at the table as community curators is exactly the kind of infrastructure shift that changes what gets celebrated, who gets visibility, and what the creative landscape of Manchester looks like for the next generation. We’re proud to be part of that.”
Evelyn Adesina (HOME Volunteer):
"The selection process was both inspiring and engaging, and audiences can expect a rich range of visual storytelling with real depth and diversity. I would highly recommend visiting the exhibition as it is a powerful reflection of the creativity within Manchester and it offers a unique opportunity to connect with both the work and the artists behind it."
I am particularly looking forward to meeting the artists and learning more about the stories behind their work, as well as experiencing the range of voices and perspectives brought together in this shared space"
The judging panel included Clarissa Corfe (Creative Producer: Visual Art HOME), Helen Wewiora (Director and Artistic Director at Castlefield Gallery), Adeola Adelakun & Ronke Jane Adelakun (Black Creative Trailblazers). Ebunoluwa Evelyn Adesina (HOME Volunteer), Jo Bloxham (Jewellery Curator) and artists Nicola Ellis, Gabriel Kidd, and Amang Mardokhy.
Artist Awards
HOME is once again working with Castlefield Gallery on the selection of the 2026 Manchester Open Awards. Three artists will be awarded with artist development packages managed by HOME and Castlefield Gallery. There will also be one HOME Award for an artist’s solo exhibition in the Granada Foundation Galleries focusing on developing new work.
The Kate Vokes People’s Choice Award
In honour of local philanthropist and business leader Kate Vokes’s contribution to the Manchester Open, HOME and the arts and culture sector in Manchester.
As the only award voted for by the people of Greater Manchester – with 2,400 visitors voting in 2024 – the People’s Choice Award reflects Kate’s values by widening participation in the arts. Alongside the recognition afforded by this high-profile award,
The Kate Vokes People’s Choice Award Winner will receive £2000.
The Manchester Open 2026 is supported by the Oglesby Charitable Trust, The Brian
Mercer Trust, Manchester City Council, Arts Council England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Public Preview: Fri 19 June from 12:00 -21.00
Manchester Open is taking place in the main gallery at HOME from Saturday 20 June - Sunday 6 Sep 2026.
Manchester International Roots Orchestra
Preview by Steve Cooke
A great opportunity to go on a wonderful musical journey around the world, with Eastern Europe Roma, Kurdish, Egyptian, Iranian, Indian music and more at Heywood Civic.
The Manchester International Roots Orchestra (MIRO) is a unique ensemble of
musicians with roots from across the world including refugee musicians. Their live shows include diverse musical influences, from haunting Eastern European melodies to the delicate textures of Middle Eastern percussion and vocals; through to soulful Sufi chants of South Asia and joyful African gospel – embracing rap, hip-hop, classical music and jazz along the way.
For this show at Heywood Civic have three prices to choose from for the same seat:
£14: A standard price – fair pricing for the show you’re going to see
£12: A slightly lower price – for people who need it
£16: A slightly higher price – for those who want to help support our programme
Having enjoyed the Manchester International Roots orchestra on many occasions I can thoroughly recommend this concert, whatever your musical tastes.
19:30 on Saturday 20 June at Heywood Civic, LCpl Stephen Shaw MC Way, Heywood, Greater Manchester, OL10 1LW
RECOMMENDED
Saturday, 6 June 2026
Northern Brickworks Rochdale Brick Show - Rochdale Central Library
The Rochdale Brick Show is back for a second year, after an amazing response to our first show. Get ready for Lego displays, activities, competitions and full trade support
Everyone's welcome.
Free
No need to book you can just turn up.
Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Monday, 8 June 2026
Book Club - Junction Library
2nd Monday of every month. Come and join us at Junction Library for a brew and a cosy chat about the books you've read. We can’t wait to meet you.
For adults.
No need to book, you can just come along.
Free
2pm - 3pm
Junction Library, Grimshaw Lane, Middleton M24 2BW
Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - The Nightingale Singers - Conductor Ken Greaves piano Brian Milligan
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
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