WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 24 JANUARY 2026
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKIEND COLUMN SATURDAY 24 JANUARY 2026
Previews: Powdered Wings and other Intangibles, Golden Time (and Other Behavioural Management Strategies), An Evening with Crissy Rock: From Bedlam to Benidorm, Be part of the Oldham Coliseum’s re-opening plus An Evening with Dame Arlene Phillips Hosted by Russell T Davies.
Powdered Wings and other Intangibles
Preview by Steve Cooke
‘Powdered Wings and other intangibles’ by Kara Lyons is an upcoming exhibition at Ebor Studio – ‘Semi-narrative works based on personal symbolism and aspects of automatism and abstraction’.
Kara Lyons is a sculptor whose work embraces installation, live performance, public commissions and gallery exhibition. Drawing is an essential part of the process of developing all of her work via sketching and visualisation and is pursued as a creative medium in its own right. She has been working on a series of drawings which reference folkloric tales and archetypes as metaphors for current events and states of mind.
Her work seeks to re-examine the treatment and use of the use of the body in relation to sculptural traditions. Much of her work is made involving her own body as part of its process.
Kara also works with Paul Haywood on the project Guns to Goods to create artworks using metal recycled from firearms.
No booking required
Exhibition by Kara Lyons
Friday 20 February at 6 - 8pm
Artist Talk
Thursday 5 March at 7.30 - 9pm
Ebor Studio, William Street, Littleborough, OL15 8JP
Golden Time (and Other Behavioural Management Strategies)
Preview by Steve Cooke
One woman show, Golden Time (and Other Behavioural Management Strategies), at HOME asks ‘How do we incentivise our joy? Do we feel like our free time has to be earned?’
Golden Time is a primary school incentive rewarding free time and play for good behaviour. Kate starts working in a primary school and experiences this reward system as an adult.
As the week progresses and the pressure mounts, Kate must contend with the standardised nature of learning, as well as her own internal set of rules. Blending interactive performance, spoken word and gig-theatre, join Kate as she explores the education system, our standards of productivity and her limited time management skills.
Blending interactive performance, spoken word and gig-theatre, Kate Ireland explores the education system, our standards of productivity, and her limited time management skills.
Following a hit month’s run at Edinburgh Fringe and weekend at The Roundhouse in Summer 2025, don't miss this critically-acclaimed one-woman show.
Every performance is creatively captioned.
This performance contains strobe lighting, audience participation, flashing images and references to mental health conditions including ADHD and anxiety.
Thursday 26 February - Saturday 28 February
HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place Manchester M15 4FN
An Evening with Crissy Rock: From Bedlam to Benidorm
Preview by Steve Cooke
Best known for appearing on TV shows such as Benidorm, I’m A Celebrity and Celebrity Masterchef, Crissy Rock is better known to her fans as one of the most outstanding and outrageous stand-up comedians of her generation.
To celebrate over 30 years of her film debut in Ken Loach’s Ladybird Ladybird, Crissy Rock is hitting the road with a brand new show of two halves!
Get along to Middleton Arena where in the first act, you’ll learn how Christine Murray became Crissy Rock – a one woman show with funny anecdotes that will make you laugh, cry and fall in love.
After the interval, enjoy Crissy Rock’s world famous stand-up comedy show, which promises to ‘have you rolling in the aisles with laughter!’
Tickets from £21.00 (inc. £1.00 cmsn)
Friday 30 January 2026
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Greater Manchester M24 1AG
Be part of the Oldham Coliseum’s re-opening!
Preview by Steve Cooke
An opportunity to be part of the Oldham Coliseum’s re-opening through Tentacles - a colourful textile installation and workshop where you can help create a new artwork for the theatre and tell them what you’d like from its future.
It’s touring venues across Oldham to encourage creativity, conversations, and community. So, go along, add your own piece to the installation, and share your ideas.
Join them at the launch and help start this exciting programme.
TENTACLES
Wednesday 18 February
10am – 5pm
Free to attend, just turn up
Spindles Shopping Centre, 50 George St, Oldham OL1 1LS
An Evening with Dame Arlene Phillips Hosted by Russell T Davies
Preview by Steve Cooke
An opportunity at Hope Mill Theatre to join Russell T Davies as he chats with the legendary Dame Arlene Phillips.
From her early years growing up in Manchester, creating Hot Gossip to working with legends such as Whitney Houston and from the Strictly Come Dancing Panel to choreographing hit movies and musicals, there is no denying the incredible legacy that this girl from Prestwich has had across the dance world and beyond.
Featuring special performances and footage celebrating a glittering career, this is an evening not to be missed.
All in Support of Hope Mill Theatre’s new community hub and dance rehearsal room.
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Friday 27th March at 7:30pm
Band A £32 + transaction fee
Band B £22 + transaction fee
Box Office: boxoffice@hopemilltheatre.co.uk
Box Office: 0161 275 9141
Hope Mill Theatre, 113 Pollard St, Manchester, M4 7JA
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, 28 January 2026
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Roth Guitar Duo [Emma Smith (Edinburgh University & RNCM) Sam Rodwell (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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