previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 06 JANUARY 2024
TLC DECEMBER 2023
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
’Twas the Month before Christmas …. for Toad Lane Concerts at St Mary in the Baum.
December 06: The Telemann Baroque Ensemble - Alfred Pollard oboe, Kevin O’Sullivan bassoon, Elaine da Costa and Sarah Snape violins, Roger Bisby cello, and Peter Collier harpsichord. They clearly revelled in the generous acoustic of St Mary in the Baum and made a glorious sound.
The relatively unusual groupings added to the interesting range of baroque works. With harpsichord and cello as a basis, we had Telemann’s Concerto for Strings and an unusual Trio by Schaffrath featuring the viola. Double concertos by Fasch and Reichenauer featured the two brilliant woodwind soloists.
December 13: Rascallity Harp Duo - Alice Roberts and Kathryn Mason (both RNCM & Manchester University)
One harp is heavenly but two divine … especially in these celestial acoustics.
Atmospheric pieces by Monika Stadler, Meinir Heulyn and Jessica Gallo, followed by Kathryn’s own Christmas Reel led to the evocative Sunken Forest Suite played by Alice and narrated by Kathryn.
Other charming duo pieces followed, finishing with a delightful ‘Christmassy’ piece as an encore.
December 20 More than Melody Ladies Choir Christmas Special
under conductor Jonathan Gibson and accompanist Brian Milligan this was
Toad Lane Concert number 1,068 since taking over from the council in 2001. A joyful cornucopia of seasonal song from this popular ladies choir rounded off another varied and successful year.
Wednesday 27 Dec 2023 was CLOSED for Christmas and New Year. Re-opened Wednesday 03 January 2024 with Voci Voices.
The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade 1 listed church of St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
Dr Joe Dawson
LOTS TO RECOMMEND AT FACTORY INTERNATIONAL THIS SPRING
Preview by Steve Cooke
This Spring Factory International is offering lots for all tastes with an adaptation of Jungle Book by Robert Wilson with CocoRosie, best-selling author Armistead Maupin, and the Paraorchestra with Brett Anderson and Charles Hazlewood.
JUNGLE BOOK
Jungle Book swings into town in a spellbinding stage production from visionary director Robert Wilson with original live music from CocoRosie
Step into the enchanting world of the Jungle Book. The timeless tale of mancub Mowgli and his friends comes to Manchester in a stage adaptation directed by Robert Wilson with original music from CocoRosie.
Perfect for all ages, this retelling of the classic story shines a light on tolerance, friendship, and humanity – celebrating childhood and all things wild and wonderful.
See Mowgli, Baloo, Bagheera and pals come to life through stunning set designs, dazzling costumes and a dreamy original soundtrack.
Co-produced by Factory International, Jungle Book has already wowed audiences in Paris, Florence, and Antwerp, before arriving in Manchester for its very first shows in English. Soundtracked live by original music from CocoRosie, director Robert Wilson has crafted a magical show set to delight children and adults alike.
Ready to roar with laughter and let your imagination run wild? Welcome to the Jungle Book.
27 - 31 MAR 2024
THE HALL, AVIVA STUDIOS, WATER STREET, MANCHESTER, M3 4JQ
TICKETS
Standard tickets £30, Affordable tickets £15, £10 tickets
This show is suitable for all ages. Please note some scenes feature loud and sudden noises that may not be suitable for some younger children. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult aged over 18.
Running time: 1 hour 15 minutes (no interval)
Accessibility features available for this event: Captioning Audio Description BSL Interpreting Wheelchair Access
AN EVENING WITH ARMISTEAD MAUPIN
Following several successful UK tours, bestselling, much-loved author, and LGBT activist Armistead Maupin is heading back out on the road to celebrate the long-awaited tenth novel in the Tales of the City series Mona of the Manor.
Maupin has been blazing a trail through US popular culture since the 1970s, when his iconic and ground-breaking series Tales of the City was first published as a column in the San Francisco Chronicle. The novel series has been taking the literary world by storm ever since and was recently adapted by Netflix into a critically acclaimed series, starring Laura Linney, Olympia Dukakis, and Elliot Page.
Don’t miss the chance to join America’s ultimate storyteller in conversation with a special guest host, as he recounts his favourite tales from the past four decades, offering his own engaging observations on society and the world we inhabit.
4 APR 2024
THE HALL, AVIVA STUDIOS, WATER STREET, MANCHESTER, M3 4JQ
TICKETS
Prices: £25, £35, £40
DEATH SONGBOOK
An exquisite reimagining of iconic songs exploring love, loss, and transcendence.
Paraorchestra, Brett Anderson and Charles Hazlewood come together for Death Songbook – an anthology of music by icons such as Echo and the Bunnymen, Skeeter Davis, Japan, David Bowie/Jacques Brel and Suede.
Journey through the melancholy and euphoria of loss with new takes on famous songs about death. Amplified by the diversity of Paraorchestra musicians and with new arrangements by composer Charlotte Harding, Death Songbook is a reminder that music is our greatest friend in the darkest of times.
Contrary to Paraorchestra’s bold and electronically influenced output, Death Songbook embraces a predominantly acoustic sound. Celebrate a multiplicity of styles, moods, and textures through an unusual combination of instruments – from the hammered dulcimer to the Wurlitzer piano.
Charles Hazlewood is the Artistic Director of Paraorchestra – a Bristol based ensemble of disabled and non-disabled professionals. They are joined by the lead singer of Suede, Brett Anderson.
26 APR 2024
THE HALL, AVIVA STUDIOS, WATER STREET, MANCHESTER, M3 4JQ
TICKETS
Standard tickets £30
Affordable tickets £15 & £10
A maximum of 4 tickets per person applies.
Age Guideline: Under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+
Running time: 70 mins approx.
Accessibility features available for this event: Wheelchair Access
RECOMMENDED
Tuesday 09 January 2024
Edwin Waugh Dialect Society
Tonight's session is "Not Before Time". Presented by Clare McKee, performance poet, artist, digital artist.
In the Chair: Dave Wood
Edwin Waugh Dialect Society meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month (previously Wednesday) from October to June, commencing at 7.30pm at St Andrew's Methodist and United Reformed Church, Rochdale (between Rochdale Leisure Centre and Aldi). There is free onsite parking.
Annual subscription is £5, but voluntary donations at each meeting help defray the cost of the room hire. Your first meeting is free.
Formed in 1938 by a group of Lancashire Dialect enthusiasts, the objects of the society are the maintaining and increasing of interest in Lancashire.
At the meetings, members are entertained by a speaker or a performer.
Visit the link below for the full 2023 calendar.
Phone: 01706 826227
7.30pm start - 9pm
St Andrew's Methodist and United Reformed Church, Entwistle Road, Rochdale OL16 2HZ
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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