MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 09 APRIL 2025
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- Apr 9
- 5 min read
previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 09 APRIL 2025
Of Mice and Men - A gripping tale of hope and friendship.
Review by Hilary Dawes
Directed by Sarah Brigham and based on John Steinbeck’s classic novella, set during the Great Depression of the 1930’s, this is the story of Lennie and George, two drifters on their way to find work on a Californian ranch, hoping to make enough money to live the great American dream. George feels bound to look after and protect Lennie, a gentle giant with the mind of a young child. Throughout the play, Lennie clings to the vision of tending rabbits on their own farm, fearing his dreams will be dashed if he does anything bad. Whilst repeatedly warning Lennie to keep quiet and stay out of trouble, George doubts whether the childlike Lennie has retained his instructions. Lennie drives him mad, yet he cannot abandon him.
They are offered work, but their hopes are doomed as Lennie, struggling against extreme cruelty and misunderstanding, becomes a victim of his own strength when tragedy strikes. This malice and prejudice is also apparent in the treatment of Crooks, the “stable buck”, excluded from the bunkhouse because he is black, and the treatment of the old blind man Candy, coerced to allow his dog to be shot, because it is old and useless.
With pitch perfect accents, a superbly talented cast brilliantly represented Steinbeck’s characters, including actors with lived experience of the barriers faced, giving us an insight into the attitudes and prejudices of the time.
Liam King was excellent as George, Lennie’s exasperated, yet caring, unofficial parent figure and our hearts went out to the innocent, childlike Lennie, beautifully played by William Young. Benjamin Wilson gave a superlative performance as the blind labourer Candy. His anguish as his beloved dog is killed was palpable, whilst Jeff Alexander’s compelling portrayal of Crooks highlighted his loneliness and bitterness, reduced to living alone with only books for company.
There were remarkable performances too from the other cast members, with Laurence Pears’ calm and sympathetic portrayal of senior ranch hand Slim, in sharp contrast to the aggressive and petulant Curley, convincingly played by Stefan Race, whilst Emma Charlton gave a spirited performance as his unhappy wife. The amiable and voluble labourer Carlson was played with great energy by Tom Fletcher.
Although called upon at short notice, John Elkington as the Boss, is to be commended for his first rate performance covering the character of Whit.
The creative team excelled once again, evoking the atmosphere of the 1930’s ranch through ingenious minimal sets, sound effects and music of the era.
Don’t miss this new production of Steinbeck’s compelling and thought provoking story, which is sure to move and resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Running at the Octagon Bolton until 12 April 2025
The Octagon is in the heart of Bolton town centre, a five minute walk from the bus interchange and train station. The nearest car park is the NCP Octagon Car Park situated on Great Moor Street (BL1 1SN).
Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton, BL1 1SB
Easter Holiday Family Drop-ins at Aviva Studios
Preview by Steve Cooke
Some great free creative arts activities for youngsters with Family Drop-ins throughout the Easter holidays in the Social at Aviva Studios.
Tuesday 8 April: Butterfly Wings - decorate your own wearable butterfly wings with Mila Raczkowska.
Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 April: Butterfly Masks - create your own butterfly mask with Kymara Akinpelumi and Annie Moxon
Friday 11 April: Disco Crowns - make a brightly coloured disco crown with Gemma Hemingway
Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 April: Paper Folding - Join a folding paper workshop with UPTONOGOOD.ART
Thursday 17 and Friday 18 April: Butterfly Masks/Crowns - create your own butterfly mask with Annie Moxon
8 – 18 Apr 2025
Free to attend – no booking required
The Social, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
Wheelchair Access available for this event
The building can be approached along Water Street (coming from Quay Street) or along Liverpool Road (coming from Deansgate or Castlefield).
The Water Street route is the quickest way to arrive at the City Square entrance.
9 to 5 at Hope Mill Theatre
Preview by Steve Cooke
With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, 9 to 5 at Hope Mill Theatre is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s.
A hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic.
Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot they call their boss. In a hilarious turn of events, Violet, Judy and Doralee live out their wildest fantasy – giving their boss the boot! While Hart remains “otherwise engaged,” the women give their workplace a dream makeover, taking control of the company that had always kept them down. Hey, a girl can scheme, can’t she?
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI www.mtishows.co.uk
9th -19th April 2025
Captioned performance 15th April 7.30pm
Relaxed performance 19th April 2.30pm
11+
Hope Mill Theatre, 113 Pollard St, Manchester, M4 7JA
Box Office email: boxoffice@hopemilltheatre.co.uk
Box Office phone: 0161 275 9141
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday 09 April 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Harmony Choir, director Freda Farnworth with accompanist Graham Chamberlain.
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
Wednesday 09 April 2025 - Friday 11 April , Saturday 12 April 2025
2.30pm2025
Princess Ida (Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society)
Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society are delighted to announce this year's production of 'Princess Ida' (Or, Castle Adamant), by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.
This fantastic comic operetta tells the story of a powerful woman who absconds her promised marriage duties to run a woman's university.
As typical for G&S productions, all is not as simple as it seems, and a fantastic set of twists and turns make this show not to be missed.
Rochdale Phoenix Opera Society are an Award-Winning company, highly praised for their Gilbert and Sullivan Productions.
Cash Only Licenced Bar on site.
£14 Adults
Phone: Penny Lydiate 01706 344773
Wed-Fri 7.30pm
Sat Saturday 2.30pm
St Aidan's Church, 10 Manchester Rd, Sudden, Rochdale OL11 3EL
Saturday 12 April 2025
Rochdale Music Society concert: A4 Brass Quartet
From Bach to Bates - a musical journey of silvery sounds.
Adults £14
Students £5
Children £1
Disabled persons with carer £10
Tickets can be purchased on the door or reserved in advance from Graham Marshall 01706 642139
7.30pm
St. Michael's Church, Bamford, Bury and Rochdale Old Road, Heywood OL10 4BB
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
Comments