previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 17 JULY 2024
Old Court Room Comedy Night with Mandy McCarthy, Chris Washington & Dave Twentyman
Preview by Steve Cooke
Old Court Room Comedy Night returns with this fantastic line up.
Mandy McCarthy
An absolutely delightful and fearless act and compere! She can effortlessly entertain any crowd, whether it's a cozy comedy club or a packed theatre.
Originally from the North, Mandy's comedy routine includes a mix of hilarious jokes, tales about family life, the struggles of aging, and lots of audience interaction.
She has hosted numerous comedy clubs, big events, and worked with several comedy promoters, making her a must-see performer who never fails to bring joy to her audiences.
Simply put, Mandy has a natural knack for commanding any room she's in, making her a fantastic host and an absolute pleasure to watch!
LJ Francis:
Brace yourself as LJ Francis takes the spotlight.
His infectious energy and relatable humour has a cancer survivor will have you laughing until your sides hurt.
Chris Washington
Is making waves in the comedy industry and winning over audiences everywhere.
With his charming Northern wit, Chris had a fantastic debut at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where he was even nominated for the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer for his solo stand-up hour, Dream Big (Within Reason).
In 2018, Chris kicked off the year with a bang by bringing his award-nominated show to London’s Soho Theatre, followed by sold-out shows at the Salford Lowry Studio and performances at top festivals like Latitude, Festival 41, Kendal Calling, and Festival No. 6.
Since winning the Re:Play Breakthrough Comedian of the Year and becoming a finalist in the Magners New Comedy Act in 2015, Chris has been on everyone's radar, with many comparing him to a modern-day Peter Kay. A favourite on the live circuit, he has shared the stage with comedy legends like Jason Manford and Tom Stade.
Chris also made a mark online with two sketches for BBC Three’s Quickies series, each garnering over 1 million views and becoming fan favourites.
His show at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe, Chris Washington: Raconteur, received high praise and glowing reviews, solidifying his status as a comedy force to be reckoned with. With his infectious charm and side-splitting stories, it's no surprise that Chris is rapidly climbing to the top of the comedy ladder. Give it up for the one and only Chris Washington!
Dave Twentyman
Dave is upbeat, cheery, down to earth, friendly, warm, quick on his feet…just some words that have been used to describe one of the most naturally funny comics on the UK comedy circuit today.
He has performed at a number of music festivals such as Leeds, V Festival and Download. Its no wonder then that Dave is one of the few modern comedians who proudly features on the Blackpool Comedy Carpet – a relatively new tourist attraction featuring the names of comedy greats from past and present and a huge honour for any comic.
He’s an affable, quick-witted comedian who somehow survived a childhood in St Helens by evolving rapid, startlingly-bright patter and a smile that he somehow stole from Barry Manilow.
With jokes and tales that you can’t help but relate to, he endears himself to even the rowdiest of audiences with ease and quite rightly is in hot demand at the biggest comedy clubs in the UK and overseas.
Dave has appeared on Made In The Northwest (ITV) and his radio credits include XFM Manchester, BBC Manchester & Key 103.
This is an adult show, over 18's only. Please be respectful to the acts and other audience members. Continued talking or interrupting an act, will lead to be being asked to leave the show.
£12
Phone: Richard Attwood 07720 849866
Friday 19 July 2024
8.30pm
The Old Court Room, Above the Flying Horse, Packer Street, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1NJ
HOME Arches
By Steve Cooke
A heads up for our creative community as this September, we will see the opening of HOME Arches, a much needed and very welcome pioneering talent development hub to offer transformational support to artists in the North West.
HOME Arches is a £3.5m project to support artists across a variety of disciplines in Greater Manchester by providing free high-quality studio and training spaces, alongside its extensive programme of residencies, events and workshops.
Spanning three railway arches situated between HOME building and Whitworth Street West, the building and programme design have been created in consultation with artists.
HOME Arches will offer 5,000 hours of free creating space annually, with 50% of studio space dedicated to artists from groups currently underrepresented in the industry, including members of the Global Majority, d/Deaf and disabled artists and artists from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
HOME Arches will transform the quality of studio space in Manchester, incubating outstanding art for audiences here at HOME and beyond.
How can you help?
HOME Arches is being funded through £2.3m UK Government Levelling Up funding, a £0.7m contribution from Manchester City Council and £0.5m fundraised by HOME, including grants from the Foyle Foundation and The Wolfson Foundation.
HOME have £50,000 left to raise for the equipment, tools and facilities required to develop outstanding work.
If you would like to donate to HOME Arches and your support goes beyond bricks and mortar. You will be contributing to funded fellowships, training, and employment opportunities; ensuring the time and space to the creators whose art you love to see on our screens, in our theatres and on our gallery walls.
£25 could supply a stage weight for our theatre makers
£50 could provide a blackboard for artists working and creating in our R&D space
£150 could install a soundbar speaker in the rehearsal room
£320 could cover the cost of eight hours’ worth of studio time for one artist
£1,600 could provide a week’s studio time for one artist
£5,000 could fund ‘Explore & Develop’ grants for new ideas
£10,000 could purchase a lighting control desk
Donate at https://homemcr.org/support/ARCHES/?
Or when buying tickets online https://homemcr.org/visit/ticket-information/or at Box Office 0161 200 1500
RECOMMENDED
Tuesday 16 July 2024 - Saturday 20 July 2024
Syke Arts & Craft Exhibition
A fantastic week long display of 100s of pieces of artwork by local artists across two floors, with demonstrations.
Tuesday 16 July - Launch night reception exhibition open 6pm - 8pm
Wednesday 17 July - Exhibition open 2pm - 4pm | 6pm - 8pm
Thursday 18 July - Exhibition open 2pm - 4pm | 6pm - 8pm
Friday 19 July - Exhibition open 2pm - 4pm | 6pm - 8pm
Saturday 20 July - Exhibition open 10am - 2pm, 3pm onwards open for collection of artwork
Phone: 01706 346666
Tuesday - Friday, 2pm - 4pm & 6pm - 8pm
Syke Community Base, 206 Syke Road, Rochdale OL12 9TF
Wednesday 17 July 2024
Rochdale Photographic Society
Tonight's session - Selection evening for Prestwich battle.
We meet every Wednesday at Rochdale Unitarian Church, starting at 7.30pm prompt (doors open from 7.15pm). The door is kept locked so please ring the bell on arrival.
If you would like to see the club for yourself and meet our members, you are welcome to attend as our guest for up to 3 weeks before committing to membership. Annual subscription is £36 for single or £46 for joint membership.
A weekly room fee of £2.50 is also payable on arrival at the meeting. Refreshments are 50p.
Visit the link below for a full 2024 syllabus.
£2.50 for room fee
Doors open 7.15pm, 7.30pm start
Rochdale Unitarian Church, Clover Street, Rochdale OL12 6TP
Wednesday 17 July 2024
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have Jonathan Ellis concert pianist (RNCM & Manchester University)
The concert series has been held at St Mary’s since 2001 and was granted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020… during the pandemic!
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 17 July
Rochdale Light Orchestra Concert – taking a light-hearted approach!
Programme to include such as Mozart’s Six London Sketches, Gounod’s tongue-in-cheek Funeral March, Ravel’s Suite of music for children, , Henry Mancini’s Moon River, Glen Miller’s Moonlight Serenade and much more.
£8 adults and £5 children
7pmm
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Todmorden Road, Littleborough OL16 9DB
Visit: rochalelightorchestra.org
Thursday 18 July 2024 - Friday 19 July 2024
Visit Fireground Museum
Join us at Fireground this week to discover Greater Manchester's firefighting story.
Fire museum attractions are on show inside the museum including our collection of historic firefighting artefacts from the 18th century to present day, plus home-made refreshments in the new Fireground Café, and souvenirs from our fantastic new gift shop! We have a wide choice ranging from toddler to collector.
Fireground is open to visitors on Thursday and Friday with Saturday being our Summer Family Fun Day , 10am - 4pm.
Under 4s are free, Children (aged 4-15) and Concessions £5, Adults £7 and Family (4 people) £20.
Phone: Fireground 01706 341219
Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Friday 19 July 2024
From Gold To Rio – The Greatest Hits of Spandau Ballet & Duran Duran
Two of the UK’s most iconic bands will be brought to life in one power packed show!
From Gold to Rio will take you on a nostalgic journey back to the New Romantic era which ruled the charts for over a decade. For the very first time the hits from two of the UK’s most iconic bands will be brought to life in one power packed show!
With over 20 Top 10 hits, the show will feature two hours of non-stop classics including Gold, Rio, True, The Reflex, Through The Barricades, Save A Prayer, Lifeline and Girls on Film to name a few, guaranteed to leave the audience shouting for more!
So, if you’re a Duranie, a Spandie, a Wild Boy or a Soul Boy, then this is a show you don’t want to miss!
Tickets from £24.50
Phone: Middleton Arena 0300 303 8633
7.30pm
Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton M24 1AG
Saturday 20 July 2024 - Sunday 21 July 2024
Two Day Stained Glass Workshop – Glazing and Leading.
In this workshop you will learn all the techniques involved in making a leaded glass panel. All materials are provided, including glass, lead and solder. Tools are also provided but participants can bring their own if preferred. The process of constructing a panel will be explained and there will be plenty of time to practice technique.
On day 1, the time will be primarily spent learning to cut glass along cut lines before cutting all the pieces for your design. Once all your glass pieces are cut to size and shape.
On day 2, you will then be shown how to piece them together using lead joints and solder.
For this course you must have good use of your hands and be able to work at a workbench. You should wear old clothes or an apron/overalls.
Health & Safety: Please note that, because of the use of lead, this workshop is not suitable if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
£100
Phone: 01706 924797
10am - 4pm
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1AB
Saturday 20 July 2024 - Sunday 21 July 2024
15 Years of KDA Magic
Kirsten’s Dance Academy presents 15 years of KDA Magic.
A variety dance show showcasing the talents of students aged 3 up to adults.
Saturday performance time is 4pm
Sunday performance times are 12pm and 4pm
£17.00
Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Manchester M24 1AG
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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