previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2025
Be transported to sunny Greece with this beloved northern comedy at the Octagon!
Review by Hilary Dawes
Directed by Lotte Wakeham, Mina Anwar reprises the title role in Willy Russell’s heartwarming one-woman comedy. With his blessing, Mina has re-set the play in Lancashire and although now almost forty years since the original production, it still resonates with immense heart and humour.
Housewife Shirley feels stuck in a rut and frustrated now that the kids have flown the nest. Her friend Jane has persuaded her to go on holiday to Greece, and now she’s starting to have second thoughts!
Although ostensibly addressing the wall, Shirley includes every member of the audience in the conversation, with hilarious anecdotes, from her own early school days to her son’s disastrous first nativity play, and encounters along the way with her high school nemesis and her snobbish next door neighbour. Mina Anwar’s expert comedic and mimicry skills make us forget she is alone on stage, as we envisage every character she so vividly describes. But the mood changes, and we realise Shirley is far from happy with her lot, totally unappreciated by her husband Joe and taken for granted by her daughter. As she reflects on her life and opportunities missed, she knows that the trip to Greece is exactly what she needs. But is it right “at her age”? And how to tell Joe? He’ll only talk her out of it.
As she talks, Shirley is preparing Joe’s tea, with potatoes peeled, cut, chipped and cooked, whilst eggs are fried on the hob. Mina’s ability to continue her monologue so naturally, whilst simultaneously producing egg and chips for two was just astonishing!
Three weeks later, after leaving a note for Joe on the kitchen table, Shirley heads off to the sun to discover herself.
In the second act, with a beautiful backdrop of sea and sand, we see a very different Shirley. As she sits on the taverna patio overlooking the sea, she reflects on her experiences in Greece. She has finally found her voice and realised that hopes and dreams don’t have to be locked away - it just takes a little bravery to set them free.
Hilarious and poignant by turns, this story will resonate with many of us, who maybe need to take a page out of Shirley’s book and just be that little bit braver! This is a play which will touch your heart and raise your spirits, thanks to the wonderful script and superlative acting skills of Mina Anwar.
Huge praise must also go to the exceptional creative and stage management teams, for immersing us in Shirley’s world both at home (with those incredible culinary challenges!) and abroad on that sun-drenched beach.
Running at the Octagon Bolton until 8th March 2025.
Visit: octagonbolton.co.uk
Phone: 01204 520661
Octagon Theatre Howell Croft South, Bolton BL1 1SB · 11 mi
39 Steps at Bolton Octagon now in Rehearsal
Preview by Steve Cooke
As the brilliant production of Shirley Valentine comes to a close of its highly successful run at the Octagon, rehearsals are underway for the hilarious stage adaptation of 39 Steps.
Follow the dashing Richard Hannay as he embarks on a thrilling adventure filled with daring antics, romantic encounters and ghastly murders. Get set for a whirlwind of suspense taking you from the bustling streets of London to the remote Scottish Highlands, as four talented actors play over 150 characters. Don’t miss this exhilarating escapade that will have you laughing, gasping, and cheering for more!
Experience the mystery of Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic spy thriller, The 39 Steps, in Patrick Barlow’s brilliantly hilarious stage adaptation. This Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy comes to life in a brand new production.
Apparently, the actors have been having a hoot in rehearsals as they get to grips with bringing to life Patrick Barlow's brilliantly bonkers stage adaptation.
The 39 Steps - Adapted by Patrick Barlow - From the novel by John Buchan - From the movie by Alfred Hitchcock - And an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon - Directed by Ryan McBryde
Wed 16 Apr - Sat 10 May 2025
Tickets from £15
Johanna showed Olympian stamina in a fascinating recital, with three clarinets for the price of one at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
Manchester-based clarinettist Johanna Leung graduated with a master’s from the RNCM in 2021. She gives solo and chamber performances and has been invited to high-profile festivals. She made her first own composition premiere in MIF23 at the Festival Square.
Today, Johanna brought with her three types of clarinet: clarinet in A, clarinet in Bb and bass clarinet. The last of these is a fascinating instrument with an individual timbre but requires ‘lots of puff’. A firm favourite in concert wind bands, it is unusual to find it as a solo instrument. Johanna showed how effective it can be in a stunning performance of her own arrangement of Prelude from Cello Suite No 1 in G by JS Bach. Guardians of the cello repertoire had better watch out, there’s a bass clarinet about!
Johanna then turned to the more usual clarinet in A for Fantasiestücke Op 73 by Robert Schumann for which she was joined by the multi-talented Henry Page (who had to leave for Itay via London directly after the concert). Henry studied Composition and Voice at the University of Manchester, before completing a master’s in composition at the RNCM, where he was a 2021 Gold Medal winner. His diverse portfolio also includes singing, direction and continuo and he is the musical director of Saddleworth Musical Society.
The two made fine concert partners with excellent communication and shared interpretation.
Elegy for bass clarinet and piano followed, an evocative piece by modern composer Dirk Brossé, beautifully and skilfully executed.
Then Johanna chose the clarinet in Bb for Finzi’s Five Bagatelles. These well-known pieces along with the Schumann are central to the solo repertoire and Johanna’s playing provided a masterful introduction to the instrument.
Full marks for musicality but also for Johanna’s Olympian stamina!
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. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday 26 February 2025
Rochdale Photographic Society
Tonight's session - Club meeting.
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.
Doors open 7.15pm, 7.30pm start
Rochdale Unitarian Church, Clover Street, Rochdale OL12 6TP
Wednesday 26 February 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Jonathan Ellis concert pianist (Manchester University & 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
Thursday 27 February 2025 - Saturday 01 March 2025
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.
Under 4s are free, Children (aged 4-15) and Concessions £5, Adults £7 and Family (4 people) £20.
Phone: Fireground 01706 341219
Open Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 10am - 4pm
Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale OL11 1DN
Friday 28 February 2025
The World Famous Elvis Show starring world renowned Chris Connor
Voted by the first ever world-wide Elvis Presley fan poll as – The greatest Elvis Tribute in the World ! – awarded in Memphis.
This show respectively and authentically recreates ELVIS at his very best recreating 2 concerts! – selling out in all theatres.
You will simply feel that you have been transported back in to time.
This show is made by Elvis fans for Elvis fans.
From £29.50
7:30pm Doors open: 6:45pm
Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Manchester M24 1AG
Friday 28 February 2025
Castleton Literary and Scientific Society
Middleton's Golden Cluster.
A history of Middleton - a talk by Leon McLeod, local historian.
Annual Membership £25 ; Visitors welcome £3 per meeting
Phone: Barry Hobson 07724135099
7pm.
Castleton Community Centre, Manchester Road, Castleton, Rochdale OL11 3AF
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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