previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 08 FEBRUARY 2025
Gripping new production of Steinbeck’s classic novella comes to the Octagon this spring.
Preview by Steve Cooke
Steinbeck’s Of mice and Men is a must-see production, directed by Derby Theatre Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Sarah Brigham, at the Octagon from Wednesday 26 March – Saturday 12 April.
Of Mice and Men tells the story of Lennie and George - two drifters who embark on one heart-breaking journey. The unlikely best friends are bound together with a shared faith and the ambition to live the Great American Dream. This play is a compelling story laced with tragedy…a must-see production for anyone who has ever tried to pursue a long-held dream.
The full cast includes: Jeff Alexander as Crooks (Cymbeline and The Duchess of Malfi for the RSC, Romeo and Juliet for Shakespeare’s Globe, The Shawshank Redemption for Bill Kenwright UK Tour and Of Mice and Men for Newbury Watermill plus Brief Encounters, Last Tango in Halifax, Hollyoaks and Waterloo Road for TV); Emma Charlton as Curley’s Wife (Beauty and the Beast for Harlequin Theatre Big Top and previously part of Derby Theatre Youth Theatre with credits including A Christmas Carol, Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland); Tom Fletcher as Carlson (Oliver Twist for Tobacco Factory, Drac & Jill for Wardrobe Theatre, Little Women in Black for Wardrobe Theatre, and Extraordinary on TV for Disney+); Liam King as George (Romeo & Juliet for Shakespeare's Globe, Macbeth for Royal Shakespeare Company, An Edinburgh Christmas Carol for Royal Lyceum Theatre, Pinocchio for Citizens Theatre); Rob Maloney as The Boss (A Clockwork Orange and Titus Andronicus for Action to the Word and Soho Theatre, All Creatures Great and Small for Bill Kenwright Ltd., Absent Friends for Devonshire Park Theatre plus Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Casualty and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story for TV); Afton Moran as Whit (Ghost Off! and Ness for A Play, A Pie and A Pint/Sanctuary Queer Arts, Faun for Cardboard Citizens/Theatre503/Alphabetti Theatre, Sex Education Xplorers for Independent Arts plus Not Seeing Straight: Celebrating Queer Art and Lives, 68 Months in Waiting: Scenes For Survival and Ghost Light for film/TV/audio); Laurence Pears as Slim (Magic Goes Wrong in the West End for Mischief Theatre/Kenny Wax, The Mousetrap for Adam Spiegel Productions, The Things We Do For Love for The Old Laundry Theatre, Cornish for Jam First Theatre); Stefan Race as Curley (Let the Right One In for Manchester Royal Exchange, Cherry Jezebel for Liverpool Everyman, Wendy and Peter Pan for Leeds Playhouse, plus Eric, G’wed and Temple for TV); Luke Richards as Lennie (Steven Berkoff's East for 5064 Productions, Failure Studies for Precarious Theatre/GM Fringe/Camden Fringe, Nuns of Fury for Rocket Whip Productions plus Alma's Not Normal, disaster Dates and Ringside for TV); Ben Wilson as Candy (Macbeth and Oliver Twist for Leeds Playhouse; Three Billy Goats Gruff and Chicken Licken for Derby Theatre, A Midsummer Night’s Dream for the Royal Shakespeare Company); and Wiliam Young as Lennie (Of Mice and Men for Birmingham Rep/Leeds Playhouse/Fiery Angel, Enter the Robots for Hijinx, Mission Control for Hijinx and National Theatre Wales, Boho for Hijinx and Theatr Clwyd). The role of Lennie will be played by Wiliam Young and at certain performances by Luke Richards. Casting of William Young is in association with Access All Areas.
Of Mice and Men is still as potent and timely now as it was when it was first published in 1937. With themes of prejudice, migration, and friendship, this play—which is based on Steinbeck's beloved novella—continues to touch and speak to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Of Mice and Men plays at the Octagon Theatre Bolton Wed 26 March - Sat 12 April.
Tickets start from £15 and are on-sale now.
Find out more and book tickets via the Octagon Box Office on 01204 520661 or at
A celebration of twentieth century English Art Song by women composers at TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
Two first rate performers returned to St Mary in the Baum with a celebration of twentieth century English Art Song by women composers. In Art Song, as with C19 German lieder, text, music, voice and piano all have equal significance. There was a substantial outpouring of this genre in the C19 and C20 including works by women composers who may not have had the publishing or performances they merited. This recital helped to redress that in the capable hands of two first rate interpreters.
Chester based mezzo-soprano Imogen Garner studied at the RNCM and has sung as a soloist in concerts, live broadcasts on BBC Radio 4, several opera companies and as a soloist with choral societies.
Born and bred in Chester, John Gough enjoys a busy career combining solo playing, accompaniment and teaching at the RNCM. He has broadcast many times on BBC Radio 3 and as a soloist with orchestras. In addition to accompanying superbly he also introduced the items throughout in a succinct, informative and engaging manner.
Imogen has a wonderful mezzo-soprano tone and John proved to be an admirable partner at the piano.
The composers in this programme deserve to be remembered in print, beginning with Madeleine Dring (1923- 1977) with her three settings of Shakespeare texts from the 1940s. She often accompanied her own soprano singing, and her accompaniments tend to be lively with a jazzy feel as for revue or cabaret.
The second set by Muriel Herbert (1897-1984) explored texts by James Joyce, William Blake, and WB Yeats in original ways.
Further moving settings of Yeats’ poetry came from Dorothy Parke (1904-1990), Dilys Elwyn-Edwards (1918-2012) and Margaret Wegener (1920-2020).
The Mary Plumstead (1905-1980) setting of Ha’nacker Mill is quite well known as well as a large religious choral output.
Closer to home was Winifred Bury (1897-1980) from Sale and a student at the Royal Manchester College of Music, with Come to me in my Dreams, Over the Sea, and Go not happy day.
The lively Three Jolly Gentlemen by Todmorden-born composer Dorothy Pilling, a well-loved educationist as well as a gifted composer, proved a lively encore to finish.
There are few opportunities these days to hear live performances of this kind of song. Many of these examples appear on lists for examination and competitions, otherwise this wealth of material has become an endangered species. This recital by Imogen and John would make a worthy CD of such fine music and a tribute to women composers.
The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade-1 listed St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
Blithe Spirit at Hope Mill Theatre
Preview by Steve Cooke
Mill favourites HER Productions (Vignettes, Taming of the Shrew) are back this February with a fierce, funny and feminist twist on the Noel Coward classic, Blithe Spirit.
Cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine invites the eccentric medium and clairvoyant Madame Arcati to his house to conduct a séance, hoping to gather material for his next book. The scheme backfires when he summons the ghost of his first wife Elvira, who refuses to leave him alone.Elvira is determined to cause trouble with Charles' new wife to Ruth, who can neither see nor hear her predecessor.Cue much silliness and plenty of giggles in this fresh take on one of Coward's best loved productions.
12 - 22 February
Hope Mill Theatre, 113 Pollard Street, Manchester M4 7JA
A 2 minute walk from New Islington Metrolink Station. Just one stop from Manchester Piccadilly.
Car park on site, it is free to use, but cannot guarantee spaces. On street parking is limited to 90 minutes. There is a paid-for car park near to New Islington Metrolink Station.
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