previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 15 MARCH 2025
SHREK THE MUSICAL
Preview by Steve Cooke
Our wonderful Rochdale Musical Theatre Company (RMTC) are bringing all your favourite fairytale creatures to Rochdale for nine unforgettable performances!
To be staged at the magnificent Champness Hall, 9-17th May 2025, in the heart of Rochdale town centre, Shrek the Musical follows RMTC’s sell-out runs of Beauty & the Beast and Grease and definitely isn’t one to miss.
Founded in 1898, the society are in their 127th year of bringing musical theatre to Rochdale. With over 1500 tickets already sold for Shrek The Musical; the society are heading for another highly successful run.
Shrek The Musical is a whirlwind fairytale adventure, bringing all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage, with a talented cast, spectacular costumes, fantastic puppets and a live orchestra.
Young and old alike will love following Shrek and Donkey on their daring quest to rescue the feisty Princess Fiona. Meet a soul singing Dragon, a Gingerbread man with attitude, Pinocchio and a whole bunch of fairytale misfits in this hilarious, heart-warming, larger than life musical!
A family friendly show, for all generations to enjoy right on our doorstep.
Tickets £19 and you can book online at rochdalemtc.co.uk.
Your Trust unveils bumper programme of events for the first half of 2025
Preview by Steve Cooke
In Rochdale Borough we have plenty to look forward to in 2025, as Middleton Arena, managed by charity Your Trust, has announced an exciting programme of events for the first half of the year. This bumper schedule sets the stage for what promises to be their biggest year yet offering a wide range of entertainment for everyone.
There are already more than 50 events planned between now and June this year, with acts including stellar tributes to the likes of Oasis, Barbra Streisand and Bon Jovi. The first-ever theatre production celebrating Wicked star and pop icon Ariana Grande also takes the stage this May in a spectacular tribute.
Happy Mondays and Black Grape frontman Shaun Ryder is another big name heading to the area in March for a live show discussing his new book, and Manford’s Comedy Club returns in March and June, with an outstanding line-up who have been personally chosen by Jason Manford.
For one night only in April, Lord Ian Botham, former England cricket captain and one of the most impactful all-rounders of his generation heads to Middleton Arena to discuss his amazing career and everything in between.
May and June are when the party really kicks off! Enjoy One Night of Country Classics, where you can dance to legendary country icons like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. Then, step into Drag Me Back to the 80s for a night of pure nostalgia, featuring an incredible live band performing all the greatest hits from Madonna and Whitney to ABBA and Wham!
In June, the Arena also debuts its first-ever club event ‘Early Doors Day Sesh’ embracing the growing trend of early-curfew club nights designed for those who love to dance but still want to be home and cosy before midnight.
Your Trust is a charity that operates several of the region’s key culture and leisure facilities, including Middleton Arena.
Heather Booth, Deputy Events & Programmes Manager from Your Trust said:
“We’re really excited to unveil our programme of events for the first half of 2025, set to be our biggest year ever. We’re grateful for our loyal audiences who love seeing the best of touring theatre and music on their doorstep and are always looking to expand the choice so we can welcome even more visitors to Middleton Arena”.
The Your Trust charity is part of the Blue Light discount card scheme, giving 15% off most shows to people working in the NHS, emergency services, social care, and armed forces.
Bookings can be made online 24 hours a day or by calling the box office on 0300 303 8633. Lines are open Monday to Friday between 10am and 2:30pm.
For more information about the events on offer this year, please visit www.middletonarena.com.
Factory international present Shakespeare’s Hamlet fused with Radiohead’s Hail to the Thief album!
Preview by Steve Cooke
Factory International have announced the full cast and creative team for the world premiere of Hamlet Hail to the Thief, a feverish new live experience, fusing theatre, music and movement created by Christine Jones, Steven Hoggett and Thom Yorke.
In this dynamic new version of Hamlet Shakespeare’s words are illuminated by Radiohead’s album Hail to the Thief re-worked by Yorke and performed live by a cast of musicians and actors.
Full cast and creative team are announced for the upcoming world premiere opening at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, Manchester (27 April – 18 May 2025) before transferring to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon (4 June - 28 June 2025).
Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, and celebrated directors, Steven Hoggett and Christine Jones have joined forces for this frenetic adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet haunted by Radiohead’s celebrated 2003 album Hail to the Thief.
The cast includes Samuel Blenkin as Hamlet, Ami Tredrea as Ophelia, Paul Hilton as Claudius/ Ghost, Claudia Harrison as Gertrude, Annabel Baldwin as Horatio, James Cooney as Rosencrantz, Brandon Grace as Laertes, Felipe Pacheco as Guildenstern, Tom Peters as Polonius, Romaya Weaver as Gravedigger, Daniel Davids, Kieran Garland and Marienella Phillips (all Off-Stage Swings).
The cast also includes Annabel Baldwin (Tender, Bush Theatre; Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, West End; I hate Suzie, Amazon Prime) as Horatio, Brandon Grace (Cyrano, Park Theatre; London Tide and Much Ado About Nothing both National Theatre) as Laertes, James Cooney (Measure for Measure and Troilus and Cressida, both RSC; Romeo and Juliet, Almeida) as Rosencrantz, Felipe Pacheco (Metamorphosis and Othello, both Frantic Assembly; The Responder, BBC One) as Guildenstern, Tom Peters (Stranger Things and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, both West End; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time, UK tour) as Polonius and Romaya Weaver (The Cabinet Minister, Menier Chocolate Factory) as Gravedigger.
The cast is completed by Daniel Davids (The Lion King and Everybody's Talking About Jamie, both West End), Kieran Garland (The Ocean at the End of the Lane and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, both National Theatre) and Marienella Phillips (Love's Labour's Lost, RSC; A Christmas Carol, The Lowry) who are all Off-Stage Swings.
The band will include Ed Begley, Tom Brady, Joe Downard, Shane Forbes, Megan Hill, Tom Knowles and Adam Martin.
Also announced is choreographer Jess Williams (an associate director and creative practitioner at Frantic Assembly whose other credits include Nye, National Theatre; Richard III, Shakespeare Globe and Lost and Found, Factory International).
Hamlet Hail To The Thief is adapted from Shakespeare’s Hamlet by Christine Jones with Steven Hoggett, directed by Steven Hoggett and Christine Jones, with music by Radiohead, orchestrations by Thom Yorke, scenography by AMP featuring Sadra Tehrani, arrangements by Justin Levine, music supervision by Tom Brady, choreography by Jess Williams, sound design by Gareth Fry, projection design by Will Duke, lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun, costume design by Lisa Duncan, casting by Charlotte Sutton CDG for the RSC, with text consultancy and dramaturgy from Ayanna Thompson.
In this fast-paced distillation of the play, Shakespeare’s words and Radiohead’s album illuminate one another in thrilling new ways as the music becomes a critical part of the narrative. Personally reworked by Yorke, the deconstructed album will be performed live onstage by a cast of 20 musicians and actors.
Elsinore has a new ruler and hectic runs in the blood of its citizens. Hamlet Hail To The Thief centres on Hamlet and Ophelia’s awakening to the lies and corruption in Denmark, gradually revealed by ghosts and music. Paranoia reigns and no one is spared a tragic unravelling.
Hail to the Thief (2003) is Radiohead’s sixth studio album with singles including ‘There There’, ‘2+2=5’ and ‘Go to Sleep’. Recorded in the wake of the September 11 attacks and the subsequent ‘War On Terror’, the album underscores a period of paranoia, fear and anxiety, using a striking mix of rock, unsettling sound experiments and lullaby piano ballad, with dystopian themes incorporating Orwell inspired lyrics and theatrical, Brothers Grimm style fables.
Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQ
27 April – 18 May 2025
Visit: factoryinternational.org
RECOMMENDED
Monday 17 March 2025
St John's Art Group
We hold an 'arts and craft group' in a side room every Monday afternoon. You are invited to come along, meet new friends, enjoy a cup of tea, and chat.
Everyone is welcome, whether you want to bring your own craft project, learn a new skill or just chat.
You can bring your own craft items, or we can provide some materials and support.
Phone: 01706 631973
1pm - 3pm
St John the Baptist R.C. Church, Dowling Street, Rochdale OL11 1EX
Tuesday 18 March 2025
Rochdale & District Camera Club - Prepare for exhibition.
Session: Prepare for exhibition
Get prints made up etc.
You are more than welcome to come down to one of our club nights to see if you would enjoy joining the club.
Visit the link below for the 2025 syllabus.
Phone: Pete Williams 07967 969136
8pm - 10pm
Syke Methodist Church Hall, Syke Road, Rochdale OL12 9TF
Tuesday 18 March 2025
Knit and Natter
We hold a 'Knit and Natter’ in the Marian Room every Tuesday afternoon.
Everyone is welcome to drop by and call in for a chat with friends, old and new.
The church will also be open for anyone who would like to take time for prayer and reflection.
Phone: 01706 631973
1.00pm til 2.30pm
Saint John The Baptist Catholic Church, Dowling Street, Rochdale OL11 1EX
Rochdale Photographic Society
Wednesday 19 March 2025
Tonight's session - Development evening.
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 19 March 2025
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have - Rachel Stonham violin and Hanna Csermely piano (both 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
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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