previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER 2024
ROCHDALE-BASED PRODUCTION COMPANY TACKLES VAWG [VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS WITH NEW SCHOOLS PRODUCTION ‘BLIND SIDE’
Preview by Steve Cooke
Breaking Barriers, a Rochdale-based, multi-disciplinary production company, is currently touring Blind Side, a monologue for young people on the topic of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in schools in Greater Manchester.
The story focuses on 14-year-old Summer, who is the only girl in her school football team. There is so much at stake with the team about to head into a crucial cup match and the coach has made her Captain. But her phone just won’t stop pinging as she sits alone in her bedroom. Nasty texts and hurtful comments from those she thought were her friends. In this powerful monologue, Summer tells us a story as the clock ticks down to full time and her social media erupts.
What has happened to lead her to this point? What decisions will Summer make, and what actions should she take to play on the team of her dreams?
Kate Green, Deputy Mayor, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Police, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire said: “There is a lot we have seen from Blind Side that we need to think about developing. Having age-appropriate material to share with young people is crucial whilst also making sure adults know how to have these discussions.”
Jayne Harthan, Population Health Programme Officer (Domestic Abuse) said: “My initial thoughts after watching Blindside are WOW! It’s powerful, there is physical abuse that is recognised but also those other nuanced behaviours that are harmful. It tackles social norms and ‘banter’ but really shows how Summer is feeling at the end of all this .”
The monologue is followed by a facilitation where the target audience (aged 9 – 13) talk about the topic of VAWG, and the facilitator helps them to identify the signs of abusive and violent behaviour, notice un/healthy relationships, and know how to seek help and be an ally to a friend in this situation.
Joe Chlebik, Children and Young Persons Young Persons Manager, Talk, Listen, Change, said: “Blindside should be in every school, every year, every borough. It makes such a big difference in terms of what young girls and women are facing. Equally for young men and boys for them to recognise their own behaviours, where it is learnt and how it impacts their friendships and peers…especially with the rise of social media and the people they might look up to.”
Originally commissioned in 2022 by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council and GM Police to tackle VAWG, Breaking Barriers created the piece by speaking to over 1000 young people across Tameside about their experiences of street safety, social media and un/healthy relationships. Their words have directly influenced the script and story, and although anonymised they show the huge issue that many young people are facing on a daily basis. Blind Side highlights how social media shapes youth communication while exposing the reality of how violence against women and girls (VAWG) unfolds online. Using the power of drama, Breaking Barriers engages young people and adults to have conversations around the topic of VAWG.
Simon Linnegar, Head of RESPECT ( Ethics, Philosophy, Religion, PSHE and Citizenship) at Denton Community College said: “I would recommend highly having
Breaking Barriers come to your school and deliver these sessions. They are fantastic.”
Creative Team
Originally Commissioned by Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council and GM Police
Written by Nicola Schofield and Mary Cooper, Directed by Parvez Qadir, Produced by Jodie Ratcliffe, Tour Managed by Jessica Bennett, Sound Design by Tariq Emam, Photography Louisa Mayman
Further Information, please contact: Jodie Ratcliffe Executive Producer, Breaking Barriers Email: breakingbarrierstours.@gmail.com
Breaking Barriers is a Rochdale-based, multi-disciplinary production company that creates exceptional films, theatrical productions, binaural audio pieces and outdoor walking tours with local communities and international artists. We make work through co-creation with young people and diverse communities, using creativity to make real change, elevating appetite and ambition to transcend socio-economic barriers and opening possibilities that inspire the next generation.
Website: Breaking Barriers Rochdale |
Facebook: Breaking Barriers | Facebook
Instagram: @rochdale.breakingbarriers
You Tube: @breakingbarrierscic8748
Graham Barber at ORTOA
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside Organists’ Association, est. 1908) became nomadic during the renovation of Rochdale Town Hall, where they had to suspend their celebrity recitals on the world-famous JJ Binns organ. However, this allowed them to explore other worthy organs in its patch. One such gem was the wonderful Lewis organ at Albion UR Church in Ashton. It was here they presented their annual Brereton Memorial Concert with celebrity organist Graham Barber on Saturday 12 October 2024 at 3 pm.
The Brereton Memorial Fund (breretonfund.org.uk) was founded in memory of Philip and Gwen Brereton who died in December 2000. Throughout their lives they were volunteers for ORTOA, the Royal College of Organists and the Incorporated Association of Organists, where they organised the Annual Congress.
It was fitting and fortunate that Graham Barber should be the soloist, regarded as one of the foremost British concert organists of his generation. Following his début at London’s Royal Festival Hall in 1979 he has played in most major international venues and was described in Gramophone magazine as ‘one of the organ world’s finest recording artists.’
Emeritus Professor of Music at the University of Leeds, as well as RNCM tutor, in 2024, he was awarded the Royal College of Organists’ Medal for distinguished achievement.
Prof Barber’s programme was admirably suited to the Albion’s Lewis instrument in its splendid Grade II* listed setting. The big screen letting us see his hands at work at the four manuals was a bonus.
After succinct and authoritative introductions, he opened with Alfred Hollins’ brilliant Trumpet Minuet and contrasting Intermezzo in D flat. Next, JS Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543 was glorious with some nifty footwork.
Graham’s own arrangements of pieces for harmonium by Sigfrid Karg-Elert added some fresh twentieth century sounds, followed by a full-blooded symphonic Praeludium by Rheinberger.
Delightful pieces by British composers Norman Cocker and Percy Whitlock, culminated in Stanford’s Marcia Eroica, where the distinctive tuba stop guaranteed a grand finale.
Philip and Gwen Brereton would have been thoroughly satisfied with this exemplary recital. They would also be delighted that Jonathan Scott, the Honorary President of ORTOA, will present his popular Christmas Organ Concert on Wednesday 18th December at 2 pm in the newly renovated Great Hall.
STOP PRESS – just confirmed, a new series of ORTOA celebrity organ concerts back at the Town Hall will begin on Saturday January 25th at 3.00pm – watch this space!
RECOMMENDED
Saturday 26 October 2024
Marvellous Markets
Join us at Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre located in Central Square (near Iceland and Poundland store)
Visit our indoor market, bag yourself a unique treat, meet the marvellous makers, see their amazing creations, come and grab yourself a bargain.
9am - 5pm
Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre, Yorkshire Street, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1BA
Saturday 26 October 2024
Halloween in Rochdale Town Centre
Ghoulish activities to get you in the Halloween spirit.
Be prepared to meet Jack Skellington at various times throughout the day.
Visit the Halloween pop up park featuring a free face painter and a host of family friendly ghoulish activities.
Complete the Halloween word search to be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher from The Works
Contact: Rochdale BID
Rochdale Riverside, Riverside Walk, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1TR
Sunday 27 October 2024
Powerful Poetry Writing Workshop
How have poets in the past and present used their voices to advocate for change? In this workshop, you can find your voice in verse to empower change today.
Whether you've never written poetry or are an established poet looking to try something new, this workshop offers an open space to explore, experiment, and experience the power of poetry.
Inspired by existing poetry that protests against injustice and champions change, Jayran and Ruth-Anne will support attendees in finding their voice through creative writing exercises and supported free writing sessions.
Free
2pm - 4pm
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
Monday 28 October 2024
Grandparent Storytime
Calling all 0 to 5 year olds and their grown-ups to come and listen to stories read by Grandparents who will bring the story to life for the children in our communities.
If you are interested in volunteering for a story-time role, please see a member of staff or visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/libraries/library-volunteers
Free
Phone: Tracey Tomlinson 07356 182030
10am to 11am
Langley Library, Langley Children's Centre, Windemere Road, Manchester M24 4LA
Tuesday 29 October 2024
Cirque Du Magique
Cirque Du Magique is not your ordinary circus – it’s a mesmerising spectacle that makes you believe the unbelievable.
Prepare to suspend your disbelief as our talented performers take you on a journey into the extraordinary.
Our incredible magicians will challenge your perception of reality with mind-bending illusions that will leave you in awe.
Get ready to witness objects vanish into thin air, minds being read with astonishing accuracy, and the impossible happening right before your eyes.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic of Cirque Du Magique.
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for, book your tickets now and prepare to be amazed.
From £22
7:00pm Doors open: 6:30pm
Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Manchester M24 1AG
Tuesday 29 October 2024
Lunchtime Concerts: Susan Fletcher, soprano.
The Coach House in Littleborough arranges a series of Lunchtime Concerts on the last Tuesday of every month throughout the year (excluding December) and these have proved to be very popular.
Each concert commences at 1pm and there is no need to reserve a seat in advance.
£5 per person (payable on the door)
Phone: Littleborough Coach House 01706 378481
1pm
Littleborough Coach House, Lodge Street, Littleborough OL15 9AE
Tuesday 29 October 2024
M6 Theatre - A Tigers Tale
M6 Theatre presents a fantastical production by the award-winning playwright Mike Kenny.
Based on the extraordinary story of Fenella, the Holmfirth Tiger, A Tiger's Tale is a high-spirited balancing act of circus, puppetry, live music and song.
From a circus train in South Africa, to a steamboat on the Atlantic Ocean and onward to West Yorkshire, a ramshackle travelling troupe tell us the unbelievable true story of a family of acrobats and their adopted tiger cub.
Join Titch, Ma and Pa on their riotous adventure into a world where ‘all the best stories end with a surprise.’
For ages 4-11 and family audiences.
50 mins.
From £4
Phone: 01706 924797
11am and 1.30pm
Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
Wednesday 30 October 2024
Rochdale Shops of Days gone by - Iain Bowden
Again, we welcome Iain who gives excellent talks and this walk will evoke memories of most Rochdale people who like to look back and remember the "good old days".
Free, but donations gratefully accepted.
Phone: Lynne Nield 01706 655094
7pm for 7.30pm start
St Andrews UR Church, Entwisle Road, Rochdale OL16 2HZ
Wednesday 30 October 2024
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have Charlotte Thomson soprano (RNCM), Mila Johannsen mezzo soprano (RNCM), Minyu Shi piano (all 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… 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 30 October 2024
Free Drama Workshops
Two Shires Drama is kicking off free drama workshops.
Ever been told you should give acting a try? Or maybe you're just someone who loves fiction and drama? Whether you've always wanted to be on stage or you’re just curious, this is your chance!
No pressure, no experience needed—just come along, have fun, and see where it takes you. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the stage.
Let’s make this unforgettable!
Our workshops offer:
Theatre games.
Drama skills.
Acting exercises that aim to build confidence, self-esteem and friendships.
These session are suitable for ages 16+ and run weekly.
Free
Phone Jules Howliston 07909 505461
6pm
Caring and Sharing Community Hub, 78 Yorkshire Street, Town centre, Rochdale OL16 1JU
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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