Rochdale What's On: September 7

WHAT'S ON: Emme Patrick and Eden Patrick star in Identical at the Lowry (Image: Pamela Raith Photography)

Identical at The Lowry

Reviewed by Steve Griffiths

Identical at the Lowry proved to be a production to enchant all ages from 8 to 80.

Based on a book and film - The Parent trap - it brought together a superb young cast to sing, dance and act their cotton socks off.

The director, Trevor Nunn, ran the RSC for 15 years and loves plays about twins.

Which is helpful as the musical is about how two brave young women, separated at birth, can overcome the barriers provided by their so-called betters (the parents) to realise their destiny to be as one again.

The twins, all actually twins, have a starring role as actors, singers and dancers.

How they manage to learn the dialogue and do their ordinary schoolwork is something to marvel at.

On stage for virtually the whole of the 2.5 hours they made me feel tired just thinking about it.

If you buy the programme, which I recommend, then you will see three pairs of twins to ensure that the show can always go on.

Being 12 must be great fun for them all. And when they go back to school after the summer the question of what you did will have a super answer, I visited Salford and Nottingham and then I did my homework.

Usually when the set is mentioned it means that the play is less than ordinary.

Not this time. A superb use of space and ingenuity to create any number of worlds. Quickly.

The music, written by the team that wrote Honk, uses the voices and talents of the performers to good effect.

And you can hear the words as all the actors, including the full young cast, know how to project.

The dog has a small but fun part. And the adults who clearly have not learnt that to play opposite either a child or a dog is not the thing to do, perform manfully to support the great stars of the play.

At the end of the day the key is the quality of the young twins. They were superb.

Another hit for the Lowry. Given the amount that they will have to pay for their energy bill in future, get down there and support them.

Currently on until Sunday, October 30 is Picture Featuring six popular children’s books that have a strong visual identity on the page and have also been vividly brought to life on stage.

For more information visit the Lowry website here.

Edwin Waugh Society presentation supper

By Alyson Brailsford

Members and friends of the Edwin Waugh Dialect Society gathered at St Andrew’s United Reformed and Methodist Church to celebrate the author’s birth and hold their annual Presentation supper where the traditional potato pie was enjoyed.

In a break with tradition the usual March event was held in summer, due to COVID-19 and newly-elected President, Mrs. June Schofield opening the Presentation evening with Harvey Kershaw’s Lancashire Grace.

After the meal Competition Secretary Mr Stewart Chadwick announced the cup and trophy winners:

• Richard Holland Cup, Mr Denis Clarke
• Harry Craven Cup, Mrs Betty Lightfoot
• Ann Ridgeon Cup, Mrs Dorothy Snelson
• Edith Grayshan Goblet, Michael Higgins
• Vicar Shaw Trophy, Mrs Dorothy Snelson
• June Schofield Cup for young writers, Phoebe James
• Newcomer to Waugh competitions Ian Aitchison won the kissing shuttle:

Anyone interested in joining the society or coming to a meeting is invited to contact the Secretary. Telephone. 07773 710325 for more information.

Monthly meetings will recommence at St Andrews on Tuesday, October 11.

Winner of the kissing shuttle Ian Aitchison’s book Rhymes for Our Times has just been published and the launch will be previewed in the weekend column.

WHAT’S ON

From Thursday, September 8 to Saturday, September 10

Fireground Museum Open Day

Fire museum attractions are on show inside the museum including the collection of historic firefighting artefacts from the 18th century to the present day, plus home-made refreshments in the Fireground Café, and souvenirs from the gift shop with a wide choice ranging from toddler to collector.

Date: Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm

Tickets: Under 4s are free, children (aged 4-15) and concessions £5, adults £7 and family (4 people) £20

Phone: Fireground on telephone 01706 341219

More information? Visit the website here

Address: Fireground, Maclure Road, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL11 1DN

Thursday, September 8

National Theatre Live: Much Ado About Nothing

Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) and John Heffernan (Dracula) lead the cast in Shakespeare’s romcom of sun, sea and mistaken identity.

The legendary family-run Hotel Messina on the Italian Riviera has been visited by artists, celebrities and royalty.

But when the owner’s daughter weds a dashing young soldier, not all guests are in the mood for love.

A string of scandalous deceptions soon surrounds not only the young couple, but also the adamantly single Beatrice and Benedick.

Following the award-winning success of National Theatre Live’s Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Night and Antony and Cleopatra, director Simon Godwin returns with this irresistible comedy, broadcast live from the National Theatre stage.

Tickets: From £10

Phone: Middleton Arena 0300 303 8633

Address: Middleton Arena, LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton M24 1AG

Time: 7pm

More information?: Visit the website here

Contact Steve Cooke by visiting the website at: www.allacrossthearts.com or sending an email to: stevecswct@gmail.com

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