Full house as festival of literature launches
IT was a full house at Touchstones for the launch of this year’s Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival.
A preview evening on Thursday (October 11) included two live theatre performances and guest speakers, ahead of the eight-day celebration of arts and culture.
The evening featured the premiere of A Different Story of Rochdale by Rochdale playwright Danny Lamb, winner of this year’s local young writers’ competition.
Danny has been mentored by award-winning playwright Nicola Schofield, developing his draft into a powerful 30-minute piece of theatre which will be toured to schools by M6 Theatre Company over the coming months.
Louis Tweedale, Rochdale’s Member of Youth Parliament, spoke about the upcoming festival highlights and how the festival is engaging with younger audiences through the Young Producers scheme.
Rochdale Youth Theatre presented a new piece, Streaks, which focuses on the pressures of social media on young people’s mental health.
Opening the launch event, Coun Janet Emsley, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture, said there is a lot to look forward to this year.
“This festival is one of the most eagerly awaited weeks on our calendar and for our sixth year we’ve another exceptional line up,” she added.
“As well as events that will make you think, there’s lots of entertainment and, as well as the well-known names, there are some innovative gems in the programme too, so do explore and try something a bit different.”
Council leader Allen Brett said: “This festival is now firmly established on the borough’s cultural calendar, attracting local, national and international names to Rochdale as well as visitors from right across the region and beyond.
“I’m pleased to see such a strong line up of established and emerging talent for 2018, from brilliant writers to comedians, poets, playwrights, broadcasters and artists, as well as children’s events – you’ve no excuse for not getting along to this festival.”
Fifteen venues will stage performances for this year’s festival, which runs until Monday, October 22, with well-known names like BBC presenter and triathlete Louise Minchin and women’s rights activist Dr Helen Pankhurst on the bill.
For the full line-up and to book tickets, visit www. rochdaleliteraturefestival. co.uk.