Fiery thrills on way this month
●●ROCHDALE’S new fire festival
THE countdown to Christmas begins in Rochdale with a spectacular new two-day event and magical family entertainment leading up to the lights switch-on. A free immersive experience for all ages, Ignite will feature incredible flame arches, an elegant ‘Eyeful Tower’ of fire and flame throwing, and a musical fire tree.
‘Ignite’ Fire Festival will transform the gardens opposite Rochdale Town Hall from Saturday, November 25 to Sunday, November, 26.
More than 25 fiery displays, blazing sculptures and illuminated installations created by artists from the UK and abroad will be open to walk through from 4pm to 8pm each evening, with the Christmas lights switchon on Sunday, November 26.
Visitors will be able to follow the trail of flaming chimneys, fire shells, fire pits, magical lights and jaw-dropping special effects.
Street theatre and interactive arts group Travelling Light Circus will host fire shows featuring jugglers, torch spinning and dance for a multi-sensory mesmerising experience along with over 70 local residents that they will have trained specially for the event. Listen and look out for a techno infused performance by ‘Drum Machine’, a 20-strong drumming collective.
For young children there will be lantern making workshops so little ones can take their own homemade lantern to the switch-on. There will also be hot food, mulled wine, and other seasonal drinks.
Father Christmas and his special guests, including Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Mike Holly, will officially switch on the lights at 5.30pm on Sunday, November 26 in front of the town hall, whilst the ‘Ignite’ Fire Festival continues until 8pm.
Ignite is organised by Rochdale Borough Council in partnership with Out There Arts - the National Centre for Outdoor Arts and Circus and Culture Co-op, a ‘Creative People and Places’ programme, funded by Arts Council England.
Cost: Free. Date: Saturday November 25-Sunday, November 26. Time: 4pm-8pm each day. Address: Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ.
●●HOT Orange at the Contact Theatre
Hot Orange follows Amina and Tandeki as they navigate what it takes to sustain love and friendship beyond childhood idealism - and the moment you fall in love.
‘It’s summer. It’s hot. Like really hot. Like ice pop after melting ice pops hot. Like an orange midday sun hot.’
Across the divide of a scorched basketball court two girls meet, shoot hoops, and discover their shared obsessions.
But will faith, growing pains and the darker reactions of others get in the way of that long, hot, orange summer? A decade later the past walks back into view when 18-year-old Amina is confronted by her childhood best friend Tandeki.
Can they reignite the spark of friendship by untangling their hurt feelings? Hot Orange, by Amal Khalidi
and Tatenda Naomi Matsvai, is the latest production from Half Moon, the UK’S leading small-scale young people’s venue and touring company. It will be presented in their multiaward-winning immersive theatrical style.
Cost: £15 full price - concessions available. Dates: Tuesday, November 28 to Thursday, November 30. Times: 1.30pm and 7:30pm. Duration: 60 minutes, plus 20-minute Q&A. Age: 13+.
Please note, this is a standing show with limited available seating. Contact boxoffice@contactmcr.com with any queries or requests.