Rochdale Observer

Play time at the Curtain Theatre

- PLAY AT THE CURTAIN THEATRE PREVIEW: STEVE COOKE

PREPARE to be transporte­d through the mind of playwright Brian Simpson who takes us on a hilarious journey with an unsuspecti­ng and surprising cast. In true theatrical tradition “The show must go on” at the Curtain Theatre.

The Theatre took its name from the Elizabetha­n ‘Curtyn Theatre’, in London, at which Shakespear­ean plays were first performed (even before The Globe Theatre’s existence). In 2015 the Curtain Theatre celebrated 90 years of putting on production­s, without a break, even during the war years.

After enduring some difficulti­es putting on production­s first at the Drill Hall, near the old fire station, and then in a school hall in Deeplish, The Curtain Theatre moved into its present premises in 1933.

They are proud to say that many of the customs that were used throughout their humble beginnings, still exist today. For example, because cast members were often required to help, ‘front of house,’ a gown with a hood, or domino, was introduced to help to conceal their identities before they appeared on stage.

Saturday 10 February 7.30pm, Sunday 11 February 2.15pm, Monday 12 - Friday 16 February 7.30pm, Saturday 17 February 4.00pm Phone: Danny Groves 01706 642 008. Visitcurta­intheatre rochdale.uk/play/. The Curtain Theatre, 47 Milkstone Road, Rochdale. royalexcha­nge.co.uk/event/shed -exploded-view/#performanc­es.

There is also a series of free wraparound events that engage with some of the themes of the play with a focus on the topic of domestic abuse in our society.

●●Allie Crewe’s I Am Exhibition On the Garages in the Great Hall. These portraits, from the series I Am, are a visual narrative reclaiming the face or body. They ask us to confront their gaze, pay attention to their trauma and survival, and note their resilience. All of the people here have lived experience of intimate partner crime. The work was commission­ed by SICK! and Safelives

2020 - 2022.

Panel Discussion­s in The Studio, Monday 19 February 5.306.30pm: Domestic Abuse and How Employers Can Support. Monday 26 February 5.30-6.30pm: Domestic Abuse and Systemic Policy. These events are free and will have live captioning.

Save with season tickets - looking to budget but still have fun? You can book all four shows in the Spring Summer 2024 Season and save 25% off the total ticket price. This means you could get to see 4 shows from just £66.

As well as Shed: Exploded View, they’ve got Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste Of Honey based in Salford, 2017 Pulitzer-prize winning drama Sweat by Lynn Nottage, and Oscar Wilde’s legendary comedy The Importance of Being Earnest.

Shed: Exploded View is on until Saturday 2 March, 2024. Visit: https://www.royalexcha­nge.co. uk/event/shed-exploded-view/. Phone: 0161 833 9833. Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square.

 ?? Dr Joe Dawson ?? ●●St Chad’s Rochdale Parish Church organ recital with John Hosking (Blackburn Cathedral)
Dr Joe Dawson ●●St Chad’s Rochdale Parish Church organ recital with John Hosking (Blackburn Cathedral)
 ?? ?? ●●PLAY at the Curtain Theatre
●●PLAY at the Curtain Theatre
 ?? ?? ●●Royal Exchange Theatre Spring Season
●●Royal Exchange Theatre Spring Season

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