Four unique performances inspired by Rochdale

Over the last three months stories, memories, poems about Rochdale have been collected and curated to create this brand-new immersive audio and script-in hand theatre experience. Tales of the Dale has been created by the award-winning team of director Nickie Miles-Wildin, curator Shahid Iqbal Khan and audio producer Polly Thomas.

All four performances are unique and will feature real voices from the community, professional actors and a community cast. Pop in to hear a couple of stories or stay for them all. Book a ticket to guarantee a place!

Thursday 15 August 6pm – 8.30pm
Welcome to Rochdale
Join us for an evening sit down tour of Rochdale. We will take you across the borough, explore nature, find good places to eat but be careful, we may stumble across the ghosts of the town.
Live music provided by Ed Jamil

Stick around after the show for foot stamping tunes and light hearted humour by Shenanigans!

Friday 16 August 6.30pm – 9pm
A Night Out and…sexy chips!
Bingo dabbers at the ready as we kick off our night out from the comfort of The Den. From karaoke to the swinging Carlton Club, this is an evening like no other.

Tonight, Katie and the Bad Sign bring their mix of Americana, Blues, and good ole Rock ‘n’ Roll to close the evening!

Saturday 17 August 2pm – 4.30pm
Pride in Rochdale

Pride, pride, pride. What makes Rochdale the place to be. Come and be part of the celebration of Rochdale. Wear rainbow colours or make a cardboard carnival float.

Saturday 17 August 6pm – 8.30pm
Do the Cruckle
Our final evening will be jam packed with celebrations of Rochdale. Pride, community and much more.

After tonight’s show we are delighted to bring you Hollingworth’s very own PoolEra and their energetic Indie/Rock!

Please note, performances will be captioned and actors will have scripts in hand.

The FestiDale is part of Local Exchange, the Royal Exchange Theatre’s ambitious long-term programme co-curated with ambassadors and champions in communities across Greater Manchester. This is what has been said about past festivals…

“Amazing experience showcasing the community. Loved it.”

“We need these stories told in the communities that need to talk about them”

“It brought people in who may never seen theatre. Told stories never heard.”