The FestiDale - Participants Review

The FestiDale 8th-18th of August, Kingsway Park High School - By Caitlin Plimmer

This August saw The FestiDale come to Kingsway Park High School – a two-week community festival brimming with arts, crafts and theatre shows.

Our brilliant Rochdale Ambassadors and Champions have been working with the Royal Exchange Theatre’s Local Exchange programme since 2023 to programme the festival, packing it full of exciting new voices and established names, with events and shows for people of all ages.

Our Ambassadors and Champions are members of the local community who work with the Royal Exchange Theatre to celebrate and build arts and culture for, by and in Rochdale! Here’s the story of the FestiDale in their words.

Why we put on the FestiDale:

“The FestiDale has opened my eyes to how creative and joyful the people who live here are. I feel proud of where I'm from for maybe the first time ever.” – Audience Member

Ann S (Rochdale Ambassador): Rochdale has received a lot of bad press in recent years, so The FestiDale offered an opportunity to bring not only drama, entertainment and fun to the area, but also the chance to engender a sense of pride in the borough and its people. And there is so much to celebrate in the Rochdale Borough, with its history, architecture and a strong sense of humanity and compassion.

We brought all this and more to conversations with local poet, Seamus Kelly, who then wrote an excellent poem ‘Welcome to Rochdale’ celebrating the borough. We turned the poem into a film which was projected on to the Den, opening The FestiDale. You can watch the film here!

Daisy (Rochdale Ambassador): The reason I got involved in The FestiDale was that I really believe in the power of the arts to help us cope with our own struggles in life. It is like a vehicle that takes us to a place of reflection and sometime solace.  

Having that in mind, the idea of being part of The FestiDale meant that I would be, somehow, joining this community of likeminded people and help to spread some happiness among our residents in Rochdale. Rochdale is a place I call “my tribe”, it is a global mosaic of cultures and languages. I love it here!

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TALES OF THE DALE

“It brings out the best in Rochdale and proves to people what kind of town we really have.” – Audience Member

“Nice to hear folk laugh out loud” – Audience Member

“5 stars!” – Audience Member

It was this desire to celebrate the diversity and brilliant communities of Rochdale that led the decisions we made as a team of Ambassadors, Champions and staff - a commitment not only to represent the people of the borough but to turn over the microphone and let them speak for themselves.

This was what TALES OF THE DALE, the festival’s headline show, was all about. 

Ann S: We collected stories from people who lived, worked or had come to live in the borough. We collected over 200 people’s stories from all across Rochdale, visiting 14 community groups, holding drop-ins at Number One Riverside and recording friends and family! These stories about their experiences, reflected the diversity of people living in the area. Director Nickie wove these into a play which was performed and read by a mixture of professional actors, ambassadors and community champions. I liked the inclusivity of the project.

Shirley (Rochdale Ambassador): Looking back, I don’t think I realised how involved I became with the FestiDale until it came to show time.

As a holistic therapist I’ve always been interested in the stories my clients tell me, I’ve long wanted to write a book to honour their adventures. Collecting and recording stories for TALES OF THE DALE was right up my street. I’ve known many of my clients for a long time and they were up for it. Only thing is, ‘time is money’ – so they agreed to talk whilst having their massages! Many came to watch the TALES and it was quite comforting to hear their stories on stage.

I was humbled to be able to perform at the same event on the same day as my two sons. Sam as a community cast member in TALES and Ed with his band PoolEra. Probably never to happen again!

Ann T (Rochdale Ambassador): reflects on being part of the community cast: The whole production was a bit nerve racking at first but so stimulating. I felt that I achieved something out of my comfort zone and completely new. 

“I met new people, new community, new life, it just felt valuable for me to be there. Every meeting can be a source of joy, to take my mind away from worries and fully immerse myself in a story.” – Community Cast Member

As part of the show, 5 Ambassadors led a call out for creative writing from local people age 50+. 

Shirley: So many wanted to share their writing and embraced the opportunity to read to an audience. We received nearly 50 stories! There’s so much undiscovered talent out there. I stepped out of my comfort zone […] it was emotionally challenging but fulfilling too.

TALES OF THE DALE was a brand-new Royal Exchange Theatre production, 4 unique performances voiced by the people of Rochdale, created by the award-winning team of director Nickie Miles-Wildin, curator Shahid Iqbal Khan and audio producer Polly Thomas.

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COCONUT

COCONUT was another show chosen by Ambassadors as an important and exciting chance to hear local voices.

This hour-long conversation between 8 local people of Global Majority heritage was an exploration of the experience of being othered in the UK. Led by artist Ria Phatarphekar-Karmarkar, it took place in front of a live audience. 

Shirley reflected: COCONUT made me wonder whether I embraced my Chinese culture as much as my Rochdale upbringing. Do I fit in as much as I think I do? 

 “I felt happy knowing that I'm not alone in the way I'm sometimes treated, [COCONUT] made me feel valued, listened to, appreciated and empowered.” – Participant

“It was a fantastic opportunity to hear discussions on cultures and how that looks like for that individual. It was enlightening as someone who lives in a predominantly white rural town.” – Audience Member

Simultaneously joyful, humorous and heart-felt, the conversation ranged from the meaning of names, home, and food – the meaning of which so often translates across countries and cultures. In the wake of the riots, COCONUT offered a reminder of the importance of truly listening to one another and the care and connection such recognition brings.

“It was amazing to see hear from so many different perspectives, shared experiences and ultimately what unites us.” – Audience Member

After two weeks of arts and crafts, workshops ranging from creative writing to a children’s puppetry-making with Swallow’s Wings, and shows including Sudha Bucha’s one-woman show, EVENING CONVERSATIONS, and Ghetto Fabulous’ Family Friendly Catwalk - we packed up our mobile theatre space The Den, paints and pens, and bathtub of ball-pit-balls, and shared stories full of people coming together to laugh, listen and create.

“The  workshops were great, the creative (writing) one, the painting one [...] I haven't painted since I were a child.” – Participant 

“More things like this are needed like this specially with riots. We need to show Rochdale is united.” – Audience Member

“At night, when I got home, I slept better because I had something nice to think about. It allows you to come back and fit in.” – Participant 

Ann S: The FestiDale was an entertaining celebration of the rich history and culture which makes up the of Rochdale Borough. It certainly left me with a sense of pride in the area, and a feeling of accomplishment at being involved.

“Lots of nice people considering recent events It brings us Rochdale folk out in the rain together, celebrating pride in our town. Up the Dale!” – Audience Member

Anne T: Nor will I forget the dance party at the end of the festival. It was such an inclusive event, with members of the community, professional dancers, Royal Exchange staff and topped off with a brilliant DJ. I've not danced so much for years!

“It brings out the best in Rochdale and proves to people what kind of town we really have.” – Audience Member

Shirley: Last but not least, the new friends we made with the Ambassadors, Champions and RET team. We became a family and supported each other! Thank You FestiDale for encouraging and enabling us to create.

… and to round us off, a poem by Millie, our youngest Rochdale Ambassador, addressed to her little cousin.

A RET Ambassador Poem – By Millie Dyson

A RET Ambassador,

What does it mean?

A RET Ambassador,

How does it feel?

A RET Ambassador,

Could it be me?

Well you see,

For me,

To be,

A RET Ambassador

Is like you’re part of a newly created 

Family –

A RET Ambassador,

It feels like I’m 

A queen with a friend ‘BEE’,

Because just to be involved 

And see the smiles for miles

 Of the people in the den is 100%

A gigantic 10 –

You ask me, could it be you –

Well in 3 years you better save the date,

And don’t be late

To be the next team 

To get involved –

I loved being a RET Ambassador!

What is Local Exchange?

The Royal Exchange: Manchester’s largest producing theatre. By telling amazing stories, both on and off the stage, we aim to change the way people see theatre, each other and the world around them. 

Local Exchange: The Royal Exchange Theatre’s Community Engagement Programme. It sees us take up long-term residencies in 5 communities across Greater Manchester to celebrate and build local arts, crafts and culture. Our programming is led by local people, ensuring Local Exchange benefits local communities first and foremost.

Thank you to Caitlin Plimmer for pulling together this fantastic overview.

Photos by Joel Chester Fildes.