Richard Hooton
@rjhooton
Writer. Award-winning short fiction. Debut novel THE MARGARET CODE published by Sphere Books out now: Rep: @stubbleagent @ RCW
We’ve all had days like this when you’re just stuck! Luckily there’s a weird fella in a hat to make fun of it. These sculptures in Ashton-under-Lyne of a coal miner & urchin were created by Peter Walker as a nod to the town’s history & to raise a smile 😀
Great to see fab new businesses like Peony & Parchment opening in Ashton. The independent cafe is also a bookshop, florist & community space bringing together brunch, books & blooms. Grab a read while enjoying tasty treats in a cosy atmosphere.
Making a brew - Chinese style. Enjoyed the Art of Chinese Tea Event by Floriental at Factory International. Included learning about & sampling varieties of Chinese loose-leaf tea & tasting in a meditative way.
I have exercised my democratic rights by casting my vote in the GM Mayoral election. Using the Supplementary Vote system this time - ooh fancy! Also met these 2 lovely pooches who were performing the role of dogs at polling station. Hope everyone eligible voted.
Typical! Not a drop of rain for weeks then for Manchester Day the heavens open! ☔️ But the rain was needed to help put out the moorland fires & it was fine later in the afternoon & didn’t stop the fun 🥳 Here’s some snippets of the entertainment 💃
The Odyssey is stunning Captivating & imaginative in its vision & reinvention of the epic myths, unearthing modern themes on the cost of war Amazing cast: Spiderman, Batman, Catwoman & The Martian are all fantastic Scriptwriter Homer is also one to look out for Which is best of these Trojan horses?
The Stalybridge Comedy Weekender was a bargain - 4 top comedians splitting sides for just £20. Enjoyed the Saturday afternoon show at the scenic Victoria Market Hall hosted by Phil Ellis with Josh Pugh, Justin Moorhouse & Lucy Beaumont. As Cilla would say there were a lorra lorra laughs.
It’s a blessing to be able to enjoy a scenic walk alongside the cooling waters of a canal during this increasingly hot summer. Mossley has wonderful views right on our doorstep.
Fun Home at @rxtheatre.bsky.social is the very essence of bittersweet. The Tony Award-winning musical balances humour & emotion beautifully in a tragic coming-of-age story about growing up & coming out. It combines a clever & witty script with poignant performances.
An array of impressive art across a range of mediums is on display in the Manchester Open. It’s a celebration of Greater Manchester’s creative talent from first-time artists to established professionals, aged from 4 to 80. It’s free to view at Home Manchester until 6 Sept.
Artist & activist Ai Weiwei’s Button Up! exhibition at Factory International is a fascinating & spectacular sight that inhabits all of the vast warehouse space. Incredible detail: flags made from millions of buttons, History Of Bombs made from Lego & a 47m long inflatable migrant boat.
Manchester, music & murder - The Wrong Man by Chris McDonald is a fast-paced, gritty page-turner. PI Ethan Adler takes on his first case, the sad demise of a young rock star, while the suspicious death of his wife hangs over him. Great characters & sidekick Amelia is a tech-savvy revelation.
Spotted the DeLorean in Manchester. Took a trip back to 1984 but TBH it wasn’t as good a year as I remember 🤔
Haunting is how I’d describe The Surge: An Ode to Sinéad O'Connor at Factory International. A mix of Sinéad’s narration from her memoir that’s poetical & dance set to her music performed by 10 women with 500 years of collective wisdom & experience. It captures her defiance, passion & spirit
Love the paintings by talented artist @chriscyprusart.bsky.social that are displayed throughout Mossley. His vibrant, colourful art brightens up the streets & captures the spirit, identity & history of the town.
Proud of my local writing group Mossley Writers who have published this collection of short stories, poems & musings to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Fantastic work from a brilliant bunch of writers (& people) - my own short story is included.
Couldn’t help but admire this horse’s hairstyle. It’s the mane event.
Can’t say I’ve read the Enid Blyton books - I don’t think I’m their target market - but I enjoyed the musical of Malory Towers at Home Manchester. A witty & clever production, as always from Emma Rice’s Company, with many lessons to be learned on girl power.
Like Chalk and Cheese by Colin Collier is a flowing, fun read full of intrigue. Set in the 90s, it follows global pop star Michael & his estranged siblings Jake & Alice as their paths cross again. It features romance, deceit & betrayal & focuses on relationships, sibling rivalry & music.
Not often the author plays a song at their book launch. Hats off to @cmacwritescrime.bsky.social, a fab event at @serenitybookshop.bsky.social last night - in conversation with insightful author Natalie Chandler then a song that’s in his crime thriller The Wrong Man.
A bit different for Manchester on a Saturday night. ‘Music of the Mystics’ at the Royal Northern College of Music featured a Sufi Qawwali performance led by group Fanna-Fi-Allah. It was beautifully hypnotic & joyous in its spirituality.
Find a penny, pick it up … I’ve no idea why these giant penny coins are in the beer garden of a pub on the Mossley border but I like them. Just not sure I’d be able to lift enough up to pay for a pint.
It’s great to see a film shot in Manchester for a change like Finding Emily. While you know where it’s going, the journey is fun & sweet & spotting all the iconic places is as entertaining as the plot. And Phil Wang’s Mancunian accent is bob on.
I know next to nothing about dance but have somehow seen several Hofesh Shechter shows & been fascinated by them all. His latest In Your Brain at Home Manchester was as hypnotic & rhythmic as usual - part rave, part ritual. Amazing music & dancing from frenetic to languid.
