Battle of the Somme commemorated in music and drama

 

Cheshire East Council is supporting a new piece of music, a film and a drama production to commemorate the battle of the Somme.

Cheshire East, in partnership with Crewe Town Council, has secured grant funding to commission a screening of the film ‘Where the fallen live forever’.

The funding also extended to commissioning PhD student Adam Shilton to produce a soundtrack for the film produced by Brass in the Blood productions – a community film company based in Cheshire. The film will be premiered at Crewe Lyceum Theatre on  July 2.

The film also has contributions from the First World War researcher Mark Potts. This multi-artist approach to the project brings further understanding and compassion to the audience about the battle.

The performance is based on the Bearpark family, from Crewe, who lost a number of family members at the Somme and is told from their experiences through song, dance and drama as well as having an original score from a brass concert band.

Adam Shilton is also working with the Cheshire Youth Theatre and the Co-op North West Concert Band.

Councillor Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council’s Cabinet member for communities and health, said: “It’s wonderful to see a significant event in British history commemorated in this way and I am delighted that we have been able to fund these very talented artists to allow them to work collaboratively.”

Prior to the premiere at the Crewe Lyceum Theatre, there will be other commemorative events in Crewe. These include a candlelit vigil on the memorial square on June 30 which will feature a reading of poems, letters and prayers.

On July 1, there will also be a service on memorial square where local schools will read out the names of the 87 who gave their lives during the battle.

As the names are read out, children will place a cross or a poppy on the green space opposite the Royal British Legion shop in a shape of a cross.

To purchase tickets for the premiere of  ‘Where the fallen live forever’ at the Lyceum Theatre please visit: http://ow.ly/QFRi301rlDc Tickets are £10.