Shropshire Olympian Festival seeks Victorian characters
People from across Shropshire are invited to join in the Shropshire Olympian Festival in The Quarry, Shrewsbury, on Saturday 18 June 2011 and Sunday 19 June 2011 – by dressing up as, or playing the part of, a Victorian character.
The event is a celebration of the 1864 Shropshire Olympian Festival which grew out of the pioneering Olympian Games, started by William Penny Brookes in nearby Much Wenlock, and went on to inspire the Olympics we recognise today.
For the festival, Shropshire Council is commissioning a variety of dramatic vignettes of Victorian life – such as a Temperance meeting, an escapade of pick pocketing, a lovers’ quarrel, and a local scandal – with Shropshire performers taking on the roles. These scenes will ‘waylay’ the spectators of the festival as they move about The Quarry. Performers will receive direction, rehearsals, costume and props.
Apart from the two days of performance, there will be five rehearsals in Shrewsbury on Monday evenings in May/June 2011, and a run through in The Quarry close to 18 and 19 June 2011.
Maggie Love, Festival Event Co-ordinator, said:
“Come to our welcome meeting at Morris Hall, Bellstone, Shrewsbury on Wednesday 30 March 2011 at 7pm, when all will be explained. Please bring all the family and any interested friends – there is no fee, no audition and all ages/abilities are welcome. There will be a part for everyone, as we will create the scenes according to the actors we have.”
Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and leisure, said:
“If acting is not for you, but ‘dressing up’ is, you can also help us bring this historic event to life with some old clothes and a funny hat. There will be a part for everyone, so it’s an opportunity to be creative and raid Grandma’s dressing up box – come as a farmer or dairymaid, a sportsman or gamekeeper, and represent your part of Shropshire.”
Shropshire Council would also like to hear from anyone who would like to help ‘dress’ the park with spectacular decorations – supervised by our professional artists – or sing the specially-created festival anthem with hundreds of others in the closing ceremony on Sunday. Please register your interest by going to www.shropshire1864.org
The festival, which will be free for participants and visitors, has already won a Government Inspire Mark, to recognise its importance as a major event in the Cultural Olympiad, and it has also been supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England.
It’s also not too late to take part in The Carnival on Saturday 18 June, where the theme is Victorian fun and games. You can dress up and join the grand procession, take part in the sports and enjoy the wonderful entertainment in The Quarry. Entry forms are available on the website.
For full details of the Shropshire Olympian Festival call 01743 252305 or email sarah.rollason@shropshire.gov.uk
