Blue John is the first performance from our music and theatre project, Tall Tales. Funded by the Foundation for Youth Music, local young people have been working with professional musicians and singers since April and the final work will be performed in Glossop on 5th August and Buxton on 2nd September.
The story, Blue John, is taken from the original book by Berlie Doherty and follows the journey of a young boy and the decisions he faces as he goes through his life. In this brand-new version it is expressed through the theatre and music created by young people in weekly workshops happening in Gamesley, Glossop and Fairfield, Buxton. They have worked with composer and multi-instrumentalist, Andrew Smith; Sarah Atter, Flautist and percussionist; and Caro Churchill, digital and spoken-word musician. With the musicians there to help start off the creativity everyone has worked together to write original music for the final performance.
Andy Smith said:
“So far we’ve had an experimentation phase, trying lots of things and exploring the themes of the story and seeing what participants are interested in. The next phase is the Summer School, when we really hone in on perfecting this new piece – ready to perform!”
The groups from Buxton and Glossop will meet for the first time at a week long summer school. In this week there will be added input from operatic singer, Daisy Barker, theatre-maker, Paul Hine, and visual artist Katy McCall, and the new material will be shaped into the final show.
“The production is the only version of Blue John ever made and it is by young teens from the High Peak and it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the performance so it is highly recommended you should go and see it whilst you can.” Shane Hodgson, participant.
Performances will be:
5th August, 7.30pm at the Geoffrey Allen Centre, Winster mews, Gamesley, SK13 0LU and
2nd September, 7.30pm at Buxton Pavilion Arts Centre, St John’s Road, Buxton,SK17 6XN.
Tickets for both shows are £3 (£1 children and all concessions) with tickets available from Gamesley Community Café, Buxton Opera House (Box Office 01298 72190) and from High Peak Community Arts on 01663 744 516.
Click below to find out more about the Tall Tales project:
[catlist id=159]