How cool is that?!

Having taken a few days to recover from the excitement, I wanted to report on how the Project Launch on Monday evening went.

We had set up in the foyer of the Wiltshire Music Centre with six "islands" marked out with rainbow umbrellas, indicating where people should go to sign up for, or talk to someone about, auditions / choir / design team / volunteering / production / workshops.

People came in a steady stream all afternoon, and sign-ups for all the areas were really strong and ideas were pouring in for Noye's Fludde! Discussion was certainly free-flowing - as were the teas and coffees!

Particular interest was paid to the scale model of the set, brought in by the creative team from Salisbury Playhouse and designer Tom Paris. It's a wonderful way to use the space in the Tithe Barn effectively, whilst trying to make sure that there is enough space for the orchestra, and levels to fit all of the animals!

The buzz that has been building in the town translated brilliantly to the evening, and hopefully this will only continue to grow as time goes on and we build towards July. It's wonderful to hear so many people aware of what we are getting up to, and to have such local interest in active involvement.

The afternoon easily transitioned to evening, and from 7pm we all moved into the auditorium to hear all about our second flood: Ona's Flood. Clara Sanabras spoke beautifully about her story - a personal tale set in a real place near Vic in Catalonia, Spain at the Sau Reservoir [for more information about Sau, please read a blog post coming very soon ...!] and the fictional characters of the story. Ona, our fragile heroine, has a premonition of a flood. Her friend Mel, who is a climate change campaigner, travels with Ona on her journey, and both are escorted by the comical character of the Cockney driver of the coach (a modern-day ark!) The parallels between this Flood and Noye's Fludde are numerous, and are conceived of in often very subtle and intelligent ways. Clara described this as "mixing a cocktail" - to throw in all the ingredients of Noye, shake it, and see what comes out:
Ona = Noah
Mel = Mrs Noah
Coach trip = Ark
Coach driver = Voice of God

It was then over to Harvey to preview the music. He and Clara had recorded all the voice parts and played us key sections of the demo of the full choral arrangement. Much of the music was extremely beautiful and moving, holding those assembled entranced. There were also lots of extremely funny comical lines, and the lightness of the libretto and accompanying music made many laugh out loud. As a first airing of a piece, it was very well received and Harvey seemed pleased at its reception.

The time allowed of the evening gave the opportunity not just to listen, but to sing as well. Mike Daniels, musical director, and Kirsty Barry, pianist for the performances and Head of Music at St Laurence School, took to the stage to warm up the "choir". 

After a few stretches, we sang through two of the congregational hymns featured in Noye's Fludde, and one movement from Ona's Flood. We sang from Act III - De Profundis (Out of the depths have I creid to thee, O Lord) and from Act IV - Fiction (How cool is that?! How cool is that?! It's like Waterworld where Kevin Costner rescues that girl that is so cool! How cool is that?! How cool is that?! That is one of the seven wonders of the world!) The continued buzz through the evening was maintained right until the end, and everyone walked out excited and talking about the future.

All in all, a really wonderful evening. Thanks to the Barnstorm team, to Mike and Kirsty, Harvey and Clara, and most of all to everyone who turned up, showed an interest and played a part in the success of the whole project launch. We look forward to seeing you very soon. Watch this space and the website www.bradfordbarnstorm.org.uk for more information and updates about activities.