Subject: Shropshire County Drama Group: Darwin Festival centrepiece draws on Shropshire's young musical talent

From: "Neville Street @ Stella Six" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2005 11:37:30 -0000

Press Information

For Immediate Release

07 February 2005

DARWIN FESTIVAL CENTREPIECE DRAWS ON SHROPSHIRE'S YOUNG MUSICAL TALENT

Four young Shropshire musicians whose original compositions will be performed at Inherit the Wind, the centre piece production at Shrewsbury's Darwin Festival,  have been praised by the director of the production.

Isabel Garrard, Alexandra Russell, Adam Jones and Antony Stevens were approached by Inherit the Wind director Sonia Knight, to write new songs and arrange the play's existing numbers. All in their early twenties three are university graduates with degrees in music, whilst Anthony Stevens is currently at the Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz School. 

Inherit the Wind is a dramatisation of the infamous Tennessee v John Thomas Scopes 'Monkey Trial" of 1925, written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E Lee. Set in a courtroom during the intense heat of a Tennessee summer it is a powerful and ultimately uplifting story often seen as a face-off between Darwinism and Creationists, However, it is not about the theory of evolution versus the literal interpretation of the bible - the real theme explores freedom of thought and man's natural thirst for knowledge. Performed by Shropshire County Drama Group and part funded through the Arts Council of England, the play will be take place in St Chad's Church in Shrewsbury.

Drawing on 1920s southern American influences such as blue grass, folk and gospel, musical director Isabel Garrard co-wrote three new songs with Adam Jones entitled 'Garden of Eden', 'Singing My Sorrows Away' and 'Oh Lord show me the Light.' All four musicians will also take to the stage in various roles.

Sonia Knight, commenting on the music for the show, said: "These accomplished young musicians have researched and composed three very powerful songs with a true authentic feel. I'm sure the audience will be impressed with what they hear."

Inherit the Wind is at St Chad's church, Shrewsbury from 23 to 26 February. Tickets, priced at £10 and £8 (concessions) are on sale through the box office at the Music Hall, Shrewsbury on 01743 281281 or online at www.musichall.co.uk 

Picture 1: (left to right) Antony Stevens, Alexandra Russell, Isabel Garrard and Adam Jones, outside St Chad's Church, Shrewsbury.

Picture 2: (left to right) Antony Stevens, Adam Jones, Isabel Garrard and Alexandra Russell, outside St Chad's Church, Shrewsbury.

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About Shropshire County Drama Group (SCDG)
The late Bert Amies OBE formed Shropshire County Drama Group in 1958. Drawing upon acting talent from across the county, he established a reputation for directing and producing quality, innovative drama. Since his death in 1992 SCDG still follow Bert's traditions, providing open air plays, occasional touring productions, workshops in schools and for adults.  SCDG has produced a number of highly-acclaimed productions the most recent being the well-received King Lear at this year's Much Wenlock Festival and 2003's interpretation of Shakespeare's Henry IV (Part One), set in the grounds of Haughmond Abbey near Shrewsbury, which celebrated the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403.

For more information about Shropshire County Drama Group  contact:

Ken Allden, Secretary

T: 01952 510116  

Out of hours tel: 07971 096098

E:  [email-masked] 

About the Darwin Festival

Over 190 years after his birth, the legacy of Darwin's work continues to grow in relevance and importance. Shrewsbury honours the town's most famous son and his work by organising an annual broad programme of Darwin-related events and activities taking place during the month of February. The festival aims to be a melting pot where science inspires art and art, science.  Beginning in 2003 with a week-long programme of just 6 events, the 2004 series was extended to a month with over 20 events and 4 exhibitions attracting people of all ages and from all walks of life. The 2005 festival will extend this yet again.

Patrons: Andrew Logan, Museum of Sculpture, Berriew and Prof Kevin Warwick; Department of Cybernetics, Reading University

For more information about the Darwin Festival contact:

Jon King

Festival director

Tel: 07834 884 227

Email: [email-masked]

www.darwinshrewsbury.com 

Neville Street
Stella Six - Press & PR
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Shropshire UK 
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