On 23 July 2011, The Great Train Dance performers will transport the passengers on the Severn Valley Railway back to 1951 and that is where the fun starts. Weaved around a young girl Nellie and her 14th birthday, an exciting adventure unfolds. As the journey begins, the dancers create a magical world amongst the passengers on the train and soon time starts to lose all meaning. A thrilling chase after stolen tickets and encounters with curious people, all accompanied by the music of gypsy buskers will make for an exciting day of family fun. Each scene will provide a clue to be solved and, in a little under two hours, everyone will be caught up in the spectacular finale at the Highley Engine House.
The Great Train Dance is a Dancing for the Games project, funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to create a cultural and sporting legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across the UK. The project is inspired by London 2012 and is part of the Cultural Olympiad in the West Midlands.
More than 300 dancers from across the region are involved in The Great Train Dance, which has been developed by Rosie Kay Dance Company. Rosie Kay has trained and worked with 14 dance leaders from the region who have then created dances with their own school and youth groups of young people. These dancers combine with the professional cast and musicians (provided by Mubu Music including Louis Robinson from The Destroyers) and 25 students from the Centre of Advanced Training (CAT) to make one large and exciting day of steam and dance.
The Great Train Dance is a fascinating and unique performance on the magnificent trains and platforms of the Severn Valley Railway. Local heritage mixing with the allure of steam will create a surreal backdrop for this mystery set in the world of the absurd. Moving easily through time, this spectacular event has something for all ages and will seduce everyone into hunting for clues to help solve the puzzle.
Ticket prices: £9 (under 15yrs, £18 adult, £50 family ticket (2 adults, 4 children), £15 senior.
Tickets can be booked online at www.svr.co.uk or via the ticket office at Kidderminster in person or telephone 01299 403816 (Mon-Fri)