Final chance to see ‘Our Freedom’ musical
A community musical celebrating the concept of freedom, which was premiered at the Cockermouth Christmas lights switch-on recently, will be performed for the second and final time at the town’s Kirkgate Centre next week.
‘Our Freedom: Then and Now’ is a new programme of community-based events in arts centres and libraries across the UK, highlighting what ‘Our Freedom’ means to local people and their communities, to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Kirkgate Arts and Heritage has worked with two local artists, storyteller Jessie McMeekin and musician JP Worsfold, in collaboration with musician Dave Camlin, to create a community musical that was performed for the first time by around 50 local people at Cockermouth’s Christmas Lights Switch-On last month.
This weekend, people will get the chance to see a slightly extended version of the work (followed by mince pies and mulled wine!) when it is performed at The Kirkgate Centre on Sunday, December 14 (7pm). Entry is free but people are asked to book via the Kirkgate website at Our Freedom: Then and Now Cockermouth Musical Indoor Performance.
Kirkgate Chief Executive Emma Heys explained: “Jessie, JP and Dave created the community musical, inspired by stories from Cockermouth at the end of the Second World War and in the post-war period. They used research from the Cockermouth Heritage Collection, alongside reflections from the people living in the town today on what freedom means to them.
“We were delighted with the response to the musical at the Christmas lights switch-on and we’re sure people will enjoy the chance to see this longer version, this time in the comfort and warmth of the Kirkgate and minus the rain on Main Street!”
Jessie and JP worked with members of the Cockermouth Heritage Group to learn more about its research into the town during World War II to create songs and stories for the musical.
They then worked with Cumbrian composer Dave Camlin to arrange the songs for a choir. Dave and JP led singing workshops, creating a ‘scratch’ choir of local people who will again perform them live, while storyteller Jessie will once more weave in the powerful stories of children evacuated to Cockermouth from the North East to escape the air raids, and refugees housed at Moota YMCA.
Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre was chosen as the sole Cumbrian project to participate in the £2 million national creative programme, which is supported by the UK Government through Arts Council England, the Future Arts Centres and Libraries Connected initiative and will see 60 arts centres and libraries across Britain present community-led projects exploring the legacy of VE Day and VJ Day.
For more information on the project, contact Kirkgate Community Projects Officer Helen Johnston on 01900 829966 or helen@thekirkgate.com
Details on all Kirkgate Centre activities can be found here: https://kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk/whats-on/
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Future Arts Centres (FAC) is a national network of over 170 arts centres across the UK. FAC champions the role of arts centres as vital public spaces that foster creativity, community, and cultural expression. In 2023, FAC became a registered company and an Arts Council England IPSO, providing sector support and leadership.
“Our Freedom: Then and Now”, is part of a £2 million national creative programme marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Supported by the UK Government through Arts Council England, the Future Arts Centres and Libraries Connected initiative will see 60 arts centres and libraries across Britain present community-led projects exploring the legacy of VE Day and VJ Day. It empowers artists, veterans and residents to explore themes of past and present freedoms through 60 creative projects, including exhibitions, performances and installations running from June to November 2025.
Kirkgate is a charity based in Cockermouth, Cumbria. It operates an arts and heritage centre as well as working with towns and villages in West Cumbria to encourage a diverse programme of arts, culture and entertainment. Its vision is to ensure that creative talent is valued, developed and supported with opportunities for all to engage actively with, and enjoy, the arts, local heritage and community life.
The Kirkgate Centre brings the best cultural, theatrical and entertainment events to Cumbria. From the best feature and documentary films to live streaming of top London shows, to local talent, heritage exhibitions, music, theatre, comedy and more, there is something for everyone.
In the historic Kirkgate Quarter of the Gem Town of Cockermouth, sitting on the edge of the Lake District National Park, the Kirkgate Centre is the perfect venue for special occasions, conferences, meetings, courses, exhibitions or private film screenings.
Kirkgate manages Arts Out West which stages performances in community venues from Furness to the Solway, ranging from nationally-recognised theatre companies to international musicians with events that are as much a social occasion as a performance. It is a member of the National Rural Touring Forum supported by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation.
Follow @kirkgatearts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
For more information:
Emma Heys 01900 829966