Kirkgate Arts and Heritage are a part of the Our Freedom: Then and Now project. Sixty arts centres and libraries across Britain are taking part in nationwide celebrations reflecting on what freedom means 80 years after the end of the Second World War.
We are working with two local artists, storyteller Jessie McMeekin and musician JP Worsfold, to create a community musical that will be performed by local people at Cockermouth’s Christmas Lights Switch-On on Sunday, 23rd November, and at The Kirkgate Centre on 14th December.
The musical is inspired by stories from Cockermouth at the end of the Second World War and in the post-war period, using research from the Cockermouth Heritage Collection, alongside reflections from the people living in the town today on what freedom means to them.
Jessie and JP worked with members of the Cockermouth Heritage Group to learn more about their research into the town during World War 2 to create songs and stories for the musical. Alongside their research, we ran a series of creative workshops for people to reflect on the theme of freedom and the Freedom Road poem, written by Simon Armitage for the Our Freedom: Then and Now project.
Take Part
Join Kirkgate Arts and Heritage for singing workshops to learn brand new songs written by JP Worsfold for the community musical.
You don’t need to have any previous experience of singing in a choir, you don’t need to be able to read music, all you need is to bring yourself and to have fun singing with others in a relaxed and supportive space. The workshops will be led by Cumbrian musicians JP Worsfold and Dave Camlin.
You will need to be available for at least one of the rehearsals, the dress rehearsal and performances on the following dates and times:
- Wednesday, 24th September, 7 – 9pm – Rehearsal at The Kirkgate Centre
- Wednesday, 29th October, 7 – 9pm – Rehearsal at The Kirkgate Centre
- Sunday 9th November, 2 – 4pm – Rehearsal venue tbc (in Cockermouth)
- Sunday 16th November, 7-9pm – Dress rehearsal at The Kirkgate Centre
- Sunday 23rd November, 1:30pm – Christmas lights switch on performance on Main Street
- Sunday, 14th December, 7pm – Indoor performance at The Kirkgate Centre
Sign up by booking a free ticket for all the rehearsals you can attend.
There is funding available to help cover your transport costs for taking part in the project.
Enjoy the Performance
The Our Freedom: Then and Now Cockermouth Musical will be performed at the Christmas Lights Switch on, onstage at Main Street at 1:30pm. We will also be performing it indoors at The Kirkgate centre on the 14th December.
Book tickets for the indoor performance.
For more information and any questions, you have about the project, please get in touch with Helen Johnston at helen@thekirkgate.com or phone 01900 829966.
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.
