Theatre's high flyers come to town for show

Jul 13 2010 by Sandra Brehme, The Journal

A THEATRE company famous for outdoor spectacles is to celebrate airborne triumphs and a maritime disaster, as TONY HENDERSON and SANDRA BREHME report.

“In some countries we see how the audience actively lives through the entire play, pointing fingers and talking about what they see.”

For this reason Clair prefers outdoor performances as opposed to traditional seated theatre.

“People would not do that in a theatre hall,” the 53-year-old said.

“We can create bigger performances and give people the chance to participate in the event.

“The audience is more flexible than in a theatre and if they didn’t like it, they would just leave.”

Theater Titanick’s Firebirds was inspired by Those Magnificent Men in the Flying Machines, the 1965 big screen epic about the early aviators starring Terry-Thomas, Sarah Miles, James Fox and others.

As flying vehicles soar across the streets – so we are told – French brass band Fanfare Le Snob will provide the atmosphere and determine the rhythm of the performance.

“We are very excited about performing in County Durham,” says Clair. “Normally we play at theatre festivals but this time it’s at a music festival.”

For more details about the performance and brass festival events, visit www.brassfestival.co.uk.

Carlisle Castle will provide a dramatic backdrop for the company’s 70-minute reconstruction of the 1912 sinking of the Titanic that will see sparks flying, fireworks shooting into the sky and water cascading across the stage.

A huge open air set with seats will be constructed in the grounds of the English Heritage site. The stage will be dominated by the bow of a great ocean liner.

Set to an orchestra, the drama on July 23 and 24 will begin with engineers constructing the Titanic and end with its legendary sinking.

The story of the Titanic has a particular resonance in Cumbria.

Thomas Henry Ismay, who founded the White Star Line, the company which built the doomed liner, was brought up in Maryport and started his seafaring career there.

The production is part of Lakes Alive’s outdoor arts events programme taking place across Cumbria during the summer.

Julie Tait, director of Kendal Arts International, which creates and directs Lakes Alive along with Manchester International Arts, says: “Carlisle Castle will offer a stunning setting for this mammoth show with pyrotechnics, fire, water and music by one of Europe’s leading outdoor performance companies. The scale, sheer drama and quality of the production has to be seen to be believed.”

The play begins with a symphony of clanging and screeching as engineers rush around to complete the Titanic on time. A giant double wheel is the motor and a crane hoists the command bridge.

The ship emerges and sets sail on its fateful journey. At first the mood on board is celebratory with music playing and Champagne flowing.

Then disaster strikes and the performances ends with a climax of smashed plates, flames, pouring water and steam as the ship sinks.

The pre-show will start at 9pm when guests can enjoy a bar and live music from Orkestra del Sol.

The event is being organised with English Heritage, Carlisle Tourism Partnership, Carlisle Renaissance and Carlisle City Council.

Marie Whitehead, director of Carlisle Tourism Partnership, says: “We are proud to be associated with bringing such a prestigious production to the city. It will be a truly spectacular event for Carlisle. “

Tickets can be bought from Carlisle Tourist Information Centre, Greenmarket, Carlisle, on 01228 625600 or at www.golakes.co.uk/shop