Bard of Barnsley retells King Richard III tale in Harrogate

The Bard of Barnsley, Ian McMillan, will act as story-teller and master of ceremonies on the night after collaborating with Harrogate composer Dr Phillip Wilby to produce the show.

St Aidan’s Junior Choir, the Chamber Choir, Brass Band and St Aidan’s Community Chorus, consisting of parents and staff from the school, will join Mr McMillan in his production.

Mr McMillan said his show, called ‘The Shoemaker and the King’ will set recent historical discoveries within a contemporary context.

He said: “I had the idea for the show after the news about Richard III’s discovery and the shoemaker idea just popped into my head.

“What, for example, might lie in the earth beneath the King? Perhaps we might learn something about ourselves if we were to see the events of 1485 through the eyes of one of the King’s famed Leicestershire shoemakers?

Mr McMillan said he was excited to work with the different choirs and the prospect of coming to Harrogate.

He said: “I do like doing that kind of thing. I like to have a big choir and orchestra around me. Working with any choir is fantastic because they are wonderful things.

“All I have to do is say my narration but they will have worked very hard on it and rehearsed it. I’m very excited to come to Harrogate again and can’t wait for a Fat Rascal.”