Harrogate-based Red Wall Theatre 'do themselves proud' inspired by Knaresborough's real past
Harrogate-based Red Wall Theatre must be congratulated on its first foray into writing a musical dramatisation of historical events; they did the subject and themselves proud.
A Twisted Tale was an imaginative rendition of the lives of linen workers in 18th and 19th century Knaresborough, inspired by the exhibition held at Knaresborough Heritage Centre earlier this year.
Through the lens of a school lesson, with teacher and students, we heard and saw the story unfold at Gracious Street Centre as part of Knaresborough’s popular FEVA Festival.
The din of mill machinery.
The exhausted faces of the workers, many of whom were children who would run, crying, all the way to work.
Queen Victoria’s knickers, possibly a little artistic licence here!.
The voices of those in power speaking for, and against, the exploitation of the workers.
And we were treated to a beautiful Indian dance, perhaps representing the decline of the linen industry as exploitation spread across the globe to Indian cotton factory workers.
Directed by Marie Anderson, the show played to a packed house on a very hot evening in August.
Red Wall Theatre made impressive use of transcripts, pictures and sounds, music, song, dance, humour and pathos.
Also excellent was the fact that FEVA had included this as part of a theme of important social issues which resonate today, along with the wonderful Knaresborough Eleven, presented by Yorkshire Create, alongside Knaresborough Forest Day, which celebrated the return of some of the plundered Knaresborough Forest to the people.
Information: https://www.redwalltheatre.co.uk/