Stone Choral Society members are excited to be performing for the first time in the Crown Wharf theatre on Saturday 1 November with a fascinating work ‘Stone Circles’.
The production is all about Stone – the town’s history, the canals, the convent and the stories behind the important industries in Stone. Joule’s old ale features is a recurring theme because of boatmen’s songs about it.
Stone Circles is a vibrant lively work with drama, humour and pathos and brings to life the spirit and resilience of the town and the choir itself.
The work is a revival of a composition by Patrick Larley and Roger Savage who were both part of Stone Choral Society back in 1998 when the choir was 30 years old.
Roger Savage, the lyricist, is still an active member of the choir and has helped us understand the background to the work. The history of the founding of the convent is a little know part of Stone’s history and the interaction between the nuns and the poor and rough boatmen on the canals is portrayed during the work. In 1998 the work was first performed in St Dominic’s Church.
Not surprisingly the boatmen who had a sometimes gruelling life enjoyed a pint or two and the melody of a boatman’s song about Joule’s old ale became central to the cantata.
We are joined for the night by Acceler8 brass band who bring an additional accompaniment and their own selection of works which complement the Stone Circles choral work. Many people will have heard Acceler8 before in their prize winning performances.
Tickets available from Crown Wharf theatre https://www.crownwharftheatre.org.uk/stone-
circles/
