Canal history takes to the stage

Ellesmere community arts group, Fizzgigs, has developed the show, Turbulent Times, around the building of the canal linking Chirk, Ellesmere and Whitchurch.

It will use performance, music and dance to trace the impact of the new canal and the Industrial Revolution through the stories of local characters.

The performance will be staged at Black Park Chapel, near Chirk on October 26, It then moves to The Talbot Centre at the Sir John Talbot School, Whitchurch on October 27 before the final performance at The Boathouse, Ellesmere on October

28. All performances start at 7.30pm.

Turbulent Times director, Tony Lewery of Ellesmere said that the Fizzgigs group had built a reputation for creative events in the area over the last five years combining performance, poetry, puppet building, music and light shows to tell traditional stories.

“The Fizzgig artists have produced some fantastic creations including the roaring dragon in Ellesmere carnival, the magical mermaids at Merefest and the lanterns and lantern horse in the Ellesmere Winter Festival parade.

“We’re pulling all that creative energy together in a beautiful family production with something for everyone and lots of chances for the audience to get involved,” he said.

The production was originally developed by Fizzgigs for the Merefest Festival and performed to a large crowd in the Cremorne Gardens in Ellesmere in 2016.

“Adapting that initial production to tour the three venues has given us the chance to develop the story, create some wonderful costumes and images and weave in more music and ceilidh style dancing. We hope everyone will come along, join in the fun and enjoy the show,” said Tony Lewery.

Tickets, costing £8 and £5 for under-16s and concessions, are available online at http://www.fizzgigs.co.uk/coming-soon.html or by messaging through the Fizzgigs Facebook page.