Spectacular setting for dramatic dance
2:14pm Friday 11th July 2008
THE setting was spectacular, the music spine-tingling, the dancing mesmerising ... and the weather, against all expectations, was kind as Forbidden - a tale of love and war, Dancefest’s latest impressive production was performed at Goodrich Castle last Thursday.
Inspired by the true story of Alice Birch and Charles Clifford, star-crossed lovers from opposing sides of the Civil War who escaped on horseback from the besieged Goodrich castle only to meet a tragic end, Forbidden featured a cast of more than 150 working seamlessly together to create an unforgettable experience.
A promenade performance in which the audience was led around the site to various locations, the scene was set as the lovers rode on horseback through the field below. A field of flags, created by local schools, lined the castle approach, cleverly adding to the sense that we were heading back in time for a glimpse of a dramatic episode in Goodrich’s past.
With aerialist dancing above our heads, and ‘creatures’ in gargoyle masks pursuing them, we entered the castle to see the dramatic tale of doomed love amidst the din of battle played out by the cast of professional dancers, school groups and community performers to a soundtrack composed by Nathaniel Reed that perfectly evoked the period, the battle and the poignancy of the central love affair. Ensuring that the action moved smoothly from location to location and providing a touch of humour, Barry Ganberg proved a fine narrator and musician.
Following this week’s performances, which have involved months of extensive education work with dancers, artists and heritage professionals in schools around Herefordshire, an education pack will be produced in December.
Forbidden is supported by The National Lottery through Arts Council England and has received funding from The Heritage Lottery Fund, The Ernest Cook Trust, The Elmley Foundation and Herefordshire County Council, and sponsorship from the University of Worcester and Ross Area Partnership - funded through the Advantage West Midlands Market Towns Initiative.