First-hand accounts of those affected by war given new life
A critically-acclaimed performance inspired by first-hand accounts of the First World War will return on Remembrance Day.
One hundred years after peace was declared on 11 November 1918, musicians, actors, choirs and brass band players from around the region will unite for The Durham Hymns at the Gala Theatre in Durham.
The musical tribute features specially commissioned lyrics by poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, inspired by the letters and diaries of local people who lived through the war from the archives at Durham County Record Office.
It was first performed in Durham Cathedral in 2016 to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and received glowing reviews, with one critic describing it as “a thing of enduring beauty.”
This year, Northern Regional Brass Band Trust and Durham County Council have decided to restage the performance at the Gala Theatre to mark the centenary of the armistice.
Mark Edwards, director of music for Newcastle Sinfonietta, Hexham Orpheus Choir and Northern Praeclassica, will be the conductor for the evening.
Simon Davies-Fidler will return as chorus director together with Voices of Hope, the award-winning chamber choir he founded, and the Centenary Choir, the community choir he directed specially for The Durham Hymns.
Annie Rigby, of Unfolding Theatre, joins the ensemble as stage director, while the band for the evening is celebrated regional ensemble the Reg Vardy Brass Band
Former Emmerdale actress Charlie said: “Colliery bands, choral singing, poetry and the words of ‘ordinary’ Durham civilians and soldiers resounded in Durham Cathedral, and profoundly moved us all.
“They have much to tell us and we have much to learn.”
This year, the performance will be held in a new venue and Annie is working with the Gala team to ensure the event is extra special.
The Durham Hymns takes place on Sunday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets cost £25 or £23 for concessions from Tel. 03000 266 600 or visit www.galadurham.co.uk