Kentish Express Ashford & District
‘Moving play’ will bring town’s rail history to life
A moving play taking people on a journey through Ashford’s railway history will premiere tonight (Thursday).
‘All Change for Ashford’ is a site-specific production with music and projected film that shares the stories of up to 70 people who worked on the railways in the town over the years.
Performed by a cast of professional actors and musicians, including Ashford’s Eleanor Brunsdon, the play will focus on the borough’s railway roots from the very first days of steam to the present day.
A two-hour performance will depart from Revelation Ashford before taking the audience to County Square shopping centre.
There will then be a finale at Elwick Place with choirs, a concert band and large-scale projections.
The event is produced by ‘The Company’ and was commissioned and supported by Ashford Borough Council.
Director Stephen Israel said: “Ashford has an extraordinary railway history, and as a town that is changing and developing all the time, there is such
a positive vibe looking into the future, and we try to squeeze all this into a two hour site-responsive multimedia show.
“This is a play that has been created from the stories of the people of Ashford, and the involvement and support of the community has been incredible from the 70 local people we have interviewed.”
Film is provided by Ashford’s
Modus Films, with projection mapping at Revelation Ashford created by Ashford-based Gavin MacArthur, creative director of Pixel Artworks.
Music will be performed courtesy of five community choirs including Ashford Invicta Singers, Sing Sure Community Choir, St Mary’s Church Choir, SOS Ashford Choir and Wayward Harmonies.
This will be supplemented by the Ashford Concert Band and the actors and musicians.
Performances take place at 7.30pm on April 28, 29, 30, and May 5, 6, 7. Tickets are available from Revelation and cost £8 for an adult, £4 for under 16s and £20 for a family.
To book, email www.revelationashford.co.uk or call 01233 663201.