A SPECTACULAR son et lumière show will light up Chester Cathedral next week.
The story of Cheshire told in music, words and dance, as well as sound and light, Cheshire Tales is an entertainment packed with vivid imagery and technical wizardry.
Cheshire County Council chairman Barrie Hardern said: 'Cheshire is steeped in history and mythology and we were attracted by the idea of presenting some of its many stories in a dramatic and colourful way.'
Written by Robin Goddard, who also directs, the show will see 2,000 years of county life depicted by 14 actors in two-and-a-half hours.
A mammoth task for the originators, the event encapsulates myth and legend as well as history and celebrity.
In a dramatic performance which uses voice-overs and the creative manipulation of hi-tech light and sound effects to project characters, time and events, centuries of Cheshire life fly by, from the Roman invasion to the bombing of Birken-head and into modern times by way of the Runcorn Ferry and Alice in Wonderland.
Lighting designer Pat Nelder has relished the challenge. Technical and development manager at Clwyd Theatr Cymru in his professional life, he has worked with son et lumière before but never when actors have been included.
'The cathedral setting has an incredible character,' he said.
'But a particular challenge has been that there aren't many empty canvasses within the nave to project on to.
'So here there's a lot of moving light and colour to enhance the drama, light and dark is used to effect mystery, shafts of light emphasise things. It's computer-controlled and programmed and will be masterminded live on each of the three nights - we're aiming for well-blended imagery to make a dramatic impact.'
Cheshire County Council chief executive Jeremy Taylor said: 'This is a unique opportunity. It has never been done before and probably will never happen in this venue again.
'People who love Cheshire, the cathedral, our heritage and our culture should not miss the wonderful prospect of the first-ever son et lumière in Chester Cathedral.'
