CHESTER Amphitheatre will be living up to its name this weekend as actors, musicians and singers take to the stage to perform one of the highlights of the Chester Mystery Plays, Noah’s Flood.
The production is part of Chestival and takes place on a pageant wagon which was created for a special millennium celebration of the medieval plays by Tony Lewery in 2000.
Noah’s Flood is a 30 minute musical, directed by Matt Baker, composer of the 2003 and 2008 plays. The cast are a troupe of community players with children from Jigsaw Music Theatre Company and Dee Point Primary School in Blacon.
Matt said: “Some of the company were in the original 2008 production and some are new members. There is so much going on in the city at the moment that most of them are coming to rehearsal from other shows, band practice or concert rehearsals.”
One such person is Anna Prochazka, who will appearing at Chester Town Hall on Saturday night with women’s choir A Handbag of Harmonies. Anna appeared in the 2008 production and is in Noah’s Flood with her children Duncan, 14, Kirsty 12 and Heather, 10.
She said: “I get such a buzz from doing it. It’s quite a family affair!”
New to Noah’s Flood is Dani Morris, a member of Ellesmere Port community choir Fireflieswho first met Matt in Theatre in the Quarter’s production of Silent Night in 2008.
Stalwart mystery player Doug Cashin, of Manley, and wife Meriel, are back for more.
Doug said: “Noah’s Flood is the happiest of the plays and this production is so upbeat.”
Free performances of Noah’s Flood are at 6.30pm on Friday June 18, 3.30pm on Saturday, June 19 and noon and 3.30pm on Sunday, June 20.
