Coram Boy Comes Home to Gloucester Cathedral
Award winning novel Coram Boy by local author Jamila Gavin comes home to Gloucester Cathedral this May half term. Three large-scale performances directed by Jenny Wren Productions, in association with The Everyman Theatre, will use the Cathedral and its grounds as the set to bring this story of love, friendship and betrayal to life.
Awarded the Whitbread Children’s Book Award and described by the panel as ‘Brilliant, moving and ultimately, completely compelling’, Coram Boy is a gothic drama of historical fiction based in 18th century Gloucester and London with many scenes set at Gloucester Cathedral. Author Jamila Gavin interweaves three narratives with diverse characters and clever twists. A soaring musical score ensures this tale of two cities brings something for everyone.
Author Jamila Gavin said: “Coram Boy was the first book I wrote that is set in Gloucestershire so I am thrilled that Helen Edmundson's adaptation of my book is going to be performed at the Cathedral with local actors and musicians, giving the story real authenticity.”
Members of the public will also be able to get involved with the Coram Boy project this summer through free secondary school and community workshops using the production to inspire drama, music and creative writing. The workshops will be delivered by experienced professionals including directors and actors from the production and aim to extend and diversify the reach of arts activity across the county.
The Coram Boy is a highlight of Gloucester Cathedral’s 2019 events programme made possible by National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England Funding.
Canon Chancellor, Celia Thomson confirms ‘We are proud to work with such talented partners to host this production of Coram Boy with its inspiring themes of music, philanthropy and redemption. We hope the production and associated activities will encourage many to explore more music and drama on the future’
Alongside Jenny Wren Productions, partnerships with a wide range of arts and cultural organisations has made the project possible including support from The Everyman Theatre, Three Choirs Festival, Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS) and Marketing Gloucester.
Camille Cowe at the Everyman Theatre said: "Gloucester has been highlighted as a cultural cold spot and the Everyman are passionate about enabling a change by supporting community projects like this that aim to be truly inclusive and engage with harder to reach audiences."
Tickets are available from the Everyman Theatre website: https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/m-shows/coram-boy-gloucester-cathedral
Explore Gloucestershire
10 May 2019
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