VIDEO: New musical written in Grantham is ‘tale of glam rock and coal’
Prepare to be transported back to the mining and the music of the 70s, thanks to a story and score written right here in Grantham.
‘Stamp Your Feet!’ is a collaboration between long-time musical director of Harrowby Singers Chris Mahony and professional songwriter Paul Fairey.
Set in a Yorkshire mining town in 1972, against a backdrop of industrial disputes, inflation, and power cuts, the story centres on up-and-coming band Save Our Souls, who are desperate to leave home and become famous.
Most of the action takes place within the local welfare club, run by the larger than life Bernie. He is portrayed by Trevor Galtress, who leads songs like ‘Put Another Shilling in the Meter’ with gusto.
Indeed Bernie is also an ex-professional singer, and offers to introduce the band to a top London agent. As they practice for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it soon becomes a race against time with the threat of power cuts looming.
Chris and Paul have both enjoyed the creative freedom of writing their own work, and the different aspects they’ve each been able to bring to the score. Paul explains: “I’m from a rock and pop background while Chris knows more about classical and show music. I said to Chris when we started writing, if we’d have paired up when we were 25, we would have made a lot of money!”
Asked what the audience can expect, he added: “Lots of laughs, plenty of nostalgia, fantastic music and a great story.”
Although the Journal’s visit didn’t coincide with a dress rehearsal, a glimpse of the band’s costumes confirms they will be as colourful and as extravagant as you would expect of the glam rock era.
Moreover if our preview of the catchy songs and cast’s energetic performance are anything to go by, you’ll be clapping your hands as well as stamping your feet come September.
The show is at 7.30pm on Friday, September 4 and Saturday, September 5 at the Guildhall. Tickets are £8 and available from the box office on 01476 406158 or at www.guildhallartscentre.com
