Shipley performers have taken to the skies for the first time in an aerial show over the market square.
Bloom was the latest event part of the Bradford City of Culture 2025 which combined acrobatics, choir singing, dance and opera to celebrate the people of Shipley.
Many of the cast members were new to aerial performing and joined the training programme after auditioning with the contemporary circus company Upswing.
James Mounsey from Shipley was one fourteen artists who performed on the crane in the sold-out show.
“Working on the crane was exciting but definitely scary, it was a very different sensation to anything I had ever experienced before and you have nothing to compare it to” he said.
“But it gets easier each time you go up, and I would strongly recommend not doing it on a heavy meal.”
Source: Toby Almond | All Rights ReservedThe show also featured more than 150 singers with a range of ages from five to 80.
Nicola Watson from Denholme Voices was one of six local community choirs involved in the show.
“It was blooming marvellous. Everyone involved, from the director Tayo, the Upswing performers and all the technical and supporting staff had such a great level of energy and professionalism.”
“They got us prepared, looked after our safety and made sure our experience was well organised and absolutely a joyous one” she said.
Before the event, the market square in Shipley was revamped, removing fixed market stalls and adding large canopies and more seating areas.
Source: Toby Almond | All Rights ReservedThe £3m market development, delivered by Bradford Council was funded through the Shipley Towns Fund, with a £25m pot to regenerate the area.
James Mounsey is pleased with the changes to the town centre.
“I think the facelift to the market square and the show will help to improve the image of Shipley and encourage more people to visit” he said.
“I’ve lived there my whole life and there’s already new bars and cafes opening and it’s lovely to see it get more attention.”
The show seemed to gain a positive reception, with residents gathering in the square to watch rehearsals.
Nick Ahad, a presenter for BBC Radio Leeds who lives in Shipley thoroughly enjoyed the show.
“It was an absolutely beautiful piece of work. When the choir sang and people held their hands in the sky above us swinging and performing what I can only describe as an air ballet, I cried.”
“It was intensely powerful to stand shoulder to shoulder with people you share streets with and see such a transformative piece of art.”
Source: Toby Almond | All Rights ReservedJames and the other performers are planning to keep in touch after the event to continue their training and improve their new skills.
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