All Along the River

(Click here to see what people said about the show)

To view more photos from the event go to the Gallery.

The production of ALL ALONG THE RIVER received tremendous reviews and was attended by many special guests. On the first night The Mayor of Wirral – Councillor Adrian Jones was full of praise for the whole company and their wonderful performances.

Clare Kirwan (poet) The Mayor, John and Sue Gorman and Ros Free
(Children and young people's dept) and her husband Ian. Supporting
Hand in Hand Theatre Production on the first night of All Along The River

Mayor of Wirral - Cllr Adrian Jones meets narrator Ella Redvers- Rowe
who is a pupil at St Mary's College.

On Friday afternoon, a community performance was held to which local schools and care homes were invited. Angela Eagle MP for Wallasey attended along with Andy Myers, the regional representative from The Lottery and other local officials.

Bev welcomes Angela Eagle MP to their community production Friday 11th July 2008

The show, a musical pageant performed by children from seven local schools and other community groups, was highly praised as being an excellent community event. Wirral TV was also in attendance to gets some footage of the proceedings.

Angela Eagle MP for Wallasey meets some of the cast. Sommerville dancers and smugglers and wreckers from Mount Primary

After the Saturday matinee, a prize giving was held for winners of the creative writing and visual arts competitions held earlier in the year by Hand in Hand Theatre Productions. The guest of honour was local writer Anthony Peake who has received international fame with his best-seller “Is there life after death?” Anthony commented on how good it was to see such wonderful local talent and presented prizes to children from Mount Primary, Liscard Primary, Greenleas Primary and Park Primary. Please visit Anthony's website at www.anthonypeake.com.

Anthony Peake who wrote the best seller - "Is there Life after death" presents prizes to Billie Gifford and Gray Burdett of Mount Primary for their creative writing and to Allanah Bruce for her winning photo - a special prize of the photo being mounted and framed was donated by Wallasey Amateur Photographic Society.

Over 150 local people from juniors to senior citizens were involved in this mammoth production, which took place at St Mary’s Catholic College. Bev Clark, writer and co-ordinator said; "It was very hard work but so rewarding to see so many people engaging and enjoying this musical celebration of The River Mersey".

"The children who performed were all wonderful and a credit to their schools. It was fantastic to be joined by The Totally Talented Music Workshop who performed two songs brilliantly and to work with Wallasey Ladies Choir, who actually recorded their songs for us and were played over Somerville Primary dancers. With so many people on stage we couldn’t fit in the choir as well!"

"The production was honoured to have a prologue written by The Young Poet Laureate for Wirral – Holly Green –who performed her poem” Seven Steps and Home” to an accompaniment by flautist Clare Lawton."

Liam Corcoran, the musical director, brought together a band of young musicians and singers, all of whom made a brilliant contribution and their drummer, Alex Randells, stole the show when he came out from behind his drums to sing "My Friend The River".

Hand in Hand Theatre Productions have received dozens of emails and phone calls saying how much the show, its content, presentation and the performances were enjoyed (All Along the River comments).

Thanks to Wallasey Amateur Photographic Society who are displaying photos of our past production ALL ALONG THE RIVER at The Williamson Art Gallery & Museum Birkenhead. Check out www.wallaseyaps.org.uk