Today’s Song: Sunken Boat

A song inspired by Lancaster and North Shields's sunken boats. What is lost beneath the waves? What is impossible to make sail again?

Unfolding Theatre · Sunken Boat

**Come and join a 'Beccy Owen’s Pop-Up Choirs' event to launch High Street Duets!**

On Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September we will be launching High Street Duets with two Beccy Owen’s Pop-Up Choirs events.

You are invited to join a rehearsal in either town, learn a few of the songs together, and then perform at 1pm and 2pm. No previous experience or perceived musical ability necessary! All resources provided on the day. We promise fun, good music, laughter and light refreshments! All welcome!

North Shields, Saturday 11th September

A Beccy Owen’s Pop-Up Choirs rehearsal will take place at 11.30am-1pm at The Exchange (Howard Street, North Shields, NE30 1SE), followed by a performance at 1pm on Bedford Street then a second performance at 2pm outside the Old Low Lights.

Book your place for the North Shields Beccy Owen's Pop-Up Choir.

Lancaster, Sunday 12th September

A Beccy Owen’s Pop-Up Choirs rehearsal will be taking place at 11:30am - 1pm at The Kanteena in Lancaster followed by performances at 1pm and 2pm as part of ‘Something’s Happening Here’ event in the Mill Race area (car park next to the Lancaster Grand Theatre, St Leonard’s Gate, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1NL)

Book your place for the Lancaster Beccy Owen's Pop-Up Choir.

About the project

Earlier this year, Unfolding Theatre was commissioned by Historic England to co-create High Street Duets with people in North Shields and Lancaster.

Through conversations about their local high streets with people in the two towns, the creative team have co-created four songs. The songs – purposefully written in different musical musical styles – reflect the range of perspectives and emotion that local communities shared. Exploring the impact of shipping - both maritime and Amazon Prime - people's dreams, concerns and memories, the songs take listeners on a journey from soulful sadness, punk energy of resistance, folky resilience and upbeat hope for the future.

The songs will be released daily from Thursday 9th September on this page and available via the Unfolding Theatre social media platforms. The songs will then be premiered as part of two Beccy Owen’s Pop-Up Choirs events in North Shields and Lancaster. You can also look out for QR code signage and postcards across North Shields and Lancaster where you can discover the songs too!

What is the High Streets Heritage Action Zone Cultural Programme?

The High Streets Cultural Programme is part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zones scheme, a nationwide initiative designed to secure lasting improvements to our historic high streets for the communities who use them.

The £7.4 million Cultural Programme is part of the £95 million High Streets Heritage Action Zones initiative, which is currently working across 67 English high streets. It is funded with £40 million from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Heritage High Street Fund, £52 million from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Future High Streets Fund, and a further £3 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Cultural Programme will deliver four years of nationwide cultural activity helping to make high streets more attractive, engaging and vibrant places for people to live, work and spend time.

The Cultural Programme has two strands. Firstly, local grants will support the development and production of cultural programmes, and new partnerships on each of the High Street Heritage Action Zone participating in the scheme. Secondly, Historic England is curating a National Commissioning Programme that will engage with artists and creatives to help bring a very special and diverse set of places together

You can find out about all the planned commissions for 2021 here.