Is Vimp a wimp?Viking Musical
'The Vikings' Song - a quest for Freedom' by Michael Fields and Peter Ward
(More details to follow as music and pictures come in for up-dates.)
Adapted from Peter Ward's first book in his Trilogy, a brand new Viking Musical for young people is now under preparation. International Early Music specialist Michael Fields is currently working on the stage play, songs and lyrics.
The work will be premiered at the Jorvik (York) Annual Vikings Festival, Sat 11 and Sun 12 Feb 2012, and is unique in that early instruments such as gemshorns, lyre, small pan pipes and a Scandinavian kantelle will play star roles. It will take place at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre (more details to follow.) The music is eclectic. Whilst there are lyrical opportunities for male and female solos and combinations, inevitably, the 'baddy' Vikings crash in with Heavy Rock!
Staging will include book illustrator Steve Crisp's outstanding pictures. Although printed in black and white in the novels, all were originally conceived in full colour and be available for dramatic Powerpoint projection, on stage.
Clips of early rehearsals will appear on You Tube as will the first test recordings on CD.
By the end of the year, full details will appear so that interested Secondary Schools, Prep., Primary Schools and Youth Theatre groups can request information about putting on their own performances.
At the time of writing, rumour has it that somewhere within the mix of lyricism, folk song, full-blooded chorus and Heavy Rock will be a Calypso for Vikings. Viking Calypso? It seems so!