Live album recording to create portrait of Sunderland
A Wearside venue will be transformed into a studio over the weekend, when more than 100 local people will come together to record an album in real time.Residents, ranging in age from 4 to 93, will perform 13 original tracks at the Fire Station in Sunderland as part of a project to create a musical portrait of the city. Ross Millard, from The Futureheads, who has written music for the show, called it a "celebration of all things Sunderland".Their performance will be recorded and pressed onto vinyl, with the vinyl due to be displayed at the British Library and Sunderland Museum.
The new production, called Public Record, has been developed in collaboration with the National Theatre, Sunderland Culture and Sunderland Empire. "Each track of the album is a scene of the show that involves music and dance and fragments of a story," said co-director Dan Canham."It becomes a portrait of the city told through its people."
Mr Millard said the event offered those involved an opportunity for a moment of reflection about Sunderland."In songs, we're talking about our identity as Mackems," he said. "We dig into our history a little bit."I think it will ask the audience a few questions."It's a moment to celebrate Sunderland - where we've been, and where we're going. "
'Mackem magic'
Local people taking part in the recording have been rehearsing at Southpaw Studio, in the city's Sheepfolds, since January.Director Emily Lim said the performance was full of "heart and joy", adding the range of experiences people had shared was "striking".A section of the production is opened by the oldest participant, Harry Wynne, 93, from Ryhope, and closed by one of the youngest members of the company, Momo, six. "I think it's that range of life that is so moving," said Ms Lim.
Steven Udale, who opens the show, said he was "nervously excited".Mr Udale was born in Southwick - not far from the rehearsal venue - and grew up in the area. "It's been quite hard, at times, trying to bottle up that emotion and childhood memories, to say that I'm performing with the National Theatre with this beautiful cast in my hometown," he said. The 49-year-old said the city had "really taken off". "The sleeping giant, as they call us, is certainly waking up."
Folasade Fasoyiro - 'Sade' - is also taking part, with her son and daughter. Ms Fasoyiro, who is founder of Sunderland Nigerian Families Group, said being involved in the project was "exciting"."We're all forming very special bonds that will not go away any time soon," she said.
The 40-year-old recalled researching the city before her arrival more than three years ago."I came to study my Masters at the University of Sunderland. I remember going on Google to see everything about the city," she said. "For me, my story of Sunderland started with, this is where I want to live, this is where I want to belong."
Twenty-one-year-old Angelica Anthony said she would miss the weekly rehearsals when the recording is completed. "For me, if I were to move out of Sunderland, one thing that would definitely bring me back is the warmth of the city; how the people here are always so welcoming and so sweet to you," the Sunderland University student said.
Jo Cooper, CEO of Hendon-based charity Back on the Map, who is also performing, told the BBC: "I think it's just exciting for the people of Sunderland to have an opportunity to come together. "It's such a joyful experience, to celebrate the place that we love."The people are just magical. I always say there's Mackem magic in the air in Sunderland."
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