New theatre project inspired by 'best view in Chester'

During the autumn months a diverse range of people took the exciting trip to the top of Chester Cathedral’s mighty tower, and their stories, memories, dreams and histories have formed the basis for a brand new piece of theatre.

From mighty Queen Aethelflaed to the perils of the plague, the dreams of a future career in veterinary science to the memories of seeing the Blitz over Liverpool; these, along with Olympic torch and pride parades, Gargoyles and Chester Races are just some of the themes which form the content of the new musical, Top of the Tower.

The project was the idea of city composer Matt Baker, Cariad Morgan, Milly Stevenson, Joe Mann and Julie Elston from Theatre in the Quarter. Following the huge success of the 2023 production of the Chester Mystery Plays, as well as its most recent film and youth theatre projects, the team wanted to build on these huge levels of community engagement and the relationship with Chester Cathedral.

They have also called upon the writing talents of Richard Wiseman whose role has been to collate all the ideas, conversations and poetry and turn them into a brand new script.

Playwright Richard Wiseman said: "It has been an incredible journey which began with so many of us taking the wonderful trip to this spectacular viewpoint in Chester. The stories and ideas that were sparked by the visit have been so varied!

Fatima and Firoza Tanha were inspired by the gargoyles at Chester Cathedral. (Image: Theatre in the Quarter)

"The teenagers have explored some of key moments in the city’s history, whilst the adults with additional needs wanted to talk about life in the city today. The children from Blacon, so proud that they made it to the top of the tower, focus on their dreams for the future, whilst the Jigsaw group, which comprises children from across Chester, as well as Afghan and Ukrainian children, wanted to bring their actual journey to the top of the tower to life through drama and music."

The play is being set to music by Matt Baker and Joe Mann, both of whom have been working with the groups. Top of The Tower will also feature a 40 strong choir, the members of whom have also contributed their ideas to the storyline. Working alongside the team has been Ali Pitt and Pat Tripney from Art in the Place who will be creating an exciting mural which visually brings to life all of the stories and ideas which will feature in Top of the Tower.

Artist Ali Pitt said: "We are so excited to involve this very large and diverse range of people in creating a huge piece of art which tells the many stories of Chester. The mural will serve as a backdrop to the final production in the spring."

Artistic Director of Theatre in the Quarter Matt Baker has drawn on several partnerships in order to give as many people the opportunity to be part of this new musical adventure.

He explained: "I find it truly exciting when people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can come together to make a new show; something that they have all help to make up, something that they all perform, and something that they, and their audiences will remember for a long time."

The Top of the Tower Choir also contributed stories and memories to add to the storyline. (Image: Theatre in the Quarter.)

Matt has been working with Live! Cheshire, whose choir of adults with a range of additional needs and talents will play a significant part.

He said: "The challenge of climbing 215 irregular stairs was too much for some members of Patchwork, and so some of us made a film of the trip to the top of the tower, including footage of the winding staircases, some of the amazing views of the interior and then lots of footage of the views from all four sides of the tower.

"It was an incredibly sunny day in September when we made the film, so in some ways, with all the added commentary, those who watched the film instead of climbing the tower, have had just as great an experience!"

Matt also built on his relationship with the Blacon Education Village by offering the opportunity for children from each of the five Blacon primary schools to be involved in the project.

"We wanted to ensure that some of our most marginalised communities were represented in the story of Chester today, and so I wanted to offer some of the Afghan and Ukrainian children the chance to climb the tower and look out."

Matt made several visits to Overleigh St Mary’s Primary School where many of the Afghan child refugees have been attending. The children were excited to sing one of the songs already created for the show, and this led to a group of the children visiting the Cathedral Tower with Matt and their head teacher Emma Drew.

"I have never seen children so excited as they listened to all the wonderful stories by Emma, the cathedral guide, and it was particularly moving when the children were all trying to work out where their home was, far away from Chester."

Top of the Tower has been made possible by the generous support of a broad range of trusts and supporters; they are Cheshire West & Chester Building on Recovery Fund, Sanctuary Housing, The Earl of Chester Fund, Marjorie Boddy Trust, Sir Donald and Lady Edna Wilson Charitable Trust, Jeannie France-Hayhurst, The Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire and Sir Phil Redmond, as well as many Cheshire West and Chester Councillors who have supported through their members’ budgets.

Top of the Tower public performances will take place in the beautiful surroundings of St Thomas of Canterbury Church on Parkgate Road from Monday, February 12 until Wednesday 14 at 7.30pm.

Further information is available from the event's website.