Citadel Down't Pit at Dream this weekend

23rd June 2010

The borough’s rich mining heritage is to be celebrated – with the help of a 21st century landmark.

One of the Citadel’s ‘Hands-On’ drama groups will be using Dream – the award winning sculpture for St.Helens - as the backdrop for a special performance of ‘Citadel Down’t Pit’, a physical representation of our mining past, on Saturday 26 June.

It follows a production at the Citadel the previous day (Friday 25 June), featuring a collection of short sketches and poems by the theatre’s 7-11 year old drama group.

The Friday performance also includes a drama – staged by the adult group - focusing on a St.Helens family during the miners strike of 1984-85.

Councillor Barrie Grunewald, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communications and Town Centre said: “St.Helens is built on the mining industry and Dream is a fitting tribute to that heritage. We applaud the Citadel for maintaining these links with our town’s industrial past.”

Citadel Chief Executive Fay Lamb said: “Taken together, the performances paint a fascinating picture of the mining industry in St.Helens – looking at its overall impact on the town over the years and its effect on individuals. We are grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for enabling this fascinating and exciting project to take place.”

Tickets for Friday are £7/£5, while the Saturday show at Dream is free.

Dream was commissioned by local ex-miners and St.Helens Council as part of Channel 4's Big Art Project, an ambitious public art commissioning initiative supported/funded by Arts Council England, the national development agency for the arts, and The Art Fund, the UK's leading independent art charity.

For further information or to book tickets call the Citadel box office on 01744 735436 or visit www.citadel.org.uk