Storytelling and music combine in a new commission for Sutton Coldfield.
FOLIO Sutton Coldfield have confirmed funding for their new commission, Alice and the Library Tree. Combining storytelling and music and created by local children’s opera company B’Opera, this new work will explore the wonder of libraries and how they inspire curiosity.
In June and July 2019, public and school audiences will experience Sutton Coldfield Library as never before with free performances for four Sutton Coldfield schools as well as two public performances. An upscaled version of Alice and the Library Tree will be performed at Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council’s Concerts in the Park on 30th June, bringing the library experience out into the beautiful setting of Sutton Park.
Alice and the Library Tree is funded by Arts Council England with support from Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council for the schools’ performances.
FOLIO, a registered charity supporting Sutton Coldfield’s public libraries, will, through Alice and the Library Tree, continue their mission to develop arts and cultural provision for people across Sutton Coldfield starting in the familiar space of Sutton Coldfield Library before taking this new performance out to a wider audience.
Zoe Toft, Chair of FOLIO Sutton Coldfield, said: “Libraries and music both have the power to be utterly transformative, enriching lives and so FOLIO Sutton Coldfield is extremely excited to announce our latest project, Alice and the Library Tree, a magical, musical experience about the power of libraries.
We can’t wait to bring schools and the local community into Sutton Coldfield library to experience something completely new and we’re thrilled to be partnering with B’Opera, who make exquisite music for young ears and to be showcasing this celebration of libraries at Concerts in the Park.”
B’Opera create music for tiny ears through interactive performances for babies, toddlers and their grown-ups across Birmingham. Sutton Coldfield based B’Opera founder Zoe Challenor added: “As a local mum, I spend a lot of time taking my children to the library and Sutton Park. This is a wonderful opportunity to create a new work for the local community, and it will bring together some of the things we’re most passionate about at B’Opera – high quality music for young children, and the magical possibilities of our libraries and parks.”
Olive O’Sullivan, Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council said: “Alice and the Library Tree will be a fantastic addition to our hugely popular family day at Concerts in the Park. We are delighted to be supporting local organisations FOLIO and B’Opera in creating this new performance and look forward to it forming a key part of our Alice in Wonderland themed family fun day in Sutton Park.”
Free tickets for the public performances of Alice and the Library Tree in Sutton Coldfield Library will be available to book from May 15th here
Tickets for the larger scale performance at Sutton Park as part of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council’s Concerts in the Park will be on sale to Sutton Coldfield residents from Monday 8th April and on general sale from Monday 29th April.
This year tickets are available online via the Town Council website. Tickets for the Sunday 30th June family concert will be £20 for a family ticket, £8 for adults, £4 for children and those on benefits. Gates will open at 11am.
