My Great Folk

What a beautiful and inspiring evening at the Town Hall last night where North East Opera presented “My Great Folk” a folk opera celebrating the history of migration in Middlesbrough.

We had music and dance contributions from right across the world and all from our wonderful Middlesbrough and Teesside Community.

It really was amazing and incredibly moving. We heard traditional songs from England,Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Nigeria, America, Iran, Namibia, Eritrea, China, Ukraine, Kashmir, Punjab, Ghana… and South Bank!

And perhaps it was the most soul touching and epic poetry of Bob  Beagrie accompanied by the South Bank Brass Band that truly captured the essence of our shared and remarkable Teesside Story.

It occurred to me that when 500,000 people gathered in London last weekend under the banner of Hope, Love, Unity – Together – that is exactly what we have here in Middlesbrough in our still young town that has drawn to it tens of thousands of people across the generations who have come and made it their home.

The cast of hundreds making yesterday such a special memorable musical celebration are too numerous to mention individually, but include in the making our schools, youth groups, writers, religious groups, HMP Holme House, Middlesbrough College, the staff at Middlesbrough Council and of course the financial support and political determination of Mayor Chris Cooke to make it happen – all anchored by the brilliant North East Opera and the magnificent Middlesbrough Community Choir all under the inspiring musical directorship of husband and wife team of Emily Smith and David Pisaro.

Take a bow one and all. Such a spectacular celebration will send ripples of unity and goodwill across our community and will live long in the memory.