A retired local headteacher has written the words for a children’s musical to launch the new Theatre Severn at Shrewsbury. David Carr, of Tasley, worked on ‘Romany Wood’, which will feature more than 400 young Shropshire people on March 25 and 26.
Mr Carr, who retired in 1996 after 10 years as headteacher at Idsall School, Shifnal, was before that head for six years at Lacon Childe School, Cleobury Mortimer. He has been working with David Gaukroger, a former Cleobury neighbour of his, who is responsible for writing the music.
Mr Gaukroger is a senior examiner for Trinity Guildhall and served for three years as chairman of the Hong Kong Piano Competition.
“I have written words for a number of musicals including a production by the junior section of the Bridgnorth Musical Theatre Company,” explained Mr Carr.
‘Romany Wood’, the official opening production for the Theatre Severn, is based on a book written and illustrated by Beshlie, a Romany who lives in Shropshire.
It provided the inspiration for the 40-minute classical work for children’s voices, written by Mr Carr and Mr Gaukroger.
Mr Carr discovered the book during a Latin class and it remained dormant for a while until Mr Gaukroger arrived, looking for a work for children to help raise funds for the Summerfield School for autistic children.
“The resulting open air concert saw Romany Wood performed for the first time at Hagley Park by children from Worcestershire schools as part of a Last Night of the Proms,” Mr Carr said.
There have also been performances at Birmingham Symphony Hall, Blackheath, Chichester Cathedral as part of the town’s festival, Huddersfield Town Hall, the Anvil Theatre in Basingstoke, the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, Malvern Forum, twice at Worcester Cathedral and in many schools.
