Swaledale Festival’s flagship family event looked to be in jeopardy when the young pianist central to The Boy, the Piano & the Beach was forced to pull out because of a hand injury just days before the performance.
Produced by Slot Machine Theatre, and recently played to full houses at Brighton Festival, the family show is described as a magical adventure told through dance, puppetry and light projections accompanied by live music played on a Steinway grand piano.
The music requires a pianist of great skill, and there was a distinct possibility that the show would have to be cancelled causing disappointment to a large number of children and family members.
The company acted very swiftly to find a replacement for the unfortunate pianist Ed Liddall, who is suffering from tendonitis and has to rest for several weeks.
Into the breach stepped the experienced concert pianist Steven Neugarten who, fortunately, is familiar with almost all the repertoire and is now rehearsing intensively with the other performers.
The hour-long show is ideal for children aged five to twelve and their families, and takes place in the Influence Church in Victoria Road, Richmond at 2.00pm on Saturday 2 June.
Tickets, priced at £3 for under 25s and £8 for adults, are available from Swaledale Festival at www.swalefest.org or 01748 880019.
