Breathtaking images to be projected onto Rochester Castle for Medway Light Nights fest
A huge dance and light production is coming to Medway next month
A large-scale dance and light show featuring awesome visuals and 175 performers is coming to Rochester in February.
Icon Theatre, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is bringing If Not Now to the castle as part of the Medway Light Nights festival series.
It will include breathtaking visuals by video and projection designers NOVAC, projected onto the historic building alongside live performances.
In Icon Theatre’s signature style, If Not Now is created and performed by a team of professional performers and theatre-makers alongside a company of people from local communities.
Among them includes Icon’s youth-led programme Theatre31, which seeks to empower children and young people across Medway and Sheppey, Icon’s Community Chorus, and Square Pegs Arts, an award-winning charity running projects for those with learning difficulties, autism and social communication difficulties.
If Not Now questions how communities can unite in a broken world and the production is inspired by moments in history that have launched remarkable social change, including the
establishment of the NHS and the welfare state.
It explores how communities can come together today to transform poverty, prejudice and the climate crisis, telling a unifying and uplifting story of humanity and hope.
Founder and artistic director Nancy Hirst says she is humbled by the way everyone has come together to create If Not Now.
“It’s a production that I hope gives voice to the stories and interests of those involved, and a stage to both local and national talents alongside each other,” she explains.
“Our eldest performer in If Not Now is 88 years old and our youngest is seven.
“Everyone involved both on and offstage has brought something special to this show – there’s a real sense of community.”
If Not Now is an Icon Theatre production co-commissioned by Icon Theatre, Medway Council and Theatre31.
Medway Light Nights is commissioned by Medway Council in partnership with Emergency Exit Arts.
The show runs on Thursday, February 11 and Friday, February 12, at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm.
Running time is 20 minutes and it is free to watch.
See https://icontheatre.org.uk for more or follow @Icon.Theatre
