Friday 27 Aug 2021
"What a performance!"- South London stations put on a grand finale for the summer getaway
- Region & Route:
- Southern: Kent
Passengers passing through stations including London Bridge, Victoria and Waterloo are continuing to be welcomed back to the railway with spectacular music.
The Shadwell Ensemble, a musical theatre group based in East London is renowned for making live performances accessible by performing in public spaces.
Network Rail's Southern region have partnered with them as part of their Great British Summer Holiday campaign, to create an amazing atmosphere and to support the arts, after the last 18 months when so many concerts could not take place.
Through the second half of August they have entertained (and wowed) passengers and station colleagues at Victoria and London Bridge stations.
Passengers have also been given the opportunity to take a selfie in an iconic Union Jack Mini and indulge in free ice-cream to get them in the spirit of The Great British Summer Holiday. There have also been opportunities to win prizes including a luxury food-hamper and tickets to a Southeastern railway destination of their choice.
By performing for free in public places, Shadwell can bring classical music and opera to people that otherwise might miss out on seeing live performances.
Waterloo station manager, Cem Davis, said: “Having live music in Waterloo station is a special treat for our passengers and colleagues alike. So many of us found being isolated during lockdown challenging, so I hope Shadwell will put a smile on our station users faces.
"I’m personally looking forward to everyone being able to appreciate the group when they perform at Waterloo station over the Bank Holiday.”
Finnegan Downie-Dear, the Musical Director of Shadwell, said: "We're a new group founded to bring the UK’s best young musicians together for sensational performances.
"The Shadwell Ensemble is delighted to partner with Southern Rail for performances of Julius Eastman’s joyful minimalist masterpiece Stay On It this summer.
"Our fantastic players are so excited to bring live music to travellers across the Southern Rail network."
The Shadwell Ensemble is performing on Saturday 28 August at 14.30-15.30 on the station concourse at Waterloo.
Notes to Editors
More information can be found about Shadwell here: About (shadwell.org.uk)
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