Aerial show celebrates town's past and present

A "wonderful" aerial show aims to pay tribute to the past, present and future of a West Yorkshire market town.

Bloom, a large-scale performance featuring acrobatics, opera, dance and choirs will celebrate Shipley's industrial heritage and the concepts of "connection and possibility", organisers said.

The show is part of Bradford's UK City of Culture year and is set to take place in the recently refurbished Shipley Market Square.

Bloom, which is free for children and senior citizens, will take place on Friday and Saturday at 19:30 BST.

The show is being co-produced by circus company Upswing and will feature more than 150 singers from local community choirs - ranging in age from five to 80.

There will also be performances by 14 trainee acrobats showing "who we are today and who we could become tomorrow".

Tayo Akinbode, musical director and composer for the show, told the BBC the show's name is a metaphor for the town "blossoming".

He has worked with six local choirs that have evolved and "bloomed into one big choir", he added.

Set and costume designer Becky Minto, who was finishing up the final touches on Thursday, said: "I loved creating something that connects with the re-vision for Shipley Market Square.

"It's really exciting and it's been lovely connecting with the local artists and trainee aerialists - it's like the Queen song - One Vision."

Locals have been gathering in the square to watch rehearsals, with one Shipley resident calling it "amazing and absolutely wonderful".

Bridget Russell, 66, said: "Bradford City of Culture has been really uplifting and brought a lot of people together, especially in the market square where normally nothing is happening.

"It's bringing a lot of happiness."

Mr Akinbode added: "I have loved what a participatory celebration of culture it is.

"It's going to be an exciting assault on the senses."

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