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A week-long arts programme has been announced for the upcoming Invictus UK Trials, hosted for the first time in Sheffield. Running alongside the Sheffield Invictus UK Trials (22-26 July), is…
A week-long arts programme has been announced for the upcoming Invictus UK Trials, hosted for the first time in Sheffield.
Running alongside the Sheffield Invictus UK Trials (22-26 July), is a programme of music, theatre, art and poetry. Highlights include music star Alfie Boe, author Michael Morpurgo, actor Charles Dance, and artworks and shows produced by recently injured service personnel.
The week begins on Monday 22 July with an epic celebratory charity concert, The BIG GIG, to give a warm Sheffield welcome to the Invictus athletes taking part in the UK Trials.
Headlined by Alfie Boe, The BIG GIG will take place on July 22 at Sheffield FLY DSA Arena.
Other major acts announced are classical artist Laura Wright, pop-sensation Heather Small, Suggs from Madness and Game of Thrones actor Charles Dance.
The Big Gig is produced and presented by Sheffield’s Grammy award-winning songwriter and producer Eliot Kennedy, and designer Emma Willis, founder of the charity Style for Soldiers.
Eliot Kennedy said: “It’s humbling to host the Big Gig, and it promises to be an incredibly uplifting, powerful and inspiring celebration in honour of the Invictus UK Trials athletes. In 2013 I went to Afghanistan with my song-writing partner and friend, Gary Barlow to film a documentary, Journey to Afghanistan. It was life-changing. I had never experienced that level of camaraderie – people literally putting each other’s lives in each other’s hands. I swore from that point onwards that I would never take our servicemen and women for granted. The Big Gig is my way of thanking them for their service and sacrifice.”
Rear Admiral Jim Macleod, Head of Invictus UK, said: “We are delighted that Eliot has offered his much-admired expertise to kick off what is set to be an incredible week of events in Sheffield. The Big Gig will include some fantastic acts and we are honoured that Eliot and his team have chosen to support Invictus UK in this way.”
A major exhibition, Art in the Aftermath, showcases works by recently injured serving personnel using creativity as part of their rehabilitation from the trauma of conflict. Art in the Aftermath is produced by charity, Style for Soldiers.
Emma Willis MBE DL, founder of Style for Soldiers, said: “Through my charity I’ve met veterans who instinctively use art and poetry as part of their psychological healing process from the trauma of conflict. We’ve awarded arts sponsorships to veterans to launch careers in the arts, and the Sheffield exhibition continues the momentum of this transformative work.”
Art in the Aftermath features paintings from Harry Parker injured by a Taliban IED explosion, and short films including former Royal Engineer and triple amputee Matt Weston’s, ‘For Love of Words’ starring Style for Soldiers’ ambassador, Charles Dance.
Charles Dance, who will also be performing a reading at the BIG GIG, said: “As Ambassador to Style for Soldiers, which does so much to support our injured service personnel and their families, I am greatly looking forward taking part in the Big Gig, a wonderful way to thank Sheffield for hosting The Trials and give a resounding welcome to the inspirational athletes and their families.”
He added: “I have met many young injured veterans through the charity’s wonderful get-togethers and am constantly astonished at their courage, selflessness and above all humour despite their challenges. It is a privilege to be able contribute to the first UK Invictus Trials, being so generously hosted by Sheffield City this summer. Our Armed Forces deserve all the support we can give.”
Michael Morpurgo, author of the bestselling War Horse, will also be in conversation with Paralympian and presenter, Ade Adepitan, discussing writing about war and its consequences.
Sheffield will host the Invictus UK Trials between 22 and 26 July 2019, giving nearly 500 competitors the chance to take part in an adaptive multi-sport event as part of their recovery journey, supported by their friends and family. The programme is delivered by a partnership of Help for Heroes, the Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion.
Invictus UK Trials Sheffield: Arts Programme
MUSIC Mon July 22, THE BIG GIG, Sheffield FLY DSA Arena. Doors open 6.30pm.
Featuring Alfie Boe, Heather Small, Charles Dance, Laura Wright and Suggs.
A limited no. of VIP tickets to include after show party featuring an acoustic-set by Eliot Kennedy. Proceeds of The Big Gig will be donated to Invictus UK and Style for Soldiers to support the recovery journeys of our wounded, injured or sick.
To book: ticket hotline: 0114 2 56 56 56 www.flydsaarena.co.uk
Big Gig 22nd July, Sheffield
ART EXHIBITION Mon July 22 – 26, Art in the Aftermath, 15 Barkers Pool, Sheffield, 10am-6pm, Free Admission.
Style for Soldiers presents Art in the Aftermath: painting, poetry, sculpture, photography and film by recently injured service personnel, recovering through the creative process from the trauma of war.
THEATRE Tues 23 and Wed 24, 7.30pm; Thurs 25, 3pm Soldier On, Sheffield City Hall,
What happens when a company of ex-soldiers becomes a company of actors – a theatrical band of brothers? Soldier On is a heart-warming story about dealing with traumatic experiences, and what happens when you leave the military family.
To book: ticket hotline on 0114 2 789 789 www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk
WORKSHOP Wed 24 July, Theatre Workshop with Jonathan Lewis and cast members from Soldier On, 10am
TALK Wed 24 July, An Audience with Sir Michael Morpurgo, 4pm
Sir Michael Morpurgo, one of the nation’s greatest authors, is joined by broadcaster and Paralympian Ade Adepitan for an intimate and revealing conversation live on the Sheffield City Hall stage.