When the English National Opera staged the northern premiere of A Small Green Space in Barrow Civic Hall, scores of Furness parents were celebrating the performance of the young cast in 1989.
The opera had been written by novelist Fay Weldon and Ilona Sekacz for the ENO’s education Baylis program.
BREAK: SHOW: Hannah Docker, Kerry Bell and Sarah Bezridny pictured in 1989
The plot follows the fortunes of Colin, played by Garry Mageel, a young teenager who inspires his neighbours and friends to fight against apathy, cynicism and bureaucracy and save a green plot of land in the heart of the dismal city.
PERFORMING: Martin Craig, who as a member of a leather clad gang cocks a snook at the men from the ministry in 1989
Enid Williams, who plays a punk in the opera, said: “It’s a nature over materialism kind of story.
“There are all sorts of things going on and there’s a lot of humour in it.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here