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The Innocent
March 22 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
The Innocent is a story told in song commemorating the short life and death of Thomas Helliker, an apprentice shearman in the Wiltshire woollen industry. He was hanged on his 19th birthday in 1803 after being falsely accused of burning down Littleton Mill, near Trowbridge, following the introduction of shearing machines that would have put the shearmen out of work. Thomas was prepared to die rather than testify against those who had carried out the deed.
The piece was was written and performed by Mick Ryan (‘Tolpuddle Man’, ‘Here at the Fair’, ‘The Voyage’, ‘Tanks for the Memory’ and ‘A Day’s Work’) and Steve Faux (Radio 4’s Muisic History of the world in a Hundred Objects, David Attenborough’s ‘Birds’ ). It has a stellar chorus of singers, Rosie Upton, Bryony McGinty, Dave Webber & Anni Fentiman and Bob & Gill Berry.
Musical accompaniment is expertly provided by Steven Faux and Dave Bordewey.
This performance is promoted by The White Horse (Wiltshire) Trades Council and supported by Watermarx, The Cause Chippenham, Wiltshire Folk Arts and Trowbridge Museum.