20 September 2007
Eastenders live - children in Waltham Forest take part in 2007
Lord Mayor's Show
Icon Theatre is one of six London groups to have received
£10,500 in funding from the Lord Mayor of the City of London to
build their own float for inclusion in the Lord Mayor’s Show.
In the coming weeks, over 40 children and young people from age
seven to 16 will be hard at work learning new skills and developing
their creative and artistic flair to entertain around 300,000
spectators when the parade hits the streets of London on Saturday
10 th November.
The young people are part of Icon Theatre’s community classes,
which were established in 2004 to give young people in Waltham
Forest the opportunity to participate in a high quality performing
arts environment, and to create a fun and supportive atmosphere in
which young people can develop their creativity.
The fantastic float that they will be building is based on the
theme of ‘History of the East End ’. All the participants will be
creating their own character as well as designing and making their
own professional masks.
The float will consist of small carts with images that reflect
the landscape of East London and its colourful city life through
the ages. Young east enders will dance alongside the float which
will lead the new Lord Mayor from the Guildhall to the Royal Courts
of Justice for the annual inauguration ceremony.
Nancy Hurst at the Icon Theatre said: “We’re very excited about
taking part in the Lord Mayor’s Show. It’s a great
opportunity for our young people to learn new skills in the design
and creation of the masks, costumes and float. And of course
it will be great fun – just as long as the weather holds up!”
The Lord Mayor’s community float scheme extends links between
the Square Mile and neighbouring City fringe boroughs. Sponsorship
in terms of finance and through expert workshops allows group
participants to develop their talents – which are demonstrated on
the day to the Show’s audience across the world.
Ends
Notes to editors
Facts about the Lord Mayor’s Show:
- First Lord Mayor was elected in 1215; the Show is now in its
792 nd year.
- It welcomes in the 680 th Lord Mayor of the City of London
.
- The Show takes place annually on the second Saturday in
November.
- At 5pm , the Lord Mayor will light the touch paper to the Lord
Mayor’s Fireworks display on the River Thames between Blackfriars
and Waterloo Bridge . A team of eight pyrotechnicians takes
two days to set more more than half a tonne of giant fireworks,
some of which shoot more than 600ft into the air. It is the largest
firework display in London .
- The word “float”, used to describe components of a parade or
procession, is derived from the Lord Mayor’s Show when originally
the exhibits would do just that - “float” along the Thames in
barges.
- The Pageantmaster, Dominic Reid, is responsible for organising
the logistics of the Show – this includes arranging for the lifting
and checking of 3,500 manhole covers, installation of 4,000
grandstand seats and 6,300 galvanised crowd barriers and laying of
43 tonnes of sand. He also organises the 6,000 participants, 180
vehicles and 20 marching bands.
- Last year there were more than 6,000 participants, 1,550
military personnel, 249 vehicles from Morris Minors to open top
buses, 71 floats, 24 bands of all shapes and sizes and a giant
mechanical Bengali tiger.
- To enjoy the celebrations, get to the City for the morning of
Saturday 10 th November and nab a place on the well-marked route.
The procession will weave its way from Guildhall in the heart of
the City, through the historic streets of the Square Mile, passing
the Mansion House and St. Paul ’s Cathedral before continuing to
the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand .
- For more details on the Lord Mayor’s Show, including route,
timings and road closures, go to
www.lordmayorshow.org
About the Role of the Lord Mayor
The Lord Mayor of the City of London acts as an international
ambassador for the UK business and financial services industry. He
spends up to 80 days a year, traveling to around 20 countries to
promote this industry and the Square Mile as a place of excellence
in which to do business. As head of the City of London the Lord
Mayor is involved with local government and London-wide issues,
from the City of London's work in the
regeneration of
neighbouring boroughs to transport and environmental issues
which affect the City. On behalf of the Sovereign and the
Government, he also acts as host when the City of London provides
hospitality for visiting heads of state and foreign
dignitaries.
About the City of London Corporation
The ancient City of London Corporation has a 21 st-century role
supporting the business city as the world’s leading international
financial and business centre. The City of London Corporation
provides local government services for the City of London “Square
Mile” at the heart of London – but its responsibilities also extend
far beyond the City boundaries and include paying for and running
the Barbican Centre, Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, and three
wholesale food markets, as well as acting as the London Port Health
Authority.
Loretta Lui, T: 020 7332 1528 M: 07785 528 453,
loretta.lui@cityoflondon.gov.uk