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The Grail Ltd
Inspiration of the Grail Ltd
Y Grael Cyf
Ysbrydoliaeth y Grael Cyf
E llan Vannin
Llanrug
Caernarfon
Gwynedd LL55 2AQ
Tel:+44(0)1286 673111
Tel:+44(0)1286 673444
Y Grael Cyf
is a company limited by guarantee No: 4944460
Ysbrydoliaeth y Grael Cyf
is a company limited by guarantee No: 5830245
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The show involved a stunning visual display that was projected onto the castle wall spanning from Eagle Tower through to Queen's Tower from a location across the River Seiont.
| The beautiful and enigmatic SPIRIT of WALES sings our Leitmotif in her passionate message: - To hear her song click on either player below. |
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 A fabulous mist graphically evokes the topographical and elemental beginnings of Wales.
Fire, Water, Winds and Mist form a kaleidoscope through which we see, dimly at first, figures from Welsh Mythology, Arawn of Annwn, Branwen, Cuhlwch, Don and Taliesin, who became a gifted prophetic poet after consuming a "Grael" of inspiration from Ceridwen's cauldron. Awash with mesmerising images of dragons, swords and rainbows, these coalescent mists retreat, and one character, Merlin, steps forward to become our guide throughout the telling of our history. These strongly drawn characters morph into garb, as appropriate to each age, through to the modern day, providing a graphical, interactive and fun way to illustrate our culture.
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To this filmic backdrop, we introduce, as appropriate, the unfolding of the tale, a re-enactment group, wizards, musicians, singers, choirs and dancers to further animate this wonderful, family grabbing story.
Imagine watching these magnificent castle walls light up with history and legend. After a
day of festivities, when the sun is setting in a swirl of mist, we see our story unfold across approximately 140 metres of impenetrable wall.
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‘MERLIN’S MAGICAL QUEST’ is a spectacular journey through time. A Sound and Light Spectacular!
From the swirling mists of pre-history, through the legends and myths of yesteryear, Merlin takes us on a roller-coaster ride through a millennium of history.
Cutting edge projectors, as used at the opening of the Olympic games, fire a kaleidoscope of images onto the walls of Caernarfon Castle, - a massive one thousand two hundred square metres of screen!
These exciting images are matched by a specially scored sound track of music and songs. A WORLD FIRST!
A true Son et Lumiere or "Sound and Light Spectacle" for everyone.
The backdrop of the Menai Strait and the beautiful Isle of Anglesey � Ynys M�n completes this spectacular location.
WHY DO IT?
To provide an event of International significance to help the regeneration of North West Wales which has been needed for so long.
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‘MERLIN’S MAGICAL QUEST’ was only the first of what is planned to be a series of Son et lumière shows which will help to revitalise the heart of the region and bring an even greater sense of pride to Caernarfon and the surrounding area.
Events such as this, notably in France, have always resulted in a much longer �season� and as awareness grows, it is anticipated that this region too will benefit from the extra bed nights, length of stay and visitor spend.
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‘MERLIN’S MAGICAL QUEST’ is truly for CAERNARFON, WALES and the WORLD!
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MUSIC SCORE INFORMATION
THE MAIN CHARACTER ROLES:
The beautiful and enigmatic SPIRIT of WALES sings our Leitmotif in her passionate message: -
| ‘I am this country!’
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| ‘These are my people!’ |
| ‘This is my story!’ |
| ‘This is my soul!’ |
FIONA SANDERSON from Waunfawr sings this role, She is studying opera in Birmingham.
MERLIN is a �Disney-style� singer/story teller who reveals each amazing twist and turn of Welsh history.
JONATHAN DAVIES from Caernarfon sings Merlin and is an accomplished pianist as well. He writes and records locally.
BOUDICA (Boadicea)The warrior queen implores the indolent men folk to get up off their backsides and fight; or suffer the shame of defeat and the horror of seeing their families cut to shreds.
Her song "Are You With Me?" could be out of the Les Miserable songbook. CHARLOTTE LAMONT from Anglesey sings her heart out as the impassioned warrior queen. Charlotte now teaches dance and musical theatre in London.
Caernarfon girl SARAH-LOUISE OWEN sings a plaintive Song without Words in her role as SIWAN.
This haunting soliloquy of unrequited love first echoed round Caernarfon castle walls in 2004
when Sarah sang it for the taster show.
The �sound� accompanying the visual display has been special written, produced and recorded for Caernarfon Son et Lumiere by world renowned composer, Malcolm Rowe, and draws on the justifiably famous Welsh singing talent.
MUSICAL STYLES Range from rock to light opera; lilting melody to zany �Monty Python�; and musical theatre to Welsh anthem.
The music features a total of 80 musicians, singers, arrangers and recording engineers from the local area under the direction of MALCOLM ROWE, with incidental music from Bangor - based Singer/Songwriter TIM ROWE.
THE KALEIDOSCOPE IMAGES
�Are original designs from JOHN THIRSK, creative designer and the show�s
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR. John has incorporated the excellent work of local school children from his many school visits. He has often brought the Roman soldiers into the classroom to bring Welsh history alive!
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Lit up from across the Seiont River by six giant projectors produced with the strength of a projection company who have worked on highly visible projects such as Brightening up Britain, Christmas on the Palace and illuminating the opening and closing ceremony of the commonwealth games. Perhaps the most famous example of such a show must be the event in which brilliant, vivid images were projected onto Buckingham Palace for the Queen�s Golden Jubilee celebrations.
The show will be produced by a dedicated team of professionals: -
- The SHOW is PRODUCED by JOHN THIRSK
- Illustrator and Designer - John Thirsk
- E\T\C Ltd. - High Power Projection, worked with Buckingham Palace for the Queen's Jubilee. Europe�s foremost projection company.
Projection design is lead by ROSS ASHTON.
- Musical Composer - Malcolm Rowe, worked on the score for feature film, "The BFG".
- Local entertainers, craftsmen etc.
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