Richard Parr Capacity audiences at a spectacular sound and light production opening tonight will be told the story of the development of Fakenham down the centuries.

Richard Parr

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Capacity audiences at a spectacular sound and light production opening tonight will be told the story of the development of Fakenham down the centuries.

Tremendous interest has been created in the Son et Lumiere production which starts its three-night run tonight at the parish church.

The ambitious show will use digital sound and lighting effects to recreate snapshots of town life from a medieval market to a second world war air raid around the aisles and altars of the 14th century church.

Local people in costume will represent some of the famous figures who have visited the town over the centuries, including Lord Nelson and Oliver Cromwell.

There is a 40-strong cast comprising actors and actresses from local amateur drama groups and children from the town's infant and junior and high schools.

The show has been financed with the award of a �9,181 Lottery grant and Fakenham Rector, the Rev Adrian Bell, believes it will be a one-off event unlikely to be repeated.

“Apart from our annual Christmas Tree Festival, which attracts 20,000 visitors during its eight-day run, the Son et Lumiere will be the biggest show the parish church has staged and all of us here are really excited about it and are looking forward to our first night show tonight”, said Mr Bell.

Mr Bell explained that the original idea for the production came from Alan Childs who is a member of the parochial church council.

The event is almost a sell-out and Mr Bell says it is a wonderful opportunity for all those people interested in the history of the town to see it story being told.

“It is really unbelievable the way the church has been transformed with the lighting gantries and the digital sound equipment.

Mr Bell said that the idea for the Son et Lumiere has paved the way for future ideas and already in the planning stages for the Spring next year is a rock concert.

“The acoustics in the church building are perfect so we are all looking forward to a rock concert,” he said.