A rallying call has been issued to remind volunteers to sign up to help put the sparkle into a £27m open-air night extravaganza planned for Bishop Auckland.
More than 1,000 people of all ages are needed to help turn the thrilling and visually stunning Eleven Arches Night Show from a dream into reality.
To date 760 volunteers have stepped forward, with 700 signing up at a special open day held in Bishop Auckland in early June.
Now with the dates set for try-out events in September where would-be volunteers will be put through their paces to match them to their ideal role, the team behind the Eleven Arches project wants to ensure that everyone who wants to be involved makes the most of the chance.
Claire Byers, Director of Marketing and Communications for Eleven Arches, said, “We have been really inspired by the number of people who have stepped forward to date and the huge enthusiasm and excitement we have witnessed from the people of Bishop Auckland for the Eleven Arches Night Show.
“Over 1,000 people of all ages came along to a special open day we held on June 6th to find out more about Eleven Arches and the opportunities available, with an incredible 700 signing-up there and then as would-be volunteers.
“Some people may have gone away to think further about it or may have made a start on their application and not submitted it yet.
“With the first ‘mix and match’ event being held between September 10th and 13th to identify the roles best suited to those who have already signed up, we would urge anyone who wants to be involved to get their application in and make the most of this golden opportunity.
“It couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is complete a light-hearted and short online form at www.elevenarches.org.”
No previous experience is necessary for the majority of roles with the emphasis on finding people who are friendly, welcoming and dedicated to making the Eleven Arches Night Show a success.
Volunteers must commit to a minimum number of shows which will be explained at the ‘mix and match’ events. Everyone will be coached in their roles and professional training will be given where specialist skills are required.
There are a wide range of general volunteering roles available from the ticketing and booking team to sales and communications, ushers, costume, set and prop making, security, landscaping, merchandising, pyrotechnics, first aid, technical skills and actors.
The Eleven Arches Night Show will be the UK’s biggest live action night spectacular of its kind when it opens in July next year.
An engaging family orientated entertainment, it will bring to life 2,000 years of British history as seen through the eyes of the North East, and will play out against the magnificent backdrop of medieval Auckland Castle’s St Peter’s Chapel on a vast 7.5 acre stage on the banks of the River Wear.
The Eleven Arches Night Show is expected to create £9m off-site tourism spend translating into around 390 additional new jobs at local and 492 at regional level.
Showcasing the best of Bishop Auckland and the North East to both a national and international audience, the 90-minute production will run over 13 nights next summer to up to 8,000 visitors per show.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
