This Saturday (28 June), a new musical odyssey debuts in Kingston, bringing together the work of 75 young creators. 

Bridging Kingston has been a six-month project seeing composer Chyenne Gibbs-Singh collaborating with children in Chessington Community College, Christ Church Primary School, Malden Parochial Primary School and youth group South Side TheatreAcademy.

'Bridging Kingston' was made in colloboration with with children in Chessington Community College, Christ Church Primary School, Malden Parochial Primary School and youth group South Side TheatreAcademy (Credit: KIngston Council)

The result is a brand new show and an anthem for Kingston.  

The show brings Kingston's history to life in music and song through the imaginations of the next generation. It has been commissioned for Kingston 2025, the borough's six-month arts, culture and heritage festival. 

In the show, key scenes in Kingston's history are recreated on stage in new songs, bringing humour, excitement and poignancy - all accompanied by a live band.

The scenes include the crowning of King Athelstan in Kingston in the year 925, the evacuee stories of the Second World War, and the contemporary parallels with the Royal Borough of Kingston as a place of sanctuary today.  

Kingston Council's Programme Lead for Kingston 2025, Kathryn Woodvine said: "It's been a real privilege to see the ideas of young people come to life through the talent of our composer Cheyenne working creatively with the director Madeleine O'Reilly and the young actors, singers and musicians joining us at The Rose Theatre.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring together a unique group of performers in a show with a fantastic energy. We're also delighted that actors Toby Abbott and Badrika Baluch will be back in Kingston again after their star turns in our launch event."    

The performances are taking place on the opening day of the FUSE International Festival, a celebration of live performance and creativity by young and emerging artists from around the world. 

Over the 10-day festival, more than 80 events encompassing film, music, theatre and visual arts will take place across Kingston, curated by charity Creative Youth.  

Tickets for Bridging Kingston - A Musical Odyssey can be booked via Creative Youth at bit.ly/BridgingKingston.

Standard tickets cost £12 and concession tickets cost £7.

Last week the Creative Youth's venue, FUSEBOX, was flooded - disrupting all the activities due to take place there.

To overcome this setback, audience support for the festival is needed more than ever. The latest venue information and tickets can be found on https://creativeyouthcharity.org or with their social media channels.