The Mayflower returns to Plymouth

Royal Marines Band Plymouth, Plymouth Pavilions, 30 July 2022

In 2020, 400 years after the sailing of the Mayflower from Plymouth to the New World, Plymouth was due to host numerous events to mark this historic landmark. Unfortunately, the Mayflower commemorations were curtailed by the COVID19 pandemic and most of the planned events were not able to take place. These included a huge outdoor concert that was to feature a world premiere of a new musical work telling the story of the sailing, with music by Chris Williams and lyrics by Nick Stimpson.

Two years on, the piece will have its first performance to the public in a concert at Plymouth Pavilions by the Band of HM Royal Marines Plymouth, under the direction of their new Director of Music, Captain Matt Weites RM. Joining with a choir of 250 local people, under the direction of Marcus Alleyne, and narrated by the lyricist, Nick Stimpson, the piece will be the highlight of a nautical themed concert by the band on Saturday 30 July.

Other highlights include the Royal Marines Corps of Drums in guises most recently featured at commemorations for HM The Queens Platinum Jubilee, as well as more traditional marches and pieces featured in past Mountbatten Festivals of Music.

BdCSgt Mark Phillips of the Plymouth Band is responsible for bringing this vision to the Pavilions said; “Having been involved in this project from the outset back in 2019, I felt it was very important to bring this piece, written for the people of Plymouth, to Plymouth, and since the original performance was unable to be rearranged, it was only fitting to bring the performance to the South West’s premier indoor arena to allow the largest local audience the chance to see this important historical work”.

Tickets for this one off performance are available from www.theticketstore.co.uk and are on sale now.