A magical, musical tour for young people Living in Coventry today. Journey back through the ages and experience the war-time blitz; meet Sir Frank Whittle; recall the  range of motor cars built here and celebrate the importance of Coventry’s industrial heritage before arriving in the times of the iconic Lady Godiva.

Living in Coventry

An invitation to dance through the history of Coventry and celebrate the characters and culture of the city from the present day to the times of the Countess of Mercia.

We're Coventry cars

It was in Coventry that Daimler chose to build the first British car in 1897.  Although small now compared to its heyday, the motor industry continues to produce motor cars providing London with its black cabs.  This car-based rap, over a Specials riff, introduces young people to the names of Coventry’s car manufacturers and models.

Starley's inventions

It is easy to underestimate the contribution James Starley made to the development of the bicycle as we know it today. Without him, and the skilled workforce of Coventry’s former clock and watchmakers, we may still be riding round on boneshakers!

The Lady Godiva

Having duped her husband into agreeing to repeal the taxes, Lady Godiva must now keep her side of the bargain.  But how can she maintain her dignity and fulfil her promise?  This samba style telling of the Godiva story will reveal all - just like Lady Godiva had to!

Remember not to forget

Taking inspiration from Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem (1962), this song tells the story of the night Coventry was bombed during WWII and reminds us of the importance of knowing our city’s history in order to shape a bright future.  ​

Cycling around

Bicycles and tricycles became synonymous with Coventry thanks to James Starley - more on him later.  This syncopated Ragtime-based tune provides opportunities to combine multiple voices and body percussion rhythms in a ‘bespoke’ creation!

City walls

With a twelve foot high wall surrounding the city, Coventry was once the best defended city in England outside London.  If only these walls could talk!  This reggae style song with 2-Tone riffs invites you to imagine all the sights and sounds that the walls have witnessed over the years. 

Sir Frank

Think Six the Musical meets the Spice Girls’ Wannabe meets Michael Jackson’s Billy Jean and you get an idea of the musical styles involved in this song pastiche. Sing about the life of jet-setting Sir Frank Whittle, ‘the little man with the big ideas’, in a story of triumph over adversity.

Clocks ticking

The history of Coventry’s clock and watchmaking industry can be traced back to the latter half of the 17th century when Samuel Watson became famous for his innovative astronomical clock. Picture yourself in a clockmaker’s workshop surrounded by the constant ticking of timepieces.  This piece challenges you to get your lips, teeth and tongue around an eclectic mix of tongue twisters.

Godiva muses

Feel the passion of this Anglo-Saxon noblewoman in this hauntingly beautiful song as she wrestles with her conscience and seeks to find ways to persuade her tyrannical husband to repeal the heavy taxes that are causing widespread poverty.  Admire her tenacity and cunning as she formulates a solution no-one anticipated.