Release of red balloons recalls the 56 men of Dumfries and Galloway who fought and died to defeat Napoleon
An audience of 100 enjoyed a specially-created children’s performance featuring giant puppets and a pipe band to mark the 200th anniversary of Wellington’s victory at Waterloo.
Waterloo Sunset, created by the Electric Theatre Workshop, took place on Saturday at the Studio One performance space in Munches Street, Dumfries.
It was attended by Provost Councillor Ted Thompson and representatives from Dumfries’ German twin town of Gifhorn.
Men from both areas fought side-by-side at Waterloo, which was in June 1815, to defeat Napoleon and end the wars he had caused which brought death, destruction and hardship across much of Europe.
Jack Finlay, part of the ETW team which has created the show, said: “It was a real success and the audience seemed to love the puppets.
“It was great that we could do something colourful and engaging for children which taught them about an event where men from Dumfries and Galloway and Gifhorn helped shape the future history of the whole of Europe.”
The show was transferred from the Plainstanes, in front of Midsteeple, to the Electric Theatre Workshop’s new performance space due to the high winds.
At the end children from the audience were each given a red balloon which represented the 56 soldiers from Dumfries and Galloway who gave their lives in the Napoleonic Wars.
Everyone joined the performers in a countdown, with Provost, Councillor Ted Thompson releasing the first balloon.
Waterloo Sunset told the story of a young boy from Dumfries who was trying to solve the mystery behind his father’s disappearance – which led him on a great adventure and ultimately to the Battle of Waterloo.
The larger-than-life puppets included the characters of the boy (also called Jack), his companion Gull and Napoleon.
Dumfries Provost, Councillor Ted Thompson, said: “Waterloo was a decisive moment for Europe which concluded the Napoleonic Wars and ended almost a millennium of conflict between France and Great Britain.
“Soldiers from Gifhorn and Dumfriesshire fought together on that historic occasion and we are delighted that visitors from Gifhorn will be among the audience for the performance so we can celebrate both these links and the ties of friendship which bind us together today.”
Music was provided by the Buccleuch and Queensbury Caledonia Pipe Band.
