ACCOLADES have been pouring in following a successful sell-out performance of Uncelebrated Journey, a play about Swindon and its people, organised by the High Sheriff of Wiltshire Nicky Alberry.

"The reaction and comments we've had about the show has been absolutely fantastic and demonstrates the enormous amount of hard work that was put in by lots of groups and individuals. I cannot thank everyone enough, who worked so hard, and made this show the huge success it was," she said.

The show at the Wyvern Theatre told the story of the Hammerman Poet, Alfred Williams, who came from a poor background, worked in the Great Western Railway works, and went on to become a published poet and writer.

The play was also a tribute to the development of the town from the 19th century to the diverse and successful community it is today.

"We had a wonderful time - we had no idea of the life of Alfred Williams and absolutely no idea of the wealth of talent in Swindon in the performing arts. It was of an extremely high standard throughout and an inspiration. You will be rightly very proud of everything they, you and your team have achieved," one member of the audience said.

“That was a truly magical evening from start to finish. It must have taken hundreds of hours of time and thought to produce something so seamlessly professional and so enjoyable to watch. The story was strangely moving, and easy to follow even for the hard of hearing, and there was amazing variety in the music.

"The dancing was out of this world. I enjoyed the whole evening quite enormously and am still running it through my mind and wondering how on earth you got so many different performers performing so brilliantly without getting in the way of each other. Lovely bits of film. Lovely evening altogether," enthused one theatre goer.

“Just a note to say how much we enjoyed last night’s concert. What an achievement in getting all that talent together and showing the creative part of Swindon not many see. Let's hope we can get some long-term benefit from the evening and that the world sees Swindon in a new light," said another.

Among the performers were ballet professionals Rachael Gillespie Dixon, as well as musicians Paul Turner and Caroline Dale. The show also featured Ten in a Bar, the Janice Thompson Singers, Wessex Male Choir, Swindon Choral Society, Swindon Dance Centre for Advanced Training, Judith Hockaday School of Dance, SAPAC, Prime Theatre, Commonweal School Choir and two short films by Create Studios.