An opera telling the story of Isambard Kingdom Brunel is being revived to mark its 20th anniversary.
The Janice Thompson Performance Trust (JTPTrust), a Swindon-based singing school, will perform a 20-minute highlight of Brunel: The Little Man in the Tall Hat at its Summer Gala on Sunday, July 5.
The performance is also a tribute to the opera’s composer, Betty Roe MBE, who died in May at the age of 95.
Janice Thompson, director of the JTPTrust, said: "Swindon's story is inseparable from the railway.
"This opera captures the voices of the people who built the town and the visionaries who transformed Britain.
"By placing these stories in the hands and voices of young performers, we are ensuring that the pride, resilience and creativity of previous generations continue to inspire those who will shape Swindon's future."
Originally commissioned in 2006 as part of the South West Brunel Celebrations, the opera tells the story of the engineer through the eyes of the people of Swindon.
Their stories bring to life the Great Western Railway Works and a time when the workshops closed each summer and railway workers and their families travelled westward on special trains for their annual holidays.
Historic figures featured in the opera include Daniel Gooch and the workers of the repair shops, as well as the women whose skilled sewing and upholstery work helped keep the railway running.
First performed in September 2006 by 150 young singers in Swindon's Railway Village at St Mark’s Church, the opera was later revived at the STEAM Museum in 2016.
This year’s condensed performance will be staged by children aged four to 18, celebrating Swindon’s heritage while introducing a new generation to its industrial legacy.
The JTPTrust has restored additional scenes, including the 'Ghosts of Box' and the 'Picnic', alongside other transport-themed songs as part of the tribute.
The Summer Gala will take place at The Platform on Faringdon Road.
For those interested in attending, tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/jtpt-summer-gala-tickets-1986513437166.
The JTPTrust also has a waiting list open for new September starters.
As Swindon pursues its bid to become a future UK City of Culture, the Brunel opera is a testament to how local history can be turned into living art.
By bringing together young people, music, storytelling and community history, the production celebrates not only Swindon's industrial past but also its cultural future.
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