Last tickets left for RISE show in Bradford city center

Creative director Shahnaz Gulzar promised an “unexpected, surprising and magical” show when RISE transforms the Mirror Pool into a stage this weekend.

Tickets for Saturday are already sold out and RISE will be telling the story with a cast of just over 200 professional performers and Bradford residents.

Guests can expect everything from aerialists and dazzling projections to orchestras and choirs, and of course, magic.

The production has been created by award-winning director Kirsty Housley and Bradford's resident magician Stephen Freyn, formerly known as Dynamo.

“It was very moving to see young people, grandparents, and grandchildren working together at the rehearsal just before Christmas. Two friends playing together. You can see the humanity. You can see the people. I can see the connection.

Director Kirsty Housley (right) and community participants rehearsing for Bradford RISE 2025 (Image: Karol Wyszynski) “When we put out a call for performers, we thought, “Will people jump at this opportunity? Well, they thought it was their thing. They were flooded. It was really great. I want the same for the audience. I want over 20,000 people to come to the city center on Friday and Saturday and leave feeling positive and optimistic about themselves. 2025 is for the whole of Bradford -. You can leave feeling uplifted and happy, and that's how you can make a difference. You can't make a difference if you keep your head down.

Bradford 2025's Shahnaz Gulzar and Dan Bates, pictured together in the centre, are some of the people planning to make Bradford's City of Culture Year special (Image: Bradford 2025)“What I'm looking at is the real picture and story of Bradford. It's not a negative thing about Bradford, 'Who wants to live in Bradford?' Every city has such challenges. Bradford is no exception.

“RISE takes place at the iconic Mirror Pool. When we asked Bradford residents who they would like to see in Bradford in 2025, we heard Stephen Freyn. This show is about people. It will be about Bradford, it will be unexpected, it will be a surprise and it will be magical.”

Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo (Image: Bradford 2025/Steven Frayne) Work is already well underway to prepare the stages and technology required for RISE.

“I went to see the staging being done,” Shahnaz said.

“It certainly looks big. I saw the rehearsals just before Christmas and it was absolutely beautiful. “Over 200 Bradfordians who are part of RISE will be working together to create an opportunity for people who have never performed before to learn. I learned some aerial skills that I didn't know I had. It's going to be great.”

RISE preparations at Bradford's Mirror Pool (Image: Newsquest) Speaking about the preparations for the event, Shahnaz added: “The snow has fallen and we are very focused on making sure the event goes ahead.

“In the lead up to Christmas, we had storms, freezing cold, snow. The weather was like, 'Well, let's just leave this behind.'”

Commenting on Bradford's Year of Culture as a whole, Mr Shahnaz expressed his belief that the borough has what it takes to become the best city of culture ever.

“We absolutely know we are the best. There's no denying the fact that we're the biggest because we're a city and a district. We're 144 square miles here in the British City of Culture. I We are one city, four towns, and many villages.

Creative Director Shahnaz Gulzar, Photo (Image: Bradford 2025) “Our volunteers are at the heart of our service. They are the face of our year, they are the face of our festival, they show people around our city, they tell us about our city’s facts, people, Share some of the history and the present.

“We are one of the UK's youngest cities and have young people at our heart. We employ a team of young Bradford-born and Bradford-raised creatives to promote British City of Culture. .

Rehearsal for RISE, Bradford 2025 (Image: Karol Wyszynski) “We have a program created by Bradfordians, for Bradfordians.”

Speaking about what's special about Bradford, the artist said: we have the ability. Creativity is in the DNA of everyone who lives in Bradford. We have given the world some great artists and writers. ”

From 6.30pm, RISE will mark the official opening of Bradford 2025 British City of Culture. DJs and food stalls will also be set up to coincide with the event.

Tickets cost just £2, but under 16s and over 60s are free. Bradford residents aged 16-25 can get a free ticket by signing up for a free Bradford 2025 Youth Pass.

Only a few tickets remain for Friday's event.

For tickets or information, call 01274 053100, email ticketing@bradford2025.co.uk or visit the City Park box office.