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A Spectacular Show in Bradford City Centre
A spectacular show in the heart of Bradford city centre is hoped to bring 20,000 people to the UK’s City of Culture over two days.
Creative director Shanaz Gulzar promised an “unexpected, surprising, magical” show when RISE turns the Mirror Pool into a stage this weekend.
With Saturday’s tickets already sold out, RISE will tell its story with a 200-strong cast of professional performers and Bradford residents.
Guests can expect anything from aerialists and dazzling projections to an orchestra and huge choir – and of course, magic.
It has been created by award-winning director Kirsty Housley and Bradford’s very own magician Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo.
“It was so moving at the rehearsals just before Christmas, seeing these young people, grandparent, grandchild collaboration; two friends performing together. You see humanity. You see people. You see connections.
Director Kirsty Housley (right) and community participants rehearse for RISE, Bradford 2025 (Image: Karol Wyszynski) “When we did the call out for performers we were like, are people going to jump at this opportunity? Well they saw it as something for themselves. We were inundated. It was absolutely fantastic. I want the same for the audiences. I want over 20,000 on Friday and Saturday to come into the city centre and to leave seeing themselves in a positive, optimistic light. 2025 belongs to the whole of Bradford – to leave feeling uplifted and joyful. That’s how we can create change. You can’t create change if you’re looking down all the time.
Bradford 2025’s Shanaz Gulzar and Dan Bates, pictured together in the centre, with some of those who plan to make Bradford’s City of Culture year special (Image: Bradford 2025)“What I’m seeing is the true representation and story of Bradford. It’s not the negativity of Bradford, the ‘Who wants to live in Bradford?’. Every city has those challenges. Bradford’s not different.
“RISE is taking place in the iconic Mirror Pool. We asked Bradfordians, who do you want to see in Bradford 2025, they said Steven Frayne. The show is about people, it’s about Bradford, it’s unexpected, it’s surprising, it’s going to be magical.”
Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo (Image: Bradford 2025/Steven Frayne) Work to set up the stage and technology needed for RISE is already well underway.
Preparations for RISE
“I’ve been out to see the staging going on,” said Shanaz.
“It’s definitely looking big. I saw the rehearsals just before Christmas and it’s beautiful – over 200 Bradfordians, part of RISE – people who never performed before, learning aerial skills they would never have thought they’d have the opportunity to learn. It’s going to be spectacular.”
Preparations for RISE in Bradford’s Mirror Pool (Image: Newsquest) Speaking about preparations for the event, Shanaz added: “Snow’s happened – we’re very focused on ensuring the event goes forward.
“We had the storm leading up to Christmas, freezing cold, snow. The weather’s going, ‘Well I’m getting this out of the way’.”
Bradford’s Year of Culture
Speaking about Bradford’s year of culture as a whole, Shanaz expressed her belief that the district has got what it takes to be the best City of Culture yet.
“I absolutely know we’re the best, there’s no denying the fact we’re the biggest because we’re city and district. We’re 144 square miles of UK City of Culture. We’re a city, four towns and many, many villages.
Creative director Shanaz Gulzar, pictured (Image: Bradford 2025) “Our volunteers are the heart of our delivery. They’re the faces of our year, the face of our festivals, to show people around the city, share the facts, figures and history of our city and some of the present.
“We’re one of the youngest cities in the UK and putting the young people at the heart of it. We’ve recruited a team of young creatives – Bradford born and bred, and they’re delivering the UK City of Culture.
Rehearsals for RISE, Bradford 2025 (Image: Karol Wyszynski) “We have a programme that is made for Bradfordians by Bradfordians.”
Talking about what makes Bradford special, the artist said: “We’ve got character. We have ability. There’s creativity in the DNA of every single person in Bradford. We’ve given the world some of the greatest artists or writers.”
Event Details
From 6.30pm, RISE will mark the official opening of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. There will be DJ and food stalls alongside the event.
Tickets cost just £2 but are free for under-16s and over-60s. Bradford residents aged 16–25 can get free tickets by signing up for the free Bradford 2025 Youth Pass.
A few tickets remain for Friday’s event.
For tickets or information call 01274 053100, email ticketing@bradford2025.co.uk or visit the box office in City Park.
