INSPIRED by the highly collectable paintings of north east based artist Alexander Millar, Kelly-Abbott Dance Theatre has put together a celebration of the working class and the UK in all its industrial glory - Launch Day.

Featuring exciting and powerful movement, combined with a captivating soundtrack by world renowned rock guitarist and Grammy Award winning musician Mark Knopfler and Irish composer Breifne Holohan, Launch Day brings to life Millar's iconic characters - the Gadgies - and British shipyard workers socially and at work.

Former Dire Straits lead guitarist and frontman Mark, who also composes music for film, said it is always exciting when individual pieces of creative work come together to make something else: "This project with Kristin’s dancers is inspired by painting and song and I’m delighted that some of my music is a part of it."

Kelly-Abbott Dance Theatre is based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne founded and led by Kristin Kelly-Abbott.

The company is touring the acclaimed piece which was commissioned by Dance City and Queens Hall, Hexham, and sponsored by Urban Splash, and was shortlisted for Performance of the Year at the Living North Awards 2016.

The dancers will work with the local community at each tour venue and is looking for participants to play the role of the gadgies for every performance.

Taking to Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre stage on Wednesday, March 14 (8pm), artistic director Kristin said she's excited to tour Launch Day nationally and even more excited to get gadgies into the wider community: "Our community participation programme is so important, enabling us to interact with local people to show them that dance theatre is accessible and that you will be entertained if you come and see this show. It means we can stay true to the themes of this show - that whole sense of community, the working man the camaraderie of the workforce, when everyone rallies round for the cause. That's really what we want to depict."

Meanwhile, there is a Crowdfunder being run to help support the community workshops at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/getting-the-gadgies-into-the-community-launch-day.

Those interested in playing the famed gadgies should contact the Brewery box office on 01539-725133.