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The backdrop of Harewood House, built in the mid-18th century with money made from the sugar trade, brings a special resonance to Carnival Messiah. The production has its origins in the chaos and colour of carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, and Leeds.

Leeds' carnival, one of the earliest Caribbean carnivals in the UK, also celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2007.

Carnival Messiah is an ambitious, piece of theatre with a cast of over 100 including a chorus to be recruited from the people of Leeds. The community cast will also have a chance to learn about the many cultural heritages the show draws upon.

Harewood House has a long musical past and in the diaries of the abolitionist MP William Wilberforce he remembers singing at Harewood in 1796, accompanied on the piano by the then Lady Harewood.

With the O2 Wireless festival and the Stooges charity gig at the stately home in 2007, Carnival Messiah is another chapter in Harewood's varied musical history.

Carnival Messiah rehearsals

Geraldine Connor, the inspirational creator and Artistic Director behind Carnival Messiah, says: "I originally conceived Carnival Messiah as a way of bringing together people of different backgrounds, ethnicities and creeds. What better way to do that than through media that are universal to us all - art, theatre, dance and music - and in so doing help to move towards a better understanding of the shared heritages of Europe and the Caribbean.

The original, highly-acclaimed, production was first performed at West Yorkshire Playhouse in 1999 and again in 2002. It was then also performed in Trinidad & Tobago.

Carnival Messiah rehearsals

Preparations for Carnival Messiah at Harewood stepped up several gears on Sunday 8 July 2007 with the start of rehearsals. The 110-strong cast will have their acting, singing, rapping, dancing, masquerading, steel drumming and stilt-walking skills honed to perfection in time for the opening night in a Big Top at Harewood on September
14 2007.

The community cast, successfully recruited from 'X-Factor' style open auditions held earlier this year in Leeds, will be joined in August by the full cast of professional performers including singer Ella Andall and veteran actor and musician Ram John Holder.

Tickets are now on sale for Carnival Messiah at Harewood House which runs from Friday 14 September - Sunday 30 September 2007. Ring the box office on 0113 218 1000, from 10.30am to 5.30pm, seven days a week, for ticket information or visit the website: