Rockford's Rock Opera is an ecological musical story created by Matthew Sweetapple, Steve Punt and Elaine Sweetapple. It was first released on the Internet and also as a three album set by Sweetapple in 2009. Rockford's Rock Opera uses audio visual resources, CGI animation and an audiobook story to teach about extinction, ecology and biodiversity. As a result, it has been promoted by education portals, including the BGCI, Woodland's Junior School, Teachernet and Primary Times. It has also been featured on BBC Radio – including a musical feature on BBC Radio 4's Go4it programme. Rockford's Rock Opera introduces the Island of Infinity, home to the last single representative of every extinct animal and plant species. Key characters include the fictional Cocklebur Ick, the Registrar, Dectopus, Feeble Beetle and The Herculous. Also featured are non fictional species such as the passenger pigeon, great auk, moa and thylacine. Rockford's Rock Opera is described as an "Adventure in Sound," citing influences such as Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, Roger Glover's Butterfly Ball and Harry Nilssen's The Point!. Delivered via the web and on CD, Rockford's Rock Opera was described by The Observer as "Magical", by The Guardian as an "ingenious story" and a "thoroughly modern musical" and, by The Times, as a "cult favourite as beloved as Wallace and Gromit." The musical story's on-line and on-mobile formats allow visitors access a variety of free audio visual materials and resources as well as different story formats. On Apple and Android Rockford's Rock Opera is available as an app for phones and tablets. In addition, Rockford's Rock Opera's ecological messages and content have led to cooperative links with environmental organisations and charities including the WWF, Buglife the BGCI and the Open University. In addition to many school performances, Rockford's Rock Opera has been performed live on stage at various venues including the Museum of London and The BullTheatre in London.
History
Rockford's Rock Opera grew from the success of a Sweetapple song released with the help of Gerry Bron on behalf of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home called "Rockford's Christmas" which entered the UK singles chart in 2004. Rockford's Rock Opera Part 1 was first performed live at The Bull Theatre, High Barnet on Friday, 29 January 2010. The cast included:
