The Opera Group in association with London Sinfonietta will present Bow Down in Summer 2012. This macabre folk tale, originally devised in 1977 by Harrison Birtwistle and Tony Harrison, Bow Down is reconceived by Frederic Wake-Walker in his directorial debut for The Opera Group, and brought to percussive and visceral life by nine young interdisciplinary performers.
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A spirited meditation on humankind’s enduring fascination with fire from acclaimed composer David Bruce and renowned pyrotechnic artists The World Famous. Fire is based on a collage of texts, including works from celebrated poet Vikram Seth and the 6th century Jewish poet Yannai. The newly-commissioned piece is performed by fire artists, an ensemble of horns and a community chorus.
MORE >The Opera Group Production, Co-Produced with Anvil Arts, Basingstoke and Opera North
music by Edward Rushton • words by Jeet Thayil
In a London suburb, four young men and women are preparing a terrorist act. As their mission draws closer they are disturbed by the ghost of Babur, first Mughal Emperor -poet and warrior. Challenging their convictions, he calls them ‘children playing in battle, in love with death’, but what are his motives for interfering?
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By Thomas O’Connell (performer)
At the start at the rehearsals we had little information about where were going to be performing. Now and then Director, Frederic Wake-Walker and other members of the production team would drop a little hint…’If she wears high heels in the forest, she’ll sink’.
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By Benjamin Mahns-Mardy (performer)
As we near the final stages of the rehearsal process and bring together the piece, the overall look is becoming clearer. It will be enhanced tremendously by the venues where we will be performing: The Municipal Market (Brighton, 17 & 18 May), a secret forest location (Norwich & Norfolk Festival, 20 & 21 May), The Village Underground (Spitalfields Music Festival, 13 June) and an open air stage (Latitude Festival, 12 & 14 July). Each one of these spaces is completely different and will bring a new depth to the performance.
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By Anita-Joy Uwajeh (performer)
I think that Bow Down combines the best of fairy tales and soap operas. It has rivalry, jealousy, love, good versus evil and a cliff-hanger. It is Cinderella and Snow White wrapped up in a dramatic nightmare.
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By Rehana Browne (performer)
At the very start of the rehearsal process, Sir Harrison Birtwistle (composer) told us that no individual performer should “specialise” in a particular skill and so we are all in a constant state of flux; playing instruments, singing, dancing and acting to create the inter-dependent musical and dramatic elements which give Bow Down its unique cubist feel.
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By Simon Kent (performer)
We have come to the end of the second week of Bow Down rehearsals, and what a couple of weeks it has been! I can honestly say I have never experienced rehearsals like these before, and I already can’t wait until Monday to begin week three.
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By Yolanda Mercy (performer)
Working with The Opera Group has been such an amazing experience (I know it may sound clichéd), but from day one everybody that I have met and interacted with from the company has been so friendly and extremely enthusiastic about this project, making me feel similar emotions. Though I have also been apprehensive because I didn’t know what being part of the Bow Down cast would involve.
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By Mana Shibata (performer)
We’re now getting into week two of the Bow Down project and the glorious weather of today perfectly matched our mood. But what a journey so far…
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They’re young and talented and over the coming weeks with rehearsals in full swing, they will take you behind the scenes to find out how the production of Bow Down is coming to life. Today, find out a little more about our cast for Bow Down…
