SCOTTISH Opera and the Citizens Theatre have joined forces to create and present a double bill of short operas for the whole family.
The double bill features a large cast of all ages – including local amateur and professional actors, singers and musicians, and players from The Orchestra of Scottish Opera.
It will premiere at the Citizens Theatre this February.
On the Rim of the World - by composer, Orlando Gough, and writer, Jehane Markham – was commissioned by the UK opera companies for performance in and with their local communities.
It has been reworked by directors, Elly Goodman and Neil Packham – with a touch of Glaswegian – for Scottish audiences.
Thirty adults and 20 children from the Citizens Theatre’s community performance programme, as well as players from Scottish Opera’s Connect Orchestra, will bring On the Rim of the World to life.
Inspired by the bedtime rituals of a family and the cosmic questions that children ponder (“What happens if the sky runs out?”), On the Rim of the World explores the transition from childhood to adulthood and portrays the adult world viewed through children’s eyes.
Dr Ferret’s Bad Medicine Roadshow is a gleefully gruesome parody of Victorian moral fables inspired by Hilaire Belloc’s The Cautionary Tales.
Sneaky, snotty children of Glasgow better watch out when Dr Ferret and his gang roll into the Gorbals – his Bad-o-meter’s going to find out how mischievous today’s kids really are, and sort the good eggs from the bad!
Members of Scottish Opera’s Connect Company join players from The Orchestra of Scottish Opera to bring the world premiere of writer Martin Riley’s morality tale written specially for Scottish Opera to the stage, with music by composer Stephen Deazley and direction from children and youth theatre specialist Andy Manley.
-ENDS-
For additional press details please contact:
Kerryn Hurley, Press Manager, 0141 242 0511, kerryn.hurley@scottishopera.org.uk
Emma York, Press Officer, 0141 242 0552, emma.york@scottishopera.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The double bill marks a second successful collaboration with the Citizens Theatre, after working together on a staging of Bizet’s Carmen earlier in the year.
2. On The Rim of the World was commissioned in 2007 by eight of the UK’s opera companies, including Scottish Opera.
3. Scottish Opera Connect and Connect Orchestra involve young singers and musicians aged between 14 and 21 years. The programme introduces them to the world of professional opera and allows them to develop knowledge, technique and creative skills under the expert tutelage of Scotland’s top opera professionals.
4. The Citz community and performance company is made up of participants drawn from the Citizens Theatre’s extensive programme of creative learning opportunities, which includes drama classes for 4-15 year-olds, acting classes for adults and two non-professional acting companies, the Citizens Community Company and Young Co.
5. For more details, go to scottishopera.org.uk or citz.co.uk.
Listings info and production details
Citizens Theatre and Scottish Opera present
A DOUBLE BILL OF FAMILY OPERA
SCOTTISH PREMIERE
ON THE RIM OF THE WORLD
Music Orlando Gough
Written Jehane Markham
Conductor Chris Gray
Directed Elly Goodman and Neil Packham
Designed Ali Maclaurin
Choreographer Linda Payne
WORLD PREMIERE
DR FERRET’S BAD MEDICINE ROADSHOW
Music Stephen Deazley
Written Martin Riley
Directed Andy Manley
Designer Alison Maclaurin
Main Theatre
Sat 5 & Sun 6 February, 2.30pm & 6.30pm
Tickets: £7.50 – Family of three £19.50 | Family of four £26 | Family of five £32.50)
Both operas suitable for age seven-plus
Running time 1 hour 45 mins (including 30-minute interval).
Box Office: 0141 429 0022
Online booking: citz.co.uk
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Scottish Opera. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Emma York
Phone: 0141 242 0552
Email: emma.york@scottishopera.org.uk
Website: http://www.scottishopera.org.uk
