We are happy to host the world-premiere of the Man with a violin performance: fresh, witty contemporary music theatre realised as a chamber opera.
Man with a Violin is based on an encounter with a solo violinist sometime street busker who produced a black edged business card with the description 'Acting vice president of the Guild of Funerary Violinists, founded 1586' and tag line 'Don't Forget to die'.
Inspired by this encounter, writer Ruth Carter and composer Warren Wills have collaborated with violinist Alexander Balanescu to devise a drama of action, songs, laughter and music that will break your heart.
Story, book and lyrics: Ruth Carter Music: Warren Wills With: Alexander Balanescu (violin), Warren Wills (piano), Chantelle Duncan, Steve Trowell & Tina Jones (vocals)
Award-winning composer and musical director Warren Wills' credits include Ella and Marilyn (2008 Stratford East), Penelopiad (RSC), Murder Mystery Blues with Woody Allen, and the Olivier Award nominated Soul Train. His achievements include: Pin money Opera - Best Musical, Carling London Awards; Josephine - runner-up, up Critics Circle Award, New York 1993; Simply Heavenly - nominated for Best Musical at the TMA and Evening Standard Awards in 2003; and Critics Choice Composer for Card Index (BAC).
Ruth Carter has written extensively for stage and screen. She is a two time winner of the Grand Prize at the Gijon Film Festival, for And Pigs Might Fly and Joni Jones, both of which also received awards at the Chicago Film Festival. Coming Up Roses gained a theatrical release in the UK and USA and was selected for the Un Certain Regard category at Cannes. Her other television work includes Family Money, Channel 4 and The Hello Girls, BBC1. Her play Women of the Dust toured the UK and India following its London run while A Yearning also went on a national tour after its run at the Lyric Hammersmith.
Romanian born Alexander Balanescu is one of the most visionary and exciting violinists in the world today, with a repertoire focused on contemporary and new music. As well as working with musicians from varied musical fields including David Byrne, the Pet Shop Boys, Pina Bausch and Jochen Ulrich, he is the founder of the internationally renowned Balanesco Quartet. Alex's credits for film and TV work include Angels and Insects, Le Poulpe, and II Partigiano Johnny. His increasingly strong links with his Romanian roots have been the catalyst for his collaboration with the singer and actress Ada Milea resulting in The Island.
Steve Trowell tours the world with his a cappella band The Magnets as well as featuring in many classical and operatic productions. He also performs jazz and pop extensively, both vocally and on saxophone, and features on many film soundtracks including Pirates of the Caribbean, Transformers and Hell Boy 2.
Berakah lead singer Chantelle Duncan's cover of One Day I'll Fly Away reached the Blues and Soul Chart top five in 1994. This was just the start of many recordings and releases, TV and radio work. Chantelle has just recorded her first soundtrack for the movie, The Man from Earth.
Tina Jones began work as an actor with the Brighton Combination, Albany Empire and Pip Simmons Theatre Group and has since worked in the Royal Shakespeare Company, in repertory theatre, musicals, contemporary opera and television. For Babel Theatre, with composer Warren Wills, she has performed, written and produced six full-length music theatre shows on subjects ranging from Proust and Hogarth to Shamanism.
When: 27 October; 3 - 5 pm
Where: Romanian Cultural Institute, 1 Belgrave Square, London
Admission: free.
