Sideshows
Duration
ACT I 30mins
ACT II 30mins
Premiere Production
6th July 2015, Cockpit Theatre, London
Composer
Leo Geyer
Librettist
Martin Kratz
Choreographer
Jarry Glavin
Costume Design
Sebastian Freeburn
Make-up Design
Billie Mackenzie
Current Touring Company
Ringmaster (conductor) Leo Geyer
Palm Reader / Delilah (mezzo-soprano) Rachel Maby
Dancing Bear / Bearded Lady (dancer) Gyorgy Baan
The Snake (dancer) Aisling Longshaw
Mrs Scraper (violin) Henry Rankin
Mr Scraper (cello) Michael Newman
Honker (clarinet) Antanas Makštutis
Tickler (piano) Hamish Brown
UPCOMING DATES
11th March 2020, 8pm
Kings Place, London
SPONSORSHIP
This production was generously supported by the Ralph Vaughen Williams Foundation.
Awarded Lord Mayor's Composition Prize
Awarded Philip Bates Prize for Composers'
"fun, fizzing and contemporary"
BBC Radio 3
"excellent musical mayhem"
The Daily Express
"anarchic fairground fun"
The Opera Magazine
Roll up, roll up for the award-winning Sideshows and feast your eyes and ears on this opera and ballet spectacular! We at Constella OperaBallet are proud to present our very own ferocious dancing bear, mystical palm reader, explosive fire-eater and more! Ladies and Gentlemen this is a show not to be missed…
Sideshows takes the format of an unhinged circus show, with the Ringmaster (conductor) presenting acts which quickly spiral out of control to hilarious effect. The music, which is provided by an ensemble of clowns, explores the boundaries between jazz and contemporary classical music employing extended jazz harmony, limping grooves and wild improvisation. Some acts are sung whilst others are danced, warping the fundamentals of classical ballet technique to bring the freakish characters to life.
Constella has also delivered a major masterclass programme at West Kent College based on the show.
Performance History
17th Feb 2018 - West Kent College
26th Nov 2017 - Sadler's Wells
25th Nov 2017 - Sadler's Wells
4th July 2016 - Sadler's Wells
22nd Aug 2015 - C Venues
21st Aug 2015 - C Venues
20th Aug 2015 - C Venues
19th Aug 2015 - C Venues
18th Aug 2015 - C Venues
17th Aug 2015 - C Venues
8th Aug 2015 - Grimeborn Opera Festival (Arcola Theatre)
7th Aug 2015 - Grimeborn Opera Festival (Arcola Theatre)
6th Aug 2015 - Grimeborn Opera Festival (Arcola Theatre)
5th Aug 2015 - Grimeborn Opera Festival (Arcola Theatre)
30th July 2015 - live on BBC Radio 3
24th Sept 2015 - Blackheath Concert Halls
10th Aug 2015 - Tête à Tête Opera Festival (Kings Place)
9th Aug 2015 - Tête à Tête Opera Festival (Kings Place)
7th Aug 2015 - Broadcasting House, live on BBC Radio 3
6th July 2015 - Cockpit Theatre