24 Italian Songs and Arias

3 - 19 Mar

This event has now passed

Information

Time: 8pm

Tickets: Pay What You Can (Recommended Price £16)

Running Time: 60 mins

Age Guidance: 12+

This event takes place in person in our Members Bar.

A show about failure, by two award-winning failures.

After failing to win numerous awards and after many unsuccessful funding applications, 24 Italian Songs and Arias is a recital, an opera, a gathering for (and by) those whose best isn’t always enough.

(Beloved) performance artist Brian Lobel failed to get into the New York State Choir. (Acclaimed) Soprano Gweneth-Ann Rand (4.48 Psychosis, Royal Opera House; Aida, English National Opera) failed to win at Cardiff Singer of the World. These two magnificent failures have joined forces to create a show about trying your best, aiming to please and how we ever know if we are ‘good enough’.

There’s no dress code…but you won’t be turned away for donning a top hat or silky gloves, should the mood strike you.

‘It’s hard to resist the gorgeous final moments which remind that sometimes imperfection is far more interesting than flawless perfection, and often just having a go is a success in itself’ Lyn Gardner (Stagedoor)

‘Without romanticising failure or bitterly rehashing it, this is a performance about frustration, drifting and feeling ‘not good enough’’ Tatjana Damjanovic (The Spy in the Stalls)

Developed with support from The Yard, Certain Blacks, University Musical Society (UMS) at the University of Michigan and Arts Council England.

This performance is Pay What You Can.

The Pay What You Can Scheme removes a financial barrier, giving everyone the chance to see our shows.

This is made possible by those who are able choosing a higher price point, and for this you can be guided by the recommended price. Thank you for supporting us and the community by continuing to book with us. We look forward to seeing you soon.

CAST

Brian Lobel
Gweneth-Ann Rand
Allyson Devenish
Naomi Felix
Cameron Stewart
Joshua Furtado-Mendes

Choir Members (various dates):

Kirsty Boyd, John Clarke, Anne-Marie Dolor, Marie Garrison, Eugenia Georgieva, Dorothy Jones, Belinda Murray, Paul Pennant, Herjoyt Ubhi, Beatrice Boivineau, Ania Kalacinska, Kyle Rokkas and Pek Tan.

Producers: The Uncultured (Ash Bowmott and Laura Sweeney)

Production Management: Tom Wilson

Lighting: Froud

Set Design: Mamoru Iriguchi

Trailer: Claire Nolan

Photo: Christa Holka

Translation: Silvia Mercuriali

Stage Management/Projections: Giulia Mazzocanti

Dramaturgical Support: Season Butler, Patrick Eakin Young, Jordan Tannahill, Pia Furtado.

*Accompanying the 24 Italian Songs & Arias performance is a website anthology of all 24 songs by singers from around the world. Watch and add your own: www.24italiansongs.org*

Special Thanks: Karen Lobel (Emeritus 24 Italian Songs & Arias Performer), UMS (Ann Arbor), Battersea Community Choir, Clive Lyttle & Certain Blacks, Lehni Lamide Davies, The Yard, Latitude Festival, and all of our first music teachers: Mrs. Nevins, Mrs. Rice, Mrs. Burroughs, Mr. Sciusco and Mr. McCuaig among others.

PRE EVENT INFORMATION

This event takes place in person in our Members Bar. This space is on the first floor, with step-free access available via a lift.

If you have booked a ticket you will receive an email from us before your performance detailing important information about your visit. If you would like to read about our current COVID safety measures in place, you can find out more about what to expect here.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT/COMPANION TICKETS

If you require the assistance of a friend or helper to attend, we can make a free ticket available for your companion. You can book access companion tickets online or contact the Box Office to book by emailing access@bac.org.uk.

To book a free access companion online:

log in to your account here
go to ‘Other preferences’ and tick ‘I require a personal assistant/companion’.
Choose the performance, date and seats you would like and if you add at least 2 tickets to your basket, then one of these will automatically become free.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Socially distanced performance: 16 Mar, 8pm

Content

Loud or sudden music/sounds
Some mild profanity

All performances will be Relaxed. We invite you to make yourself comfortable and move around if you need to and if you need to leave the performance at any point you will be allowed to return to the space when you feel ready.

AUDIO INTRODUCTION: 24 Italian Songs and Arias

PRE-SHOW INFORMATION

VISIT OUR ACCESS PAGE

We have been recognised by the National Tourist Associations of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, that we are operating within the COVID-19 Industry Standard.

FIND OUT MORE

The entrance to our scratch bar. A couple wearing face masks are listening to instruction from a duty manager wearing a visor reading from a clipboard. To the left of them is a sign propped against the side of the bar entitled 'Health Declarations'.

We encourage all audience members to wear a mask whilst sat in performance spaces and when moving around our building (unless you’re exempt).

We have a limited number of socially distanced performances for most shows, so you can choose when you feel most comfortable attending.

Image: When It Breaks It Burns. A group of young people dancing under multi-coloured lights. Photo by JMA Photography.

Our COVID booking policy means that it’s easy to exchange your tickets if you are unable to attend.

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