A concertplay (where music and theatre collide) following a Jewish woman in 1492 Seville who is being forced to leave her home and tunes into the songs and voices of a community of Christian, Muslim and Jewish women. Featuring Emily Baines on recorders and douçaine.
Cottiers Theatre, 93-95 Hyndland St, Glasgow G11 5PU
£20 / £16 concs / £5 student/Under 18
“Last night’s performance was so utterly moving - a human story brought to life… a collaborative wondrous experience that touched every part of my being.”
Audience member (2022)
A concertplay (where music and theatre collide) written by award-winning writer Clare Norburn and directed by BAFTA-nominated director Nicholas Renton.
Spain, 1492. At twilight on her final night in Seville, a Jewish woman, played by Suzanne Ahmet (subject to availability - Generation Z (Channel 4), Ludwig (BBC)), lights the lamps. She is being forced to leave Spain and set sail for an uncertain future. Her story echoes the personal stories of people affected by politics and war today. She tunes into the voices of a community of Christian, Muslim and Jewish women from across the Spanish peninsula.
Down the centuries, women’s stories of integration, love, the rich cultural heritage of the Spanish peninsula and racial intolerance are played out to a soundtrack of plaintive Sephardic songs and lively medieval music performed live by acclaimed musicians of The Telling. Be transported back to 15th-century Seville!
The lineup features Emily Baines on recorders and also the douçaine, "which is a really interesting instrument, and a bit of a mystery," says Emily. "We know it was an uncapped double reed instrument but with a cylindrical bore which would produce a lower sound and a smaller range. It's sound was described as sweeter than other double reeds of the time as well. My douçaine is made by Christophe Schuler, who, having looked at the evidence, including the one possible extant instrument (found on the wreck of the Mary Rose) has made a design which has all these characteristics and uses a reed similar to an Armenian Duduk which really produces a lovely rich tone, with real dynamic flexibility and which works beautifully as a supporting instrument in some of the Sephardic songs. "
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