Tag / Theatre

by markhendriksen

ABC of Opera Productions | Update

ABC of Opera | The Academy of Barmy Composers

  • The grant application has been sent for approval to Arts Council Wales, supported by Welsh National Opera [WNO] for an R&D period for the ABC of Opera stage show.
  • As the summer holidays kick in, we’ve now exceeded our 100+ ABC of Opera workshops and ‘Sing me a Story’ workshops for pre-school and KS1-3.
  • We have been awarded an author grant by the Welsh Books Council and a marketing grant too, via our publishers, Graffeg Ltd.
  • In the next weeks/months after Mark H negotiated a book contract with Graffeg obo Mark Llewelyn Evans, a series of our books will now e written and illustrated as we head towards the end of 2018. ‘The Academy of Barmy Composers’ [working title] is also being scripted for a stage show(s) to tie in with the book releases and should be on track for playing at theatres by late 2019, early 2020.

We’ll keep you posted…

by markhendriksen

The Costume Store | ABC of Opera

Yesterday, as The Costume Store in Great Dunmow, Essex was having a stock clearance, Mark H headed off to pick up some items for the ABC of Opera Workshops, and to appear from the magical trunk that accompanies the team to each school.

Run by the charming Tony & Ray, it was an Aladdin’s cave of costumes and all sorts – as they have been providing costumes for major shows, operas, Gilbert & Sullivan etc. for many many years. Although all of the kids love dressing up Mark resisted but did get some amazing pieces, many of which, apart from the obvious costumes, are to enlighten and amuse the children at the workshops.

Corsets, long satin gloves, bloomers trimmed with lace, bowler hats [John Blow], bustles, hoops, crowns, fairy wings, and some that show just how heavy the costumes were, all in all quite a day + one stunning piece that had been designed for the original D’Oyly Carte Opera Company – the list was endless and fascinating…  so look out kids, there’s no escape!