"Clockwork makes a good opera because it deals in big idea and events of great significance".
Tony Graham, Artistic Director, Unicorn
"The Clockwork project was a hugely positive experience."
Teacher, Ashmole School
"The project drew on the children’s own ideas and experimented with choices of artistic form. In this way, the project aimed to make the ‘rules’ of language and story, whether written, spoken, sung or played, creative tools at the children’s disposal, just as they are for the novelist, librettist or composer."
Alison Barry, Education & Youth Director, Unicorn
A collaboration with the education departments of the Unicorn Theatre and the Philharmonia Orchestra. Three primary schools, one from each of the London boroughs of Southwark, Tower Hamlets and Lambeth create their own opera ‘The Deadly Deal’, performed at the Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House.
The Unicorn Theatre commissioned playwright David Wood and composer Steve McNeff to adapt award-winning writer Philip Pullman's acclaimed book Clockwork into a new opera for children. Musicians from the Philharmonia Orchestra and Martin Music Scholarship Fund Award Scheme formed the orchestra for the production, which toured nationally before playing at the Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House, in March 2004.
The education project took the form of substantial schools residencies during the spring term 2004, culminating in a performance by 80 children of their own opera – 'The Deadly Deal' - alongside professional musicians and singers on the stage of the Linbury Studio Theatre, at the Royal Opera House.
Their compositions came about through a combination of drama exploration and music workshops over a full week’s residency in each of their schools. The year 5 pupils worked with a team that included a theatre director, composer, two opera singers three orchestral musicians. Following the main residencies, each class had an individual rehearsal day in school before coming together at the Linbury Studio Theatre to rehearse and perform to an audience of fellow pupils, family and distinguished guests, including Simon Hughes MP and Philip Pullman himself.
A full evaluation report written by Dr Cecily O’Neill will be available to download by November 2004.
A hardcopy can be obtained at a cost of £1.00 plus p&p from education@unicorntheatre.com
The project was funded by:
Pool of London Partnership on behalf of the London Development Agency
Foyle Foundation
D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
Help a London Child