7 AIRS
A multi-lingual project commissioned by Ledbury Poetry Festival. A fusion of physical theatre, music, and poetry reflects the 7 ages of man in unrivalled site-specific performance.
About the work
As the notion of Brexit becomes a reality, 7 live site-specific performances reflect on the universality that connects us all. A promenade piece that lasts an entire day, we begin in the infant library and work our way across Ledbury to St Michael’s churchyard. Each venue reflects a separate age and links to a European equivalent, two poets creating one piece, connecting through the air as they breathe in two countries.
An intergenerational community choir joins us for the grand finale on the final night.
“Seminal work. This deserves to be performed everywhere at such a divided time.”
How we made it
Working closely with the courageous Chloe Garner from Ledbury Poetry Festival, we commissioned 14 poets to write pieces responding to the air that they breathed in a specified European location. Poems were written in the poet’s own language then combined with their UK equivalent by our creative director. Download the book of poems.
The ensuing texts were set to music by several composers then performed by a small core cast, supported by children from the local community.
Each site needed extensive tech support and it was affectionately dubbed “The Telly In The Graveyard Show” by the technical team.
Performances
Performances took place at Ledbury Poetry Festival in July 2017.
“Quite extraordinary. What a day. I am transported and speechless.”
Credits
Directors – Estelle van Warmelo and Rachel Lambert
Writers - Ales Steger, Goran Colakhodzic, Nikolina Andova, Lilliana Ursu, Martin Solutruk, Katarzyna Ewa Zdanowicz, Alison Brackenbury, Sara-Jane Arbury, Megan Barker, Jonathan Edwards, Paul Henry
Music – Kim Humphreys, Jenny-May While, Leo More, Karen Curry and Livi van Warmelo
Filmmaker – Rachel Lambert
Cast – Emily Connor, Michael Nelson, Erica Grant, Ben Mowbray, Bob Traynor and Sofia van Warmelo
Production Manager – Alison Palmer
Company Stage Manager – Phil Glenny
Technician – Ben Priest
With Ledbury Community Choir, Feral Community Choir, Leadon Bank and the children of Eastnor Primary School and Ledbury Primary School, Mal Hughes and Sue Hughes