So 2019 was my quiet year (honestly it was) so to prove that point I thought I’d go for all-out ‘disgustingly over-achieving’ levels of busyness in 2020 and open three shows in the space of 2 weeks. It was pretty full on and I did then spend the next 10 days ill in bed with a chest infection. But they were three beautiful shows and I’m really proud of all of them.
Firstly ‘Madam Butterfly’ – such a joy to come back to the wonderful world of opera after a bit of a break – and this was my own new English language adaptation (with a new orchestration from the wonder that is Ruth Chan) as well as my production as director. Then a showcase performance of my new musical ‘Cold Front’ with composer Jason Carr, starring the exquisite Anna Francolini at Paul Taylor Mill’s MT Fest 2020 at The Turbine Theatre. And last, but by no means least, another little storytelling concert for Aurora Orchestra – ‘Chopin and The Dragonfly that Brings Spring.’
And if that wasn’t enough – I even found time to finish a first draft of my climate crisis musical ‘HouseFire’ with composer Ben Toth, and record a table-read that will be aired on Radio Four’s Front Row. They’re following the progress of the musical from ‘first song’ to UK premiere which is going to be much sooner than we all thought (Ooh mystery, when’s it gonna be Poppy, tell us, tell us!!!) so watch this space for more on all of that…
Butterfly was so beautiful – it needs all the photos. But Cold Front and Dragonfly had their moments too…
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