©alculated to death
Canen Productions (suitable for adults only)
Thursday 24 July & Friday 25 July, 2014
Central Saint Martins White Lab
Genesis
Sebastian Laskowski began working on ©ALCULATED TO DEATH in January 2013 (as part of his Masters thesis), fuelled by a want to discuss the political and social implications of the introduction of CETA – which resulted in a political agreement between Canada and the EU, in October 2013. The work is also an expression of Laskowski’s desire to incorporate electronics into chamber settings. In January 2014, he paired up with theatre director Jude Christian, who helped stage the work beyond the 15 minute version createdthe year before (now almost 30 minutes in length); together they formed Canen Productions. Christian selected film producer, Soph Nurse to help devise a technical component, which now includes projections and videography by Mari Shibata. ©ALCULATED TO DEATH aims to present issues surrounding government access to the public’s personal data, many of whom are unaware of the powers available to various authorities.
About
©ALCULATED TO DEATH examines the power our authorities have to monitor personal internet use and communication, in the name of copyrighting and crime-‐fighting. The work comprises a part-‐acoustic, part-‐ electronic score that uses government documents obtained from WikiLeaks – including the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) and the UK Communications Data Bill(UKCDB) – to weigh the infinite possibilities of the internet against its political and human cost. CETA and the implications it may bring regarding the privatization of public entities is a topic that has been discussed on many online forums. The fact that many of CETAs components have been lifted from the Anti-‐Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) – which, amonsgt other things, could allow authorities to access personal emails without warrants – has been flagged as a major concern. The UKCDB addresses topics regarding the access of personal data in a similar way. ©ALCULATED TO DEATH is more an “infomercial” than a narrative in which the cast trades off between voicing the views of the government and those of the general public – the latter lifted from various blogs.
Music: Sebastian Laskowski
Words: verbatim from WikiLeaks, Reddit, Trade Justice Network
Director: Jude Christian
Projections/videography: Mari Shibata
Producer: Soph Nurse
Music Director: Sebastian Laskowski
Soprano: Kirby Anne Hall
Alto: Kimberley Devonshire
Baritone: James Schouten
Bass: Ashley Mercer
Flute: Hayley Porter
Clarinet: Emma Stubbs
Piano: Kat Perdikomati
Viola: Alexis Bennett
Cello: Roxanna Albayati
Electronics: Jon Daou
Music: Sebastian Laskowski
Words: verbatim from WikiLeaks, Reddit, Trade Justice Network
Director: Jude Christian
Projections/videography: Mari Shibata
Producer: Soph Nurse
Music Director: Sebastian Laskowski
Soprano: Kirby Anne Hall
Alto: Kimberley Devonshire
Baritone: James Schouten
Bass: Ashley Mercer
Flute: Hayley Porter
Clarinet: Emma Stubbs
Piano: Kat Perdikomati
Viola: Alexis Bennett
Cello: Roxanna Albayati
Electronics: Jon Daou
Sebastian Laskowski is a composer from Vancouver. He received his formal training at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Simon Fraser University, and Goldsmiths, University of London. He has written music for various ensembles, as well as for film, theatre and contemporary dance. ©ALCULATED TO DEATH is his first opera.
Jude Christian’s recent directing credits include: Pentabus Young Writers Festival, Punk Rock (RADA), I’d rather Goya robbed me of my sleep than some other asshole(Gate Theatre), Sonata Movements (Blue Elephant Theatre) and My Romantic History (English Theatre Berlin). She is Artistic Director of Concert Theatre and a Creative Associate at Gate Theatre.
Mari Shibata is a production journalist currently freelancing at Associated Press Television News. A Cambridge music graduate, she has directed films about austerity rock bands and contortion breakdancers for BFI Southbank. Her UN-‐funded film on Kenyan rape victims will be premiered at We The People’s Film Festival, in November 2014.
Soph Nurse trained at Drama Centre, CSM (and will be producing ©ALCULATED TO DEATH, facilitating a smooth running production process). 2014 work experience includes: Arcola Theatre, The Big House Theatre Company (BABY/LON) and, most recently, Battersea Arts Centre.
Kirby Anne Hall made her operatic debut at the inaugural Castleton Festival in 2009– under the direction of Maestro Lorin Maazel – where her portrayal of Flora in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw drew critics’ attention to her “colourful, secure singing”. Since then, Kirby has enjoyed a varied career in London – performing, most recently, as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah at the Foundling Museum.
Kimberley Devonshire graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London in September 2013, having trained in vocal performance under Nan Christie. Whilst a student at Goldsmiths, she sang Hippolyta in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and joined the BBC Symphony Chorus. Kimberley is currently based in Hertfordshire, where she is balancing teacher training with other singing commitments.
James Schouten is currently studying for an MMus in Performance & Related Studies in Voice with Nan Christie. Having initially been trained as a violinist, James’ experience of music has strong roots in rock and jazz. Recent roles include: Falke Die Fledermaus, Harlekin Ariadne auf Naxos, Angelotti Tosca and Papageno Die Zauberflöte.
Ashley Mercer recently graduated with distinction from the Masters programme at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance – where he was a TCM Trust Scholar and Kathleen Roberts scholar, and was awarded the Paul Simm Opera Prize. Ashley was a Christine Collins Young Artist for Opera Holland Park and isshortly due to make his debut for Wexford Festival Opera.