Odysseus Unwound (2006)
October
10, 12, 13, 15, 16 Alexandra Palace, in conjunction with the Knitting & Stitching Show, London
The first production to be performed in the then derelict Alexandra Palace Theatre for over 75 years
21&22 Sandness Kulturhus, Stavanger, Norway part of the Launch of Stavanger European Capital of Culture 2008
November
7 Anvil Theatre, Basingstoke
13 Riverside Studios, London
15 Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
21 Unity Theatre, Liverpool
23 Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham
24&25 International Conference Centre in conjunction with the Knitting & Stitching Show,Harrogate
27 Clickimin Centre, Lerwick, Shetland
Intregal to the tour was a programme of workshops:
March
24&25 Fair Isle Primary School
28 Burravoe Primary School, Yell
Cullivoe Primary School, Yell
Skerries Primary School, Out Skerries
29 Mid Yell Junior High, Yell
30 Baltasound Junior High School, Unst
Uyeasound Primary School, Unst
Fetlar Primary School, Fetlar
October
18 Klepp, Fredheimsloftet, Norway (14/15 year olds)
19 Stangeland Skole, Sandnes, Norway (11/12 year olds)
23 Vikeså Skole, Bjerkreim, Norway (10-12 year olds)
31 Marnel Junior School, Baskingstoke
November
3 St Mark’s CE School, Baskingstoke
6 Prince’s Trust TEAM programme (16-25 year olds)
7 St Bede’s RC School
1&8 St Paul’s Girls School, London (GCSE age)
14 Royal Northern College of Music Manchester (Undergrad)
16 Royal Northern College of Music plus St Kentigerns School, Manchester
17 Nottingham Unversity (undergraduates)
20 Unity Theatre, Liverpool (young professionals)
28 Mid-Yell Juniors / Mid-Yell Primary, Yell
29 Mid-Yell Juniors, Fair Isle / Burravoe and Cullivoe Primaries, Yell
30 Baltasound Juniors, Unst (12-14 year olds) / Baltasound, Uyeasound Primaries, Unst, Fetlar Primary, Fetlar
December
1 Fair Isle Primary
11&12 St Paul’s Girls School,London (A-level group)
Join Odysseus on his terrifying journey through mysterious Islands where the Mediterranean meets the North Sea in an extraordinary operatic voyage.
In a unique collaboration between the UK’s most forward-looking opera company and the spinners and knitters of the Shetland Islands, this is a sensual mix weaving the virtuosic crafts of the Shetland knitters with Tête à Tête’s unique style of visual theatre and outstanding musicianship.
This ageless story, shot through with glints of humour, is brought right into the 21st century as the Fates spin the tangled destiny of a savage, damaged and confused warrior returning from a futile conflict between East and West, fought on spurious pretexts…
A Shetland Odyssey – documentary
Odysseus Unwound – feature on The Culture Show
“…we shouldn’t forget tiny operations such as…Tte Tte. With scant resources, they pump fresh blood and energy into a body operatic that often looks sluggish and sclerotic.”
Rupert Christiansen’s round-up of opera, The Daily Telegraph, September, 2004
“Telling a yarn may be one thing, but singing one on stage as part of a modern opera performance featuring real Shetland knitters is something else altogether… Mr Bankes-Jones was told: “Make knitting cool”
Pete Bevington, The Shetland News
Read the independent evaluation of Odysseus Unwound
Download the Odysseus Unwound Programme.
Music: Julian Grant
Libretto: Hattie Naylor
Singers: Daniel Broad, Monica Brett-Crowther, Phyllis Cannan, Sadhbh Dennedy, Louise Mott, Kim-Marie Woodhouse
Knitters and spinners: Elizabeth Johnston, Margaret Milligan, Margaret Peterson, Janice Sawford, Anne Sinclair
Orchestra: Chroma
Music: Julian Grant
Libretto: Hattie Naylor
Singers: Daniel Broad, Monica Brett-Crowther, Phyllis Cannan, Sadhbh Dennedy, Louise Mott, Kim-Marie Woodhouse
Knitters and spinners: Elizabeth Johnston, Margaret Milligan, Margaret Peterson, Janice Sawford, Anne Sinclair
Orchestra: Chroma