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

Prince’s Trust TEAM programme (16-25 year olds)

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

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…Tte ˆ Tte. 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