Missing Barry, always, but meanwhile, life goes on…
In the spring term I was asked back to do a couple of workshops at East 15, one for the postgrad actors and one for the postgrad directors. Both went well. The actors worked on the use of the singing voice in improvised situations, and the directors explored Brecht’s use of music and song.
I played for the Buster Keaton silent film Steamboat Bill Jr at the “Club for Acts and Actors” in Covent Garden. A cracking film with brilliant set pieces but also a good overarching narrative. A delight to do, and I had a very receptive audience.
My old English teacher, Chris Lowe, still hale and hearty, is a writer of witty verse, some of which I set to music last year. We sent the results to a couple of choirs who asked if they could add the songs to their repertoires. Following these efforts Chris penned the words of an oratorio – the Primary Schools Oratorio – which I’m currently setting and which will be available for Year 6s in primary schools (and indeed anyone) to use via the Primary Schools Oratorio website, which goes live soon.
Colin Sell 