Join us for a special lunchtime narrated concert as A Christmas Carol is brought to life through words and music by Leora Cohen on violin, Paul Wingfield on piano and narrator Sophie Max. This spell-binding performance combines story and music in a unique way.
A Christmas Carol: a musical drama (‘melodrama’) for narrator, violin and piano
Charles Dickens’ beloved Ghost story of Christmas is recreated as a musical drama, in which the narrative is spoken to the accompaniment of music for violin and piano. This genre, called ‘melodrama’ in the nineteenth century, was immensely popular throughout Europe when Dickens was alive. The show, lasting about seventy minutes, has a script abridged from the original 1843 novella and a score by Paul Wingfield, composer of the hugely successful melodrama Einstein’s Violin, which tells the story of the great scientist’s life as a musician.
The score incorporates references to Victorian Christmas music and is immersed in Dickens’ own musical world: Dickens was a great devotee of nineteenth-century supernatural operas, of which his particular favourite was Gounod’s Faust. This vibrant re-imagining of Dickens’ novella thus both transports to the listener to the author’s own cultural surroundings and provides an original perspective on a timeless literary classic.
Performers:
Leora Cohen (violin)
Leora Cohen, alumna of Channing School, Cambridge University and the Royal College of Music, enjoys a diverse career as a recitalist, soloist, and ensemble musician around the world. Having led concerts in major halls globally, and concert series such as the BBC Proms, she now plays as a regular soloist with professional orchestras as well as recitals across the UK and Germany.
Paul Wingfield (piano)
Paul Wingfield was trained at Chetham's School of Music, where he studied the oboe, piano and composition. After an active performing career, Paul pursued a career as an academic at Trinity College, Cambridge where he is the Director of Studies in Music and Secretary of the Council. He has come out of semi-retirement as a musician to accompany Leora Cohen as part of a duo giving concerts around the UK.
Sophie Max (narrator)
Sophie Max is a British-Austrian actor and writer who trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Screen includes: We Were The Lucky Ones (Hulu/Disney+), Silent Witness (BBC) and The Whole Truth. Stage includes: Jessica in The Merchant of Venice, Phebe in As You Like It (New York), Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream (off-Broadway) and Michelle in Nowhere Man (off-Broadway, originated role). As a screenwriter, Sophie is developing a variety of original television and film projects. As a playwright: her debut play, Til It Stops, was Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Playwriting & RSC’s 37 Plays Project and Shortlisted for Bold Playwrights; Banned was part of a showcase of new women writers at the Bush Theatre and subsequently premiered at the Hope Theatre. She is a participant of the Royal Court Writers’ Group. Sophie is represented as an actor by the Narrow Road Company and as a screenwriter by Casarotto Ramsay & Associates.
Reviews
“It was a lovely evening... engagingly presented and put together with a real sense of creative partnership between the performers. It kept everyone’s attention throughout and as they left the audience had clearly really enjoyed it.” Katherine Ives, Director of Lauderdale House, London
“It was absolutely delightful. The costumes, the dazzling performances, the stunning originality of the whole idea. I've never before been present at any performance of anything where the entire audience smiled the whole way through.” Vivienne Brown, audience
“What a wonderful way to spend a summer evening. The charming trio totally looked the part and played their roles with conviction, humour and great musicality. I almost felt as if I were in Mrs Bennett’s drawing room, spellbound by those familiar words and captivated by the superb musical performances” Mary Blackman, audience
“It is a charming programme - a perfect evening’s entertainment” Andrew McRobb, costume designer
“The three performers...each with impressive bios, were certainly in possession of talent and didn’t want for a more appreciative audience. A delight from start to finish. Sophie Max beautifully narrating Gill Hornby’s abridged version of the original text... accompanied by Leora and Paul expertly playing Carl Davis’ score on violin and piano respectively. An inspired coming together of the performing arts. The Regency costumes and mini-staging... were an extra bonus” Shelley-Anne Salisbury, review in the ‘Suburb News’
Concert Only: £18 (Standard)
Christmas Concert Lunch: £16 per person
Special 2-course lunch served at 11:30 am or 2 pm. Capacity is limited.
We appreciate your pre-payment for lunch so we can manage the capacity accordingly.