More Arts at Dartington...
Dartington as you have never seen it… and will never see it again
Article date: Friday September 05 2008
On 14 and 15 of August Dartington Hall played host to the English premiere of Apparitions, a late night music and theatre event set in the buildings and grounds of the 12th century medieval estate, starring a cast of 85 professional and amateur musicians and actors and featuring a 2000 year old Celtic war horn known as a Carnyx, a chorus, and a devil on horseback.
Apparitions was a performance of eerie brilliance and musical and visual splendour that will be remembered as one of the most creative events in Dartington’s recent past.
The 2-night music and visual performance was composed and directed by internationally renowned Stephen Montague – and made visually spectacular by costume and mask maker Alex Julyan, video and art installation designer Kathy Hinde and lighting designer James Loudon.
Unfortunately only limited tickets were available for this unique performance, so for those of you that couldn’t make it, here is a snapshot of the performance… (NB. for actual photos of the event, follow the link at the bottom of this page!)
Work began on Apparitions over a year ago, when Stephen Montague was commissioned to make a site-specific performance piece that would utilise the interior and exterior spaces at Dartington in a unique and courageous manner. The piece was designed to blur the boundaries between spectator and performer, while always keeping the audience just outside their normal comfort zone.
To be in the audience was to be part of the performance, as you were led on a 2 hour processional journey by masked guides, through numerous candle and torch lit locations, all transformed by technically astounding installations and lighting displays. Professional and amateur musicians stalked the corridors and grounds side-bu-side, playing haunting compositions, while ghostly apparitions flitted across medieval rooms, scrawled on walls and dancing on the terraces of the green floodlit tilt yard.
To listen to a Guardian podcast covering the event please click here to visit the Guardian’s website
The decidedly spooky score was specifically designed to be performed after 10pm – when audience expectations are altered and imaginations are more malleable. The music acted as the glue – linking together all the set pieces and interweaving stories.
Although it took 12 months to compose and create Apparitions, the rehearsal process started just four days before the first public event – which was only made possible due to the enthusiasm of participants and performers from the Dartington International Summer School, actors from the Central School of Speech and Drama in London – and some very hardworking Dartington staff.
Gavin Henderson, Artistic Director of Dartington International Summer School said, “Where else could you imagine encountering a demon on a rearing horse, a 40 strong choir, a tail-coated Paganini figure, the lonely wail of a 2000 year old Celtic war horn, and a ghostly grey lady based on actual local myth? This could only happen at the Summer School!”
Apparitions was commissioned by the Transatlantic Arts Consortium and supported by Scottish Arts Council, the PRS Foundation and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation to take place in at the Mendelssohn on Mull festival on the Isle of Mull in July 2008 and the Dartington International Summer School in August 2008.
Chief Executive of The Dartington Hall Trust Vaughan Lindsay said, “Dartington has always been a place of inspiration but Apparitions was one of the most ambitious projects we have ever taken on. I am hugely delighted with the success of this project, not just in terms of artistic skill, but also because ‘Apparitions’ placed international stars alongside Grade 1 beginners – creating an inspirational experience that a young musician on the cusp of a creative career – will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Dartington Photographer of the Year Alice Carfrae, photographer Kate Mount and Apparitions lighting designer James Loudon were able to take a wonderful photographic record of the event – so those who did not get a chance to see the show can still get some idea of the magic that took place… A selection of these photos are currently available to view on the Western Morning News website
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Dartington International Summer School is a department of the Dartington Hall Trust, registered in England as a charity and a company limited by guarantee. Charity No. 279756 Company No.1485560 VAT No. 402196875 Registered Office: The Elmhirst Centre, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6EL