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www.dereknisbet.info :: latest :: archive :: about :: contact |
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The Mill (Ockham's Razor)
Where: UK Tour
When: Sept - Dec 2010
A new production by aerial theatre creators Ockham's Razor premiered in Jan 2010 at the Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House as part of the London International Mime Festival. Directed by Toby Sedgwick, Music by Derek Nisbet, featuring cellist Matt Sharp. Produced by Turtle Key Arts.
"Derek Nisbet's haunting musical composition perfectly complimented the action" The British Theatre Guide
10.09.2010 New Wolsey, Ipswich 01473 295 900
11/12.09.2010 Brighton Corn Exchange 01273 709 709
16.09.2010 Everyman Cheltenham 01242 572 573
22.09.2010 Harlow Playhouse 01279 431 945
24/25.09.2010 Circomedia, Bristol 0117 924 7615
01.10.2010 Stratford Circus, London 020 8279 1015
08/09.09.2010 Playbox Theatre, Warwick 024 7652 4524
15/16.10.2010 Lighthouse Poole 0844 406 8666
20.10.2010 Aberystwyth Arts Centre 01970 623 232
22.10.2010 Newbury Corn Exchange 01635 522 733
30.10.2010 Carriageworks Leeds 0113 224 3801
02.11.2010 Malvern Theatre 01684 892 277
04/05/06.11.2010 Dance City Newcastle 0191 261 0505
10.11.2010 Castle Wellingborough 01933 270 007
12/13.11.2010 Nuffield Lancaster 0152 594 151
17.11.2010 The Lawrence Batley, Huddersfield 01484 430 528
20.11.2010 York Theatre Royal 01904 623 568
27.11.2010 De Spil, Belgium
01.12.2010 Artsdepot, London 020 8369 5454
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WE LOVE YOU CITY (Belgrade Theatre/Talking Birds)
Where: Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
When: 25 Sept - 16 Oct 2010
It’s 3pm on 16 May 1987 and the streets of Coventry are deserted. But not for long…
Against all odds and expectations on that fateful day, Coventry City FC achieved the ultimate goal – they won the FA Cup. The streets were soon awash with a sea of sky blue as the people of Coventry became united in victory.
Relive the atmosphere and emotion surrounding that legendary game in We Love You City, a true story of triumph over adversity.
Eleven players take centre stage to recreate the events of the match and tell the inspiring and life changing stories that were taking place in and around the city during those nail-biting 90 minutes - plus a bit of extra time!
Box Office: 024 7655 3055
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Space Odyssey - An Intergalactic Opera (Orchestra of the Swan/Talking Birds)
Where: Stratford Civic Space Station...
When: 23rd April (4.30pm) & 24th April (4pm) 2010
The war is won, and on a distant planet somewhere in the
solar system, Captain Odysseus sets course for home.
Will he make it? Will his crew want to stop off for burgers on
Planet Siren? Will they get eaten by the space beast Scyllar?
More to the point, will his wife in mission control keep his tea
warm for twenty years?
All these questions and more are answered in a brand new intergalactic opera made by Orchestra of the Swan and Talking Birds Theatre Company in collaboration with Welcombe Hills, Thomas Jolyffe and Wilmcote Schools. Featuring hundreds of singers, thousands of notes, and millions of stars, Space Odyssey is an epic journey from one side of the galaxy to the other, at light speed, and with the universe’s best sound system.
REVIEW: Space Odyssey, at Stratford-upon-Avon Civic Hall
Birmigham Post
Apr 30 2010 By Christopher Morley
There was an uncanny topicality about Friday afternoon’s astonishing adventure about travellers stranded in remote parts desperate to get home.
But even without that added frisson, Space Odyssey – an Intergalactic Opera had so much to make the neck-hairs tingle, and not only for the huge involvement of pupils from three Stratford schools: Thomas Jolyffe, Wilmcote (primaries), and Welcombe Hills School (a specialist arts college for children with special needs).
The Orchestra of the Swan has for many years undertaken outreach work at Welcombe Hills, and its conductor, David Curtis, had the idea to bring the three schools together in this new opera. The theatrical side was looked after by the imaginative and enterprising Talking Birds company from Coventry.
And the result was stunning. A packed arena-style audience was enthralled as Odysseus and his crew made the ten-year journey home after victory on the planet Troy, the children sang and acted with immense professionalism, and the adult professionals, headed by Matthew Sharp, Georgia Ginsberg, and David Bradley (narrator and particularly nasty baddie), performed with a commitment totally respectful of their young colleagues.
Curtis conducted his willing orchestra with verve in Derek Nisbet’s communicative score, Nick Walker’s script was a model of wit and directness, and vocal coach Rebecca Ledgard drew every ounce of pathos and glee from these amazing children.
Rating: 5/5
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Forever In Your Debt (Talking Birds/Foursight Theatre)
Where: National Tour
When: Spring 2010
Forever in Your Debt tells of Vera, a lonely but idealistic office cleaner who can’t bear that her beloved skyscraper has such a miserable reputation. It’s the highest in the town, and from its unhappy edges those suffering financial despair live out their last moments as they teeter on the brink. Vera has cleaned up the mess too many times and so when an entire family appear at the top it’s all too much to bear. She has to stop them; and perhaps a band and a rooftop concert will put their sorry stories into perspective. Featuring a live band and original music to help take us on the journey, Forever in Your Debt is what happens when grief, loss and debt are given musical instruments and asked to sing. This disparate, musical gang of recession renegades might not be able to pay the bill but they can still top it. Even as the bailiff repossesses their instruments, they’ll play to the last note, sing for their supper and if anyone has a penny to keep the lights on, put it in the meter.
A co-production with Warwick Arts Centre and The Courtyard - Herefordshire's Centre For The Arts.
Tour Dates:
12-13 February
The Courtyard, Herefordshire’s Centre for the Arts 01432 340 555
23 & 24 February
Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton 01902 321 321
2 & 3 March
Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry 024 7652 4524
4 March
Oxford Playhouse 01865 305 305
9 March
Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal
01539 725 133
16 & 17 March
New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich 01473 295 900
19 March
Theatre Royal Margate 0845 130 1786
24 March
The Civic, Barnsley 0845 180 0363
25-27 March
Jacksons Lane, London 020 83414421
30 March
Weymouth College Theatre 01305 208 702
31 March
New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth 0239 264 9000
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Intimate History
Where: The Cultch, Micro-Theatre Series, Vancouver, Canada
When: 1 - 6 Feb 2010
You choose from a menu of six shows and Jake Oldershaw (voice) and Derek Nisbet (piano) perform it for you and you alone. Co-written with Craig Stephens, this show has recently been heard as Dr Pfeffer's Lonely Hearts Club on BBC Radio 4 and has been performed at the Edinburgh Fringe as part of the British Council's International showcase, at Battersea Arts Centre, Birmingham Rep Theatre and Lichfield Festival. At Wawick Arts Centre as part of Bite Size and at Kinsale Arts Week 2008 the show was performed in its new "cabaret" format with live band.
Most recently performed in Moscow as part of the New European Theatre Festival, at the former house (now a museum) of Moscow actress Maria Ermolova (1853-1928).
'A delightful nugget of theatrical waywardness and invention.' The Guardian
'One of the strangest, most intimate productions you are ever likely to witness.' The Stage
'Having originated in Birmingham, the universal appeal to human relationships that Intimate Histories taps into has become, deservedly, an internationally applauded attraction.' Irish Times
To Be King, recorded by BBC Radio 4, performed by Jake Oldershaw (voice), Derek Nisbet (piano) and Matt Sharp ('cello)
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The Corner Shop (Foursight Theatre/Black Country Touring)
Where: Wolverhampton
When: 23rd October - 8th November 2009
Re-staging of performance premiered autumn 2008, inspired by real-life stories from the world of the corner shop. Music co-composed by Sheema Mukherjee and Derek Nisbet.
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One Voice
Where: Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry
When: Saturday 24th Jan 2009
One Voice is a piece for three choirs, soloists, accordion and narrator, commissioned for Holocaust Memorial Day 2009. Holocaust Memorial Day is the international day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust and of other genocides, and Coventry was the host city in 2009 for the national commemorative event in the UK, held at the Belgrade Theatre on 25th January, where One Voice was performed following the premiere at the Herbert Art Gallery.
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ARC (Ockham's Razor)
Where: UK & Belgium
When: Sept - Nov 2008
ARC is an aerial dance performance by Ockham's Razor with music by Derek Nisbet that tells the story of three people set adrift on a raft. Suspended in the air their raft is too small to support them all - someone has to go. Premiered at the Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House, London as Part of the London International Mime Festival, Jan 2007 and toured extensively in 2008. Produced by Turtle Key Arts.
"Derek Nisbet's evocative, elemental sound score" (The Times)
27th September Gemeente Overpelt, Belgium
30th September Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham
1st & 2nd October The Nuffield Theatre, Southampton
10th October Playbox Theatre, Warwick
27th October Mumford Theatre, Cambridge
28th October Castle Theatre, Wellingborough
29th & 30th Oct The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
6th & 7th November Stratford Circus, London
26th November Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
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The Whale (Talking Birds)
Where: National Theatre and across the UK/Ireland
When: 2006-2008
The Whale is a 3 minute multi sensory experience for one audience member at a time. Music/sound design by Derek Nisbet.
Originally commissioned by the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. Performances in 2007/8 have included the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, Dartmouth Regatta, Artsfest Birmingham, a tour of Ireland, the opening of The Public gallery in West Bromwich, the Larmer Tree Festival and the National Theatre's Watch This Space festival.
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Trevor Goose and his Dark Night of Lights (Talking Birds)
Where: Nuffield Theatre, Lancaster & Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
When: Lancacster: 8-9 December; WAC: 12-14 & 19-21 Dec 2008
IS IT A GIG? IS IT A PANTO? IS IT A MISJUDGED DANISH CABARET?
Trevor Goose and His Dark Night of Lights attempts to tell the bleak, yet moving, tale of The Little Match Girl, but internal difficulties with the band - Hans Christian and the Andersons – as well as with a Danish tourism officer and a missing celebrity mean the evening soon turns into the painfully amusing spectacle of a cabaret coming face to face with it’s own dark failings. Ideal for those who want their festive entertainment skewed and a little bit heartbreaking.
Premiered at Taylor John's House, Coventry, December 2007.
THE BAND...
Piano and musical direction – Derek Nisbet
Bass clarinet – Kate Luxmoore
Accordion – Karen Street
Percussion – Matt Green
Sound – Jonathan Blackford
Music composed and arranged by Derek Nisbet
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The Balloonists
Where: BBC Radio 4
When: Sat 16th August 2008
Afternoon play by Craig Stephens recounting the story of Henry Coxwell, a once infamous Victorian balloonist who convinces beleaguered theatre impresario George Hansum to stage his most celebrated and near fatal balloon flight. Incidental music by Derek Nisbet.
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The Last Heroes
Where: Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, UK
When: 9-12 April 2008
A collaboration with the Belgrade Theatre's Community Department,
performed by the Belgrade's Senior Youth Theatre groups, The Last
Heroes is a fast-paced thriller scripted, designed and scored by
Talking Birds for the Belgrade's new B2 auditorium. Composer/sound designer Derek Nisbet.
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Dr Pfeffer's Lonely Hearts Club
Where: BBC Radio 4
When: 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd April 2008, 11.15pm
A series of late night musical encounters with the mysterious practitioner Dr Pfeffer. By Jake Oldershaw (Dr Pfeffer) and Craig Stephens, music by Derek Nisbet (piano/MD). Produced and directed by Kate Chapman, featuring Simon Munnery as the MC; Karen Street (accordion), Matt Green (percussion) and Matthew Sharp (cello).
First broadcast in 2007, Radio Choice - The Observer
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Messages to a Submariner
Where: BBC Radio 4
When: Tues 13th November 2007, 2.15pm
An afternoon play by Nick Walker with music by Derek Nisbet. The wife of a submariner can only communicate with her husband at sea via 40 word messages. As a crisis aboard the submarine Uylesses unfolds, the drama is reflected by events on dry land...
Featuring accordion performed by Karen Street and songs performed by Deborah McAndrew.
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Changing Lives
Where: Warwick Arts Centre and UK tour
When: October 2007
A theatre show made from poetry, with sound design and
projections by Derek Nisbet. Produced by Jonathan Davidson in
association with Warwick Arts Centre and Bloodaxe Books.
Performances on Thurs 4th October at Warwick Arts Centre Studio at 1pm and 7.45pm
Then on tour:
6 Oct - Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton
10 Oct - Swindon Arts Centre
11 Oct - Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead
12 Oct - Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury
18 Oct - Darlington Arts Centre
23 Oct - The Electric Cinema, Guildford Literature Festival
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Music at Taylor John's House
Where: Taylor John's House, Canal Basin, Coventry
When: Thurs 4th Oct 2007
Derek Nisbet performed piano music from the Talking Birds catalogue and songs with Jake Oldershaw from Intimate History, fresh from its
Edinburgh festival run.
They supported virtuoso lutenist Jozef van Wissem.
Here is a live extract from the set - The Mayor of Strasbourg from Intimate History, inspired by Theodore Zeldin's An Intimate History of Humanity.
TAYLOR JOHN'S HOUSE NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT - visit the venue website to find out how you can help secure the future of this excellent live venue, occupying former coal vaults in Coventry Canal Basin.
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Don't Push Me (Blue Eyed Soul Dance Co)
Where: UK/Taiwan
When: April-June 2007
A triple bill of dance and aerial work, featuring two pieces - Touch Don't Touch and Catch - directed by Jess Curtis (Gravity) with soundtracks by Derek Nisbet.
Tour dates:
17th April Theatr Brycheniog, Brecon 01874 611622
19th April Atrix, Bromsgrove 01527 572739
27th April Croydon Clocktower 0208 2531030
3rd May Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury 01635 244246
9th May Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton 01902 321321
10th May The Music Hall, Shrewsbury 01743 281 281
12th May Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham 01476 406 158
15th May Albany, Deptford, London 0208 692 4446
19th May mac, Birmingham 0121 4403838
22nd May Darlington Arts Centre 01325 486555
24th May The Junction, Cambridge 01223 511511
28th-30th Avant-Garde Theatre, Taiwan
7th June Jersey Arts Centre 01534 700444
9th June Hextable Dance, Swanley 01322 618618
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| Touch Don't Touch in rehearsal |
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| :: Music :: |
Catch.mp3
[Play]
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| :: Credits :: |
| Catch clip features voices of Rachel Freeman, Claire Cunningham, Charlotte Mooney and Kate Mason. |
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| :: Links :: |
| Blue Eyed Soul Dance Co |
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Echoes of Footfalls
Where: Ludlow Library Gallery
When: 23rd June - 7th July 2007
Derek Nisbet has composed the sound-score for this collaboration between Blue Eyed Soul Dance Co and film-maker John Humphreys.
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| A still from Echoes of Footfalls |
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The Midland Radio Orchestra
Where: Coventry Retail Market
When: June 2007
During June of 2007, Derek Nisbet created The Midland Radio Orchestra while artist in residence at Coventry Retail Market. An ensemble of 12 transistor radios, each with its own voice, and each with its own story to tell.
The MRO is now available for performances in 2008, click on the contact button for further details.
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| Members of the MRO photographed by Alan van Wijgerden |
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Market Forces
Where: Coventry Retail Market, stall 44/80
When: Until 23rd June 2007
Derek is currently one of Talking Birds' artists in residence at Coventry Retail Market. He is creating the Midland Radio Orchestra using radios collected at this, Europe's only circular market.
The orchestra will debut during Architecture Week (18-23 June), come to the stall to tune in.
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The Last Lot
Where: Kilkenny Mart, Ireland
When: 19th May 2007
Talking Birds presents a powerful theatrical spectacle to mark the last time the auctioneer's hammer comes down at Kilkenny Mart.
Featuring music by Derek Nisbet performed by choir, brass ensemble and pipers from Kilkenny.
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Into the Ice (new recording)
Where: Warwick Arts Centre
When: December 2006
This is a new recording of a piano piece from Talking Birds show Smoke, Mirrors and the Art of Escapology (1998). Recorded at Warwick Arts Centre, with thanks to Howard Potts.
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| Claire Kirkby and friend in Smoke and Mirrors, photo Janet Vaughan |
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| :: Music :: |
Into_the_Ice.mp3
[Play]
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25/7 (Talking Birds)
Where: Priory Place, Coventry
When: May 2006
Dudley Holt, anchor man of the 25/7 news corporation, becomes too embedded for comfort in Talking Birds' acclaimed theatre show.
Music performed by the 25/7 ensemble:
Derek Nisbet (composer/piano/MD)
Erica Newton (cello)
Matt Green (percussion)
with the voice of Dudley Holt....
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See-saw
Where: UK, Sweden
When: 2000-
See-saw is a music-dance cycle created by Lisa Torun and Derek Nisbet, evolved from an idea hatched at the Composer's and Choreographer's Exchange at the South bank Centre, London in 2000. Performed by three dancers and three (moving) musicians, it has been performed at venues in the UK and Sweden, most recently at the Malmö Palladium in 2005.
Studio recording made in 2003, performed by Alison Dods (violin), David Lasserson (viola) and Matthew Sharp (cello), as heard on BBC Radio 3's Late Junction - CD available. Click on play to hear the third movement (Trio).
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