"Mussorgsky's 'Pictures at an Exhibition'"
Castlefield, Manchester
2000
In Castelfield Arena as part of the Manchester Festival.
What do brilliant music, a giant egg, 3 trucks and a fire sculpture have in common?
They are all part of an incredible 2 year journey of discovery by award winning Feelgood Theatre Productions. A fusion of classical music, drama, spectacle, opera, dance and pyrotechnics a 5 star theatrical adventure.
This most famous piece of music was played in its original form by rising star Jonathan Scott on a grand piano in the middle of Castlefield Arena as the ‘pictures’ dramatically came to life around him.
The ‘Dance of the Unhatched Chicks’ burst into life as 30 local children performed a choreographed piece and as the piece climaxed the ‘Great Gates of Kiev’ lit the night sky in a replicated fire sculpture.
Russian composer Modest Petrovich Musorgsky wrote ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ in 1874 to depict 10 paintings and designs by his friend, the artist Viktor Hartman. Deeply moved by his sudden death he wrote the composition for piano depicting himself as he strolled through a memorial exhibition. Using styles and influences from around the world (it has been called the first piece of world music) Musorgsky created a musical narrative for each picture.
Cast:
Jonathan Scott (Pianist as Mussorgsky), Robert Maxfield (Victor Hartman), Richard Eton (Man), Tricia Rodgers, Denise Olabarria and Susan Hafeez (Maids) Graham Sandman and Ken Bowen (Farmer).
Production Team:
Caroline Clegg (Producer/Director), Allison Clarke (Designer), ‘Walk the Plank’ (Pyrotechnics), ‘White Light’ (Lighting), Melvyn Coote (Sound), Elaine Needham (Wardrobe), Mike Smith (Egg Build), Alan Oatey (Festival Director), China Melody Ensemble, Opanka - Eastern European Dance Ensemble.
What the press said...
“...the Feelgood factor is guaranteed to keep you on your toes with this all encompassing dramatisation which saw classical music blending with 18 foot lorries, giant chick disgorging eggs and fireworks that soared with the musical climax… if this is just the pilot project I am booking my ticket now for the full spectacular… Feelgood Theatre Productions really are the city’s dramatic innovators...” - The Manchester Evening News
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