Blood of a Poet (Le sang d’un poète)

music for Jean Cocteau’s 1932 surrealist classic film

For four players:
ob, b cl, vln, perc (marimba, bongos)

Duration: 50 minutes

Jean Cocteau’s Le sang d’un poète (Blood of a Poet) (1932) explores the technical capabilities of film to magically transcend time, to capture creativity and to suspend physical laws. One of the true classics of the cinema and a key work of Surrealism, Cocteau’s first film is an aesthetic tour de force consisting of a series of episodes and imaginary events. The strange and disturbing images and trick photography represent Cocteau’s unique view of “the poet’s inner self”. Cocteau’s combination of visual poetry and theatrical camp makes this a rich, fascinating and enigmatic film.

For the film: Jean Cocteau (Director); Georges Périnal (Cinematography); Jean d’Eaubonne (Production Design); Coco Chanel (Costume Design)

Film cast: Enrique Rivero (Poet); Lee Miller (Statue); Féral Benga (Black Angel); Jean Desbordes (Luois XV Friend); Barbette (A Spectator)

First performance at Chapter Cinema, Cardiff on 28 October 2006
with Nick Williams (oboe), Alison Lambert (bass clarinet), Aibhe Smythe (violin), Hugh Wilkinson (percussion)

Further information, videos and photos here

Video

Press

Performances

29.10.06	CARDIFF	Chapter Arts Centre
01.11.06	CRANBROOK	Queens Hall
03.11.96	AMMANFORD	Miners Theatre
04.11.06	LEICESTER	Phoenix Arts
05.11.06	NORWICH	Arts Centre
07.11.06	LLANTWIT MAJOR	St Donats Arts Centre
09.11.06	ABERYSTWYTH	National Library of Wales
10.11.06	HOLYHEAD	Ucheldre Centre
15.11.06	PORTSMOUTH	New Theatre Royal
16.11.06	SWANSEA	Dylan Thomas Centre
17.11.06	MOLD	Clwyd Theatr Cymru
18.11.06	SHEFFIELD	Showroom
19.11.06	BASINGSTOKE	Central Studio
02.12.06	LONDON	Barbican Cinema