Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Boulevard of Broken Dreams (2009)

For amplified string quartet: 2 vln, vla, vcl

Music for a ballet choreographed by Jean Abreu

Boulevard of Broken Dreams explores how people meet in unpredictable ways, as well as the tension created between characters in public spaces and how bonds are created and dissolved in the space of a day.

Duration: 80 minutes

First performed by the Mavron Quartet at Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea on 12 February 2009 with Christiana Mavron (violin), Katy Rowe (violin), Benjamin Kaminski (viola), Lucy O’Connor (cello)

CD recording information here

Music + direction: Charlie Barber

Choreography: Jean Abreu

Performers: Mavron Quartet, Jean Abreu, Ming Hei Wong, Christopher Rook, Robbie Synge

Lighting design: Nick Phibbs

Set design: Alan Macdonald

Costumes: Lise Marker

Recording engineer: James Clarke, Ty Cerdd studio

Technical support: Chris Wicks, Lloyd Phillips

Photography: Toby Farrow

Arts management consultant: Judi Hughes

Administration: Helen Beveridge

Marketing & PR: Matt Carwardine-Palmer

Further information, videos and photos here

Images

Video

Performances

12.02.09	SWANSEA	Taliesin
13.02.09	GRANTHAM	Guildhall Arts Centre
14.02.09	SPALDING	South Holland Centre
16.02.09	CAMBRIDGE	The Junction
17.02.09	BROMSGROVE	Artrix
18.02.09	ABERYSTWYTH	Arts Centre
19.02.09	MILFORD HAVEN	Torch Theatre
24.02.09	ORMSKIRK	Rose Theatre
25.02.09	CARDIFF	Sherman Cymru
27 – 28.02.09	LONDON	The Place
04.03.09	SALISBURY	Arts Centre
07.03.09	BATH	University, ICIA
08.03.09	GUILDFORD	International Music Festival
10.03.09	ALSAGER	Arts Centre
11.03.09	MOLD	Clwyd Theatr Cymru
12.03.09	MANCHESTER	Dancehouse Theatre

Press

“Charlie Barber’s music was extraordinarily haunting, barbed, darkly beautiful and at times a little chilling.”
Graham Williams, Swansea Evening Post, 16 February 2009

“The secret of the work’s success, aside from the evident invention of Abreu’s choreography, is the employment of live musicians and the commissioning of a new score from Charlie Barber. There are echoes of Beethoven’s slow movements in parts of his music, which inspire moments of heartening choreographic lyricism, as well as pockets of pelting rhythmic drive that charge the dance up with electric verve. The dancers themselves are tremendous, each attuned to Abreu’s distinctive choreographic manner, and the work itself is a gem.” Ian Palmer, Ballet.co.uk magazine, April 2009

Credits

Produced by Sound Affairs with the financial support of: Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council England, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Colwinston Charitable Trust, The Leche Trust, Marina Kleinwort Charitable Trust, Steel Charitable Trust, Swindon Dance, Taliesin Swansea

Boulevard of Broken Dreams