Strayed Sequins (1978)
A music theatre spectacle
actor, ob, tpt, tbn, vln, pno, perc and tape
Duration: c. 25 minutes
The title is taken from a book on French writer Jean Genet by Richard N Coe where he discusses Genet’s use of mirror symbolism in the pursuit of the Absolute through descent and abjection: “He who falls far enough and fast enough – even if he starts from an aeroplane and finishes up crashing through the glass roof of a prison – still carries remnants of stars caught up in his clothing, like stray sequins on the tights of a falling trapeze artist.”
First performed by the New Arts Consort at Sherman Arena Theatre, Cardiff on 14 June 1978
with Caroline Lamb (actor), Caroline Lynch-Blosse (oboe), Huw James (trumpet), John Mills (trombone), Mark Thomas (violin), Kelvin Leslie (piano), Peter Cobb (percussion)
Images
Performances
| 14.06.78 | CARDIFF | Sherman Theatre, Arena |
| 30.08.78 | CARDIFF | Chapter Arts Centre |
| 02.09.78 | BUILTH WELLS | Wyeside Arts Centre |
| 11.04.80 | CARDIFF | Chapter Arts Centre |
| 12.04.80 | CARDIFF | Chapter Arts Centre |
| 16.04.80 | HARLECH | Theatr Ardudwy |
| 17.04.80 | BUILTH WELLS | Wyeside Arts Centre |
Press
“Barber is a composer with considerable dramatic flair: his quasi-religious dance sequence Strayed Sequins is both powerful and disturbing”
Mark Norris, Classical Music, May 1980
“Barber’s Strayed Sequins takes its title from Genet and is a piece of music theatre for sextet, tape and conductor in three movements…This is a powerfully emotive piece of work, showing the influence of Lindsay Kemp on the dance role of the conductor, choreographed and beautifully danced by Caroline Lamb.”
Philip Needham, Audience magazine, July 1978
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Charlie Barber 