Grimeborn is an annual East London musical theatre and opera festival which coincides with the world famous East Sussex Glyndebourne Opera Festival. Founded by Arcola Theatre’s artistic director Mehmet Ergen in 2007, the festival is held at Arcola Theatre in Dalston, East London. It takes place in and around August, and is considered a dynamic alternative to the traditional "summer season".
The festival's name is a punning reference to Glyndebourne, as it deliberately supports emerging performers and writers, rather than the polished, prestigious output of Glyndebourne. The "grime" comes from it having a "dirtier" backdrop in a converted textile factory in the congested bustle of Hackney as opposed to the scenic gardens of East Sussex. The festival showcases new and experimental works. Many see Grimeborn as the fashionable alternative to Glyndebourne, due to its E8 location.
Originally devised as a contemporary contribution to the Battersea Arts Centre's (BAC) Opera Festival. The BAC Opera Festival's Artistic Director at the time, Tom Morris, asked Ergen, who was working at the BAC as an Associate Producer, to create something different from normal operatic preconceptions, in a manner similar to that of the Tête à Tête opera company at the Riverside Studios who were also taking the stage at the BAC Opera Festival that year. Grimeborn is an opera and musical theatre festival in its own right, with the Arcola Theatre its exclusive host. The 2010 Grimeborn programme was curated by director and actor Andrew Steggall who also oversaw the festival's first outing in 2007. He considers the festival to be "a testing ground for young opera and musical theatre practitioners".
Curated by Mehmet Ergen and produced by Leyla Nazli (21 August - 8 September)
Il Tabarro. Composer: Giacomo Puccini, Director: Aylin Bozok, Music Director and Pianist: Philip VoldmanThe Sound of a Voice (Presented by Volta Theatre). Composer: Philip Glass, Librettist: David Henry Hwang, Director: Andrea Ferran, Conductor: Tom KellyHansel and Gretel (Presented by Opera at Home). Composer: Engelbert Humperdinck, Librettist: Adelheid Wette, Translator: David Pountey, Director: Jose GandiaBastien & Bastienne. Composer: Mozart, Translator: David Eaton, Director: Nina Brazier, Music Director and Pianist: David EatonSusanna's Secret. Composer: Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari, Translator: David Eaton, Director: Nina Brazier, Music Director and Pianist: David EatonHandel Furioso. Composer: George Frideric Handel, Director: Max Hoehn, Company: Anna Starushkevych, Pobyn Allegra PartonThe Emperor of Atlantis. Composer: Viktor Ullmann, Librettist: Peter Kien, Translator: Sonja Lyndon, Director: Max Hoehn, Conductor: Julian BlackLa Voix Humaine (Presented by Motion Productions). Composer: Francis Poulenc, Librettist: Jean Cocteru, Soprano: Katerina Mina, Pianist: Jean-Yves Cornet, Director: Ilan ReichelTonseisha (Presented by Saltpeter). Composer: Kim B. Aston, Librettist: Erik Patterson, Director: Gary MerryUnleashed (Presented by Fourfortytwo and The Blackburn Company) Composer: Philip Venables, Librettist and Director: Nick BlackburnThe Marriage of Figaro (Presented by Heritage Opera). Composer: Mozart, Translator: Chris Gill, Director: Sarah Helsby HughesRigoletto (Presented by Heritage Opera). Composer: Giuseppe Verdi, Translator and Director: Sarah Helsby HughesThirteen Days - The Musical. Composer and Lyricist: Alexander S. Bermange, Director: Matthew Gould, Musical Arrangements: Paul BatemanThe Emperor of Atlantis. Composer: Viktor Ullmann, Director: Max Hoehn, Musical Director: John MurtonThe Turn of the ScrewThe Diary of One Who Disappeared (Presented by The Opera Ensemble). Director: Selina Cadell, Designer: Guy BurnettAlcina. Composer: Peter Foggit, Directors: Jenny Miller and Polly GrahamThe Boy, the Forest and the Desert. Director: Alexandre Barriere, Designer: Flora RobertsonPrima la Musica/ Der Schauspieldirektor (Double Bill). Director: Jose Gandhia, Assistant Director: Rosemary Lane, Pianist: Ricardo GosalboThe Francis Bacon Opera. Composer: Stephen Crowe, Musical Director and Pianist: Genevieve EllisThe Demon LoverSavitri, Wandering Scholar (Presented by The Little Opera Company). Director: Daisy EvansMansfield Park (World premiere tour presented by Heritage Opera). Composer: Jonathan Dove, Director: Michael McCaffery, Musical Director: Chris GillCurated by Andrew Steggall and produced by Leyla Nazli (9 August – 21 September)
The Prodigal Son (Benjamin Britten) & The Homecoming (Felix Mendelssohn set to the poem by Heinrich Heine). Director: Joe Austin, Musical Director: Elizabeth Burgess, Designer: Simon Kenny, Lighting Design: James Turner-InmanTrouble in Tahiti (Leonard Bernstein). Conductor: Timothy Burke, Director: Nina Brazier, Designer Polly Webb-Wilson, Costume Designer: Giulia ScrimieriSpilt Milk (Burke & Waterfield). Composer/conductor: Timothy Burke, Librettist: James WaterfieldThe Rape of Lucretia (Benjamin Britten). Director: Max Key, Designer: Sarah Bacon, Conductor: Thomas BluntVice (Jools Scott) to a libretto by Sue CurtisThe Raven (Matt Rogers). Director: Sinead O'Neill, Designer: Sarah BaconCrow (Michael Rouston). Director: Mark McInnes and Composer:Poison Garden (D’Heudieres & Evans). Presented by Waistcoat Company. Direction, Design and Libretto: Daisy Evans, Music and Music Direction: Louis d'HeudieresThe Diaries of Adam and Eve (Composer/librettetist David Josiah Moore). Director: Ben GwalchmaiHow I Wonder (Composer/librettetist Dominique Le Gendre). Director: Irene BrownThe Stone Heart (Composed by Alexander Campkin set to a libretto by Lewis Reynolds)Cocteau in the Underworld (Ed Hughes to libretto by Roger Morris) Presented by Heather Doole for Metta Theatre, Director: Poppy Burton-Morgan, Video, Set & Lighting and Designer: William Reynolds, Conductor: Carlos Del CuetoLes Enfants Terribles (Philip Glass). Director: Andrea Ferran, Design: Sarah BaconCurated by Alex Sutton and produced by Leyla Nazli (24 August – 5 September)
The Descent of Inanna: Bare Bones Version, Produced by: Opera ExchangeAn Unorthodox 1-2 Produced by: AurelieRide, Produced by: Filament, Composer: Osnat Schmool, Director: Sabina NethercliftPhedre, Produced by: ElectrOpera, Composers: Sally Rodgers, Steve Jones, Director: Philippe CherbonnierSomething Strange by Rebecca Applin and Michael CainesTo Die A Second Time, Produced by: Double Agent, Director: Teunkie Van Der SluijsThe Tender Land by Aaron Copland, Produced by: Mad Cow Theatre Company, Director: Katherine Hare, Musical Director: Leigh Thompson, Choreographer: Racky PlewsThe Savage (original story David Almond) & The Island (original story Armin Greeder), Composed, written and performed by the Arcola Youth Project under the guidance of Jenifer Toksvig (libretto) and Nick Sutton (music).Disappeared, Produced by: The Theory of Everything, Devised and directed by: Pia Furtado and members of the cast, featuring traditional gypsy music Inspired by and featuring Janáček's song cycle.The Work Of Art by Conor Mitchell and Jenifer ToksvigGoodbye Barcelona, Produced by: Arcola Theatre, Composer: KS Lewkowicz, Playwright: Judith Johnson, Director: Karen RabinowitzWhy Are Clowns?, Produced by: L'Oiseau Chante, Composer: Ewen Moore, Director: Aaron PatersonPresenting... The News, Produced by: Size Zero Music Theatre, Composer & Director: Laura Jayne BowlerDante by Peter Longworth, Director: Holly McBrideThe Wonderful Thing About Lizards by Lucy Smith, Director: Toria BanksAbraham and Isaac, Produced by: Metta Theatre, Composer: Benjamin Britten, Director: Poppy Burton-MorganPig, Greed (Jonathan Dove); Cinderella(Stephen Oliver Produced by: Bitesize Opera, Director: Toria BanksJephtha by Handel, Director: Ralph Bridle, Conductor: Wolfgang KostnerStolen Voices by Neyire Ashworth, Director & Co-devisor: Kath BurlinsonLa Voix Humaine, Produced by: Renée Salewski & Flat Earth Theatre, Composer: Francis Poulenc, Librettist: Jean Cocteau, Director: Robin Norton-HaleA Shropshire Lad, Produced by: Pst! Productions, Cast: Peter Shipman, Director: Jan-Willem van den BoschThe Telephone by Gian Carlo Menotti, Director: Nina Brazier, Designer: Polly Webb-Wilson, Costumes: Giulia ScrimieriThe Singing Bone/Domestic, Produced by: The Stephen Crowe Ensemble, Composer: Stephen Crowe, Directors: Seonaid Goody and Stephen CroweThe Woodcutter's Daughter, Produced by: Eclectic Opera, Composer: Richard Cartmale, Librettist: Buffy Sharpe, Cast: Belinda Evans, Glenn Tweedie, Peter ShipmanSongs Of Alchemy, Produced by: Eclectic Opera, Composer: Kirsten Morrison, Director: Jan-Willem van den BoschGrimethorpe Race Presented by: Shared Property Theatre Company Directors: Lizzie Newman and Rachel Parish, Designer: Lucy Sierra, Scenic Artist: Zoe ParsonsThe Spoils, Produced by: Shady Dolls Theatre Company, Composer: Paul Englishby, Director: Steven DykesMusic Theatre Now - a cabaret evening dedicated to new musical theatre writing. Featured Composers: Conor Mitchell, Adam Guettel, Raymond Yiu, Ricky Ian Gordon, Tim Saward, Matt Print Director: Alex Sutton, Musical Direction: Leigh Thompson, Cast: Clare Burt and the London Show ChoirFigaro - The Loyal Subject, Produced by: Grimeborn Opera, Composers: Mozart, Rossini, Milhaud, Adaptator & Director: Barnaby RayfieldWhy Don't You Just Sing Jazz?, Produced by: Opera in Colour, Writer & Director: Roger Mortimer-Smith, Devised and produced by: Nadine Mortimer-Smith, Musical Direction: Peter CrockfordHothouse, Directed by: Sophie Austin, Musical Direction: Jamie Fagg, Produced by: Kas Darley and Sophie AustinCurated by Daniele Guerra and produced by Michael Harris and Leyla Nazli (4–23 August)
The Old Maid and the Thief - composer/librettist: Gian Carlo Menotti; director: Nina Brazier; conductor: Timothy BurkeA Man of Feeling - composer/librettist: Stephen Oliver; director: Anthony Baker; music director: Tim Henty; soprano: Lisa Wilson; baritone: John Savournin; pianist: James YoungDreamspiel - performed by the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain; composer: George Hincliffe; librettist: Michelle CarterKindertotenlieder (Songs on the Death of Children) - composer: Gustav Mahler; director: Janwillen van den Bosch; pianist: Linda AngThe Elephant's Child - performed by Metta Theatre; composer: Jessica Dannheisser; director: Poppy Burton-MorganThe Nightingale and the Rose - composer/librettist: Jenny Gould; director: Tom MansfieldDesire Caught by the Tail - composer: Joseph Finlay; director: Max Webster; associate director: Rachel GrunwaldGoodbye Barcelona - book: Judith Johnson; music and lyrics: Karl Lewkowicz; director: Mehmet ErgenASH - composer: Rachel Fuller; librettist/director: Jack ShepherdOpera of Surveillance - performed by Conversations with Sound and The Irrepressibles; composer/voice practitioner: Jamie McDermott; sound design: William Turner DuffinMy Feet May Take a Little While (The Errollyn Wallen Songbook) - composer/music director: Errollyn Wallen; director: Daniele GuerraMan with a Movie Camera - based on the score composed by Michael Nyman for the British Film Institute's 2002 release of the silent movie Man with a Movie Camera; director: Nigel LoweryKaspar Hauser - based on the story of Kaspar Hauser; composer: Alexis Pope; librettist/director: Anke Rauthmann; musical director: Philip Headlam; designer: Num StibbePierrot Lunaire - performed by Cornucopia Theatre Company; composer: Arnold Schönberg to poems by Albert Giraud; director: Mark DuncanChoice - performed by Citric Acid ProductionsAstyanax - by Waterfield & BurkeA Little Chamber Music - based on the work by HindemithThe Boy Who Said Yes by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill; musical director: Timothy Burke; director: Alex SuttonThe Girl Who Liked to be Thrown Around - performed by Madestrange Opera; composer: Michael Oliva; text: Michael Oliva and Deepak KalhaThe Bacchae - composer/librettist/musical & artistic director: Alexis Pope; soprano: Tatjana Kiliani; tenor: Emmanuel Fort; bass: Andrew Young; First Bacchae: Sibylla MeienbergStabat Mater - adapted by Buffy Sharpe from Pergolesi's Stabat Mater; performed by Eclectic Opera; director: Poppy Burton-Morgan; soprano: Anna Gregory; countertenor: Peter Shipman; actress: Sarah PaulHoloray Holiday - book and lyrics: Rebecca and Sharon Nassauer; composer: Sharon Nassauer; director: Michael Alvarez; musical director: Candida CaldicotCurated by Andrew Steggall and produced by Michael Harris and Leyla Nazli (19 August- 2 September)
The Crocodile - composed by Llywelyn ap Myrddin.Hey Jack - composed by Sharon Nassauer, Lyrics by Jackson Lee and directed by Loveday Ingram.NosferatuOpera CabaretThe Tales of Hoffmann - based on Offenbach's Les contes d'HoffmannDichterliebe - composed by Robert Schumann to poetry by Heinrich HeineDevils DrumArianna a Naxos - based on Haydn's cantata of the same nameVisions of 7 – conceived and composed by Joanna Foster, performed by 'Anima' with Javier Carmona on percussion.Vice - jazz opera based on The Revenger's Tragedy by Cyril Tourneur. Written by Jools Scott and Sue Curtis. Directed by Sue Curtis.The Universal Will to Self-DestructFlood - composed & written by Kirsten Morrison and Buffy Sharpe. Visuals by Franny Armstrong.Pierre - adapted by composer Richard Beaudoin, conducted by Christopher Ward, directed by Andrew Steggall, and played by Constantine Finehouse. The cast included Joseph Kaiser (Tamino in Kenneth Branagh's film The Magic Flute),PersephoneFountain Sealed - by Nathan Williamson, Thomas Walton and James Methven.