The Strangest of Angels
THE STRANGEST OF ANGELS
A poignant and imaginative reflection on events during Janet Frame’s time at Seacliff Mental Hospital, The Strangest of Angels is a harrowing and hopeful experience that throws light on mental health then and now.
Born of an exciting and conscious collaboration between composer and performers that explores the contrast between a calm, rational person contained at Seacliff Asylum and a traumatised nurse torn between empathy and the relative power of institutional duty.
“Eleanor Bishop’s sure direction and the simple, eloquent design and lighting by Rachel Marlow and Bradley Gledhill brought the audience a profoundly thought-provoking operatic statement.”
CREATIVE TEAM
“As I leave the theatre, I feel privileged to have witnessed the birth of this newest New Zealand opera, which features many moments to savour and even more for us to think about.”
Composer: Kenneth Young (with Anna Leese)
Libretto: Georgia Jamieson Emms
Commissioned by: Anna Leese
Conductor: Kenneth Young
Director: Eleanor Bishop
Performers: Anna Leese & Jayne Tankersley
With the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra
Production Design: Rachel Marlow & Bradley Gledhill for Filament Eleven 11
Costume Design: Nic Smillie
Presented by NZ Opera
PRESENTATIONS
27 - 28 May 2022, The Piano, Christchurch with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra
12 - 13 October 2022, Mayfair Theatre, Dunedin with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra & Dunedin Arts Festival