Stage: Gold Rush
Andrew Kay on a new collaborative work from Glyndebourne’s visionary education department, Carousel and Pallant House Gallery
You may be labouring under the illusion that opera is elitist and that Glyndebourne is at the pinnacle of that elitism. But nothing could be further from the truth. Glyndebourne is not about elitism, it is about excellence and sharing that experience, hence the tour and the schools’ performances. But more so the work of their excellent education department who in recent years have produced the much applauded Knight Crew which was seen in development on TV with screen choirmaster Gareth Malone, and last year’s take on Don Giovanni working with young offenders to produce Johnny Boy, a raw modern work of great intensity?
This year the major project is a collaboration with Carousel and Pallant House Gallery. Founded in 1982, Carousel works to promote the active involvement of people with learning disabilities in the arts, teaching new artistic skills and developing existing talents. The award-winning Pallant House Gallery is home to one of the best Collections of modern British art in the country and is widely recognised for its exemplary learning and community programme which has inclusion at its heart.Together they are making a major new production to be performed by artists with learning disabilities that will premiere on Glyndebourne’s main stage on 1 April 2012.
Gold Run illustrates the power and passion of the Paralympics, articulating the captivating story of the learning-disabled athletes welcomed into the Atlanta Paralympics in 1996, but later banned from competing in the Paralympic Games when the Spanish basketball team fielded non-learning disabled athletes. Gold Run welcomes back into the Paralympic fold the learning-disabled athletes who previously faced a challenging 12 year ban.
Gold Run is the creative response to this controversial history, communicating a powerful story through compelling film, music and visual art. The project brings together learning-disabled and non-traditional artists in the creation of a bold, multi-genre performance that includes a 30-strong choir, original films and one giant sculptural head – designed and created by artist, James Lake.
Sally Abbott, regional director, Arts Council England, says: “Arts Council England are delighted to support Gold Run, a production which has been devised and delivered by three of our National Portfolio Organisations and which will tour to two more, Brighton Festival and Chichester Festival Theatre, before the year is out.
“Who knows what the final result will be but one thing I can guarantee is that it will be exciting, passionate and above all – all embracing. Something that we should all support.”
Gold Run, Glyndebourne, Sun 1 April and The Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome as part of Brighton Festival, Mon 21 May, 6pm. For tickets see www.glyndebourne.com, www.brightonfestival.org
