Jeremy Irons narrates Sisters Grimm new show

Published: 22 May 2017
Reporter: Vera Liber

The cast of Voices of the Amazon Credit: Giulietta Verdon-Roe

Jeremy Irons will narrate Voices Of The Amazon, a dance musical from Brazil receiving its UK première at Sadler’s Wells from 4 to 8 July directed by Pietra Mello-Pittman, choreographed by Helen Pickett and composed by Ella Spira in collaboration with Brazilian songwriters Danny Nascimento, Dito Martins and Julien Davis and percussionists Olodum.

Produced by Sisters Grimm, it will open at Sadler’s Wells following an appearance at the Chekhov International Theatre Jubilee Festival in Moscow in June before travelling to Singapore. It is also part of the line-up for Latitude festival 2017.

Set amidst the Brazilian rainforest, Voices Of The Amazon follows the story of Beleza, a water spirit from the Amazon, whose search to cure her dying sister takes her on a life-changing journey deep into the rainforest.

The score contains sounds recorded from the Amazon Rainforest and music and songs performed in English and Portuguese with Helen Pickett’s fusion of ballet, contemporary and capoeira.

Lighting design is by Ben Cracknell, stage and costume design by Temple Clark and sound design by Adrian Rhodes. Rachel Maybank (McQueen at Theatre Royal Haymarket, Manon, Adriana Lecouvreur and Athis at the Royal Opera House) will play Beleza and Brazilian dancers and singers Charles Damasio, Hicaro Nicolai, Fernanda Muniz, Kauê Ribeiro and Leilani Telles will make their professional UK debuts.

Completing the cast are Michelle Buckley, Liam Burke and Kay Elizabeth from the United States and Stefanos Dimoulas from Greece, as well as musicians Rob Barron, (musical director, piano and synths), Adam Kovacs (percussion), Matthew West (percussion), Tina Jacobs (viola) and Lucy Skinner (cello).

Jeremy Irons said, “I was very much impressed by both Pietra and Ella in the way they approached me and intrigued by the multimedia approach to the worldwide problem of deforestation and attacks upon indigenous populations.

"Something about their spirit came through their proposal and now, having worked with them, I know it will imbue the final production which I look forward to seeing.”

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