In an exciting collaboration between one of Scotland’s most innovative theatre companies and the national opera company present a double bill of a newly created music theatre piece, 'The 8th Door' and a new production of Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle.
Established in 1999 and led by artistic director Matthew Lenton, Vanishing Point has developed an international reputation for bold and ambitious performances that create worlds that are simultaneously recognisable and strange. Their work has been created and performed in over 20 countries with leading international festivals and venues across the globe.
Directing Bluebeard’s Castle will mark Lenton’s debut as an opera director. “It is terrifically exciting to be collaborating with Scottish Opera and to work on Bartók’s masterpiece,” says Lenton.
“It’s particularly special for Vanishing Point to have the opportunity to work with Lliam Paterson [Scottish Opera Composer in Residence] to develop a new piece which will blur the lines between art forms.”
Scottish Opera was founded by Alexander Gibson in 1962 and is Scotland’s largest performing arts organisation. Its General Director Alex Reedijk says, “I … have admired [Matthew’s] work for some time, so I am delighted he is making his operatic directorial debut with Scottish Opera. … the collaboration on The 8th Door between Matthew and … Lliam Paterson, promises to be an artistically fascinating one.”
The roles of Bluebeard and Judith will be performed by two of the world’s leading operatic soloists, Robert Hayward and Karen Cargill and both The 8th Door and Bluebeard’s Castle will be performed under the baton of acclaimed conductor, Siân Edwards.
The double bill will open at Theatre Royal Glasgow on 28 March 2017 with further performances on 30 March and 1 April. The production will then be staged at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh on 5 and 8 April 2017.