The community came together in Suffolk to bring back Benjamin's Britten's opera 'Noye's Fludde' to the county in a stunning performance at Thorington Theatre.
More than 150 cast and crew members, including world-class musicians, creative performers, and a diverse cross-section of the Suffolk community, participated in two sell-out shows.
The community-centric show, a unique genre defined by Britten, was a collaborative effort involving schools, local families, prison inmates, and industry experts.
Rosalind Parker, Sizewell Creative's creative director, said: “Benjamin Britten defined a new genre of community opera for the villages in and around Leiston with Noye’s Fludde – and we couldn’t be prouder of all the community performers who’ve so successfully captured the creative spirit Britten wanted to inspire."
Student performers from Suffolk New College onstage (Image: Mike Kwasniak)
The initiative started last year with vocal lessons at Pro Corda, Leiston Abbey, followed by creative workshops in eight schools, prop design by local families and a fully-sustainable stage set-up facilitated by Warren Hill Prison inmates.
Members of the Sizewell C team actively contributed throughout the project, testing materials and joining singing sessions.
The two performances featured a rich line-up including choristers from St Catherine's College, Cambridge, Alde Valley Academy, and Suffolk New College students.
Speaking of the project, Imogen Fraser, lecturer in Performing Arts, Suffolk New College, said: “This project has provided our performing arts students with the fantastic opportunity to work as independent artists on a professionally run production."
Suffolk community participates in world-class performance of Benjamin Britten's 'Noye's Fludde (Image: Mike Kwasniak)
The project, which aligns with the theme of the climate crisis, was a first for the Sizewell Creative arts programme, developed by Sizewell C.
Julia Pyke, joint managing director at Sizewell C, said: “Investing in the arts and delivering performances and opportunities that help bring together community and raise aspirations within Suffolk, is such a rewarding way for us to achieve that.”
The Sizewell Creative initiative promises to offer more free, accessible, and sustainable arts events for the community in the future.
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