This world premiere performance mixed music and science in a high concept but very human production that took us to the outer reaches of space, and the inner lives of its protagonists.
The piece is built around new compositions by an international group of composers comprising Theo Whitworth, Anibal Vidal, Robin Haigh, Blasio Kavuma, Samantha Fernando, Zhenyan Li and Pauchi Sasaki.
Inspired by an esoteric array of planets from outside our solar system – known as exoplanets – they have produced a modern equivalent of Holst’s The Planets.
The music is performed by the City of London Sinfonia, interweaved with the story of astrobiologist Mari (Serena Manteghi), her wife Audrey (Amanda Hadingue), and their foster son Leo (Sophie Steer, also playing classical music journalist Helena).
Told through a seamless blend of flashback and current day action, we hear snippets of 20 years of lectures by Mari that inspired the fictional version of the composition of the new music. Clever use of projection and a semi-transparent wall brings the on-stage orchestra in and out of vision, with each piece slotting into the story of our four “motes of dust”.
There is a risk with these types of show that the conceit becomes more dominant that the content, but the production swerves becoming formulaic with a subtle shift in the second half. The script is also very human: while there is scientific exposition, there is also plenty of humour. There is a particularly touching dumbshow of a series of birthday celebrations, performed as the sinfonia plays.
The joint casting of Leo and Helena doesn’t really work – some projected photos are particularly jarring – and the seven local young musicians could have been better used. After their initial appearance they are mostly left to watch from stage edge, save for some incidental music and set redressing.
The Sinfonia on the other hand are very much at the core, conducted by Naomi Woo, and giving captivating performances of each of the new pieces. The music and drama are inextricably linked.
There is a lot to recommend in this piece, being conjured out of cosmic dust to create an exceptionally honed premiere performance, that informs, educates, and entertains.
- The Exoplanets is at Norwich Theatre Royal until 7 September 2025.
