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"Improbable is one of the brilliant faces of British Theatre"
The Observer
Akhnaten
Leave your homes, my people. Come see, the old order fades. A new age dawns. Behold, a new power rises. Behold, the sun.
11 Feb – 7 Mar 2019
English National Opera | London Coliseum
Phelim McDermott‘s Olivier Award-winning production of Philip Glass‘s Akhnaten returns to ENO for its first revival, following its sell-out run in 2016.
Akhnaten is a mesmerising work whose text draws on ancient hymns, prayers and inscriptions sung in their original Egyptian, Hebrew and Akkadian. The opera’s unique mood will transport you to the ancient world through music that combines Glass’s characteristic minimalist voice with stylised movement and choreographed juggling to visualise the rhythms of his score.
Philip Glass specialist Karen Kamensek conducts Akhnaten following last season’s Satyagraha revival. Anthony Roth Costanzo returns to ENO in the title role, as do Rebecca Bottone, singing Queen Tye, James Cleverton, Colin Judson and Zachary James. New to the production is Harewood Artist Katie Stevenson as Nefertiti and the bass-baritone Keel Watson as Aye.
‘Musically and visually mesmerising’
★★★★★ The Stage
‘Unforgettable magnificence’
★★★★ The Independent
‘A gloriously coloured eye-catching affair’
★★★★ The Guardian
English National Opera in collaboration with Improbable
Co-production with LA Opera
Creative Team of ENO 2019
Karen Kamensek
Conductor
Phelim McDermott
Director
Tom Pye
Set Designer
Kevin Pollard
Costume Designer
Bruno Poet
Lighting Designer
Sean Gandini
Skills Ensemble Choreographer
Cast of ENO 2019
Anthony Roth Costanzo
Akhnaten
Katie Stevenson
Nefertiti
Rebecca Bottone
Queen Tye
James Cleverton
Horemhab
Keel Watson
Aye
Colin Judson
High Priest of Amon
Zachary James
The Scribe
Charlotte Beament
Daughter of Akhnaten
Hazel McBain
Daughter of Akhnaten
Rosie Lomas
Daughter of Akhnaten
Martha Jones
Daughter of Akhnaten
Angharad Lyddon
Daughter of Akhnaten
First performed by the ENO in March 2016, subsequently performed at LA Opera in November 2016.
Performed by Clive Bayley, Rebecca Bottone, Emma Carrington, James Cleverton, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Zachary James, Colin Judson
Production details:
Running time: 2hrs 50mins
Language: Sung in Egyptian, Hebrew and Akkadian with no surtitles
Conducted by Karen Kamensek
Directed by Phelim McDermott
Designed by Tom Pye
Costume Design by Kevin Pollard
Lighting Designed by Bruno Poet
Choreography by Sean Gandini
Photo by Tristram Kenton
Anthony Roth Costanzo (Photo by Tristram Kenton)
Photo by Tristram Kenton
Photo by Tristram Kenton
Photo by Tristram Kenton
Anthony Roth Costanzo and Emma Carrington (Photo by Tristram Kenton)
Akhnaten rehearsals (Photo by Tristram Kenton)
Photo by Tristram Kenton
Photo by Tristram Kenton
Anthony Roth Costanzo, Emma Carrington and Rebecca Bottone (Photo by Tristram Kenton)
Photo by Tristram Kenton
Photo by Tristram Kenton
Anthony Roth Costanzo (Photo by Tristram Kenton)
Emma Carrington (Photo by Tristram Kenton)
Photo by Tristram Kenton
Photo by Tristram Kenton
Anthony Roth Costanzo and Zachary James (Photo by Tristram Kenton)
Photo by Tristram Kenton
Photo by Tristram Kenton
Current Productions
Tao of Glass
An exploration of life, loss and a single question: Where does true inspiration come from? This new collaboration between Philip Glass and Phelim McDermott marries ten meditations on life, death and Taoist wisdom with ten brand new pieces of music.
Workshop with Lee Simpson: Improvisation for Stage and Page
In this five-day workshop, Co-Artistic Director Lee Simpson looks at how Improbable brings the philosophy and practice of improvisation to performance improv, devised theatre, plays, operas and social activism.
Global Improvisation Initiative 2019
A global gathering of improvisers, artists, educators, scholars and activists promoting the evolution and advancement of improvisation. Co-hosted by the iii! and Middlesex University.
