The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Coleridge’s epic poem was the starting point for a collaboration between writer Gerda Stevenson and composer Dee Isaacs, who together made an opera – a retelling for our times reflecting on the current refugee crisis. The promenade performance involved 60 primary school children from an area of deprivation within the City of Edinburgh, 25 music students, 2 musicians from West Africa and professional creative and production teams.
“I saw the Rime of the Ancient Mariner in the sumptuous hall of the Playfair Library and in the Old College quad at Edinburgh University outside last night, words by Gerda Stevenson , music by Dee Isaacs, directed by John Bett. You should go. It’s a beautiful and moving community opera that takes Coleridge’s poem and places it firmly in the here and now, in the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean Sea and right on our doorsteps. 60 children from Leith Walk primary, a host of musicians and professional actors. This is an event worth catching.”
Matthew Zajac Theatre Director
“I know this for sure, that your words Gerda, and your music, Dee, moved people immeasurably, providing depth and light and colour in 3 dark evenings and giving them a boatload of thinks to think about.”
John Bett – Writer/director
