A visual theatre and song canal-based project exploring society and climate change is kicking off its tour in Burnley next week.
Burnley arts organisation Mr Wilson’s present Opal’s Comet, a canal-based production conceived and written by Sonya ‘Boo’ Moorhead.
It’s a journeying song cycle, touring from late August to late November 2022, along the UK’s inland waterways and is performed from a canal boat.
Drawing on creation myths and oral storytelling tradition, Opal’s Comet is a tragic, short story which questions how to navigate personal grief, loss and transformation as the world tries to combat the climate crisis.
It will begin at Burnley Canal Festival (August 28 and 29) before moving onto the other towns and cites in the following months.
Opal’s Comet is a tragic, short story written by Mr Wilson’s artistic director Sonya ‘Boo’ Moorhead. In response to recent global and personal events, the story was rewritten in 2021 and takes an allegorical form.
Sonya ‘Boo’ Moorhead said: “In 2020 and 2021 our families and communities experienced so much sadness and loss. Mr Wilson’s is known for colourful, musical celebrations but not everyone is ready to jump back into that.
“This year we have created something exceptionally beautiful and hopeful; Opal’s Comet meets people on their own terms, in their own neighbourhood and offers time and space to reflect.”
The Opal’s Comet tour is a way to present this epic and hopeful story within the local landscape.
Artist Steve Gumbley, assisted by Andy Plant, was commissioned to visualise and create a sculptural response to the Golden Barge, which will be transported along the canal for each performance.
The collective of musicians who will perform the Opal's Comet song cycle for Mr Wilson's are: Sonya ‘Boo’ Moorhead as singer songwriter and director, John Ellis on piano (The Greyhounds, The Breath, Cinematic Orchestra) and Sarah Dale on cello (The Greyhounds, Stella Parton, Little Sparrow).
Rachael Gladwin on harp (Guy Garvey, Corinne Bailey Rae) is also joining the line-up for the Burnley and Manchester performances.
Opal’s Comet offers audiences and participants the opportunity to slow down and take stock, to celebrate shared values; pay homage to those we’ve lost and discuss how we might navigate a new future.
The journey of Opal’s Comet can also be accessed and followed remotely via live social media broadcasts, podcasts and other digital documentation of the artwork, music and journey.
For more information and links see the official web page here.
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