Richmond Castle, North Yorkshire. 7-9 April 2017
Situations Presents Verity Standen Refrain – a beautiful piece of immersive choral artistry held within the grounds of Richmond Castle.
The harmonies resonated around the grounds whilst the public were encouraged to explore the castle. Watching the sunset and listening to the bird song and the sound of the river below the male voices sang a lament to commemorate the ‘Richmond 16’
Just over 100 years ago, the sixteen conscientious objectors were detained in a cell block at Richmond Castle. Before they were sent to France to be court-martialled, the 16 covered the cell walls with words, hymns and drawings.
21 local men, all untrained singers, blended their voices stunningly – amongst them a doctor, scrap metal merchant, a Methodist minister, students, asylum seekers, people who have experienced homelessness, and a Green Party candidate who hasn’t sung for 50 years. Aging from teen to pensioner the men started off in small groups scattered around the castle, vocalising different lyrics in their groups. The men then came into a large group and individually sang a different piece but together. But what might have sounded like a cacophony of noise was a more sweet-sounding anthem
The acoustics of the castle reverberated through the vast open spaces and in the confines of the chapel and the Keep. The men’s plaintive voices crying out Standen’s vocal composition.
This ensemble piece was magnificent in its simpleness, their voices as one, it is a performance that should not be missed
This almost angelic chorus is showing in Richmond – Saturday 8th April 6pm and 7.30pm. Sunday 9th April 6.00am (dawn) and 10.15am. With tickets priced at :£12 (Concessions: £8 Group family ticket: £25) Tickets to the 6.00am (dawn) performance are free
It then moves to St. Helens, Merseyside 19th – 21st May and Newhaven, West Sussex 9th – 11th June. Further details can be found at www.refrain.online
Singers: Harrison Braithwaite, Adrian Cook, Tom Cooper, Alan Coustick, Jamie Edgar, Pete Edge, Jonathan Gibbs, Charlie Grumbley, Patrick Ititini, Paddy O’Neil, Alec Paul, David Pisaro, Luca Riccer, Peter Roberts, Leslie Rowe, Jamie Sample, William Thayre, Chris Wellings, John Westwood, Hamid Reza Yazdanfar.
Ensemble: Edward Wren, Harry Humberstone, Robert Thumpston, Robin Paley Yorke
Composed and directed by Verity Standen