Leeds Playhouse – until 6 May 2023
Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood
5*****
Sinfonia opens at the Leeds Playhouse as part of the 1001 Stories Takeover. The 1001 Stories Takeover is a two-week cultural festival occupying all the space at the Playhouse where older people share their lives with song, dance, music, and exhibits.
Sinfonia is collaborated between The Performance Ensemble, Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Museums and Galleries and Leeds Older People Forum. This work is specifically commissioned for Leeds 2023, the city’s year of culture.
Under the direction of Alan Lyddiard, members of The Performance Ensemble share stories of their fulfilling lives for 75 minutes or so from an open mic with storytelling, song, and movement. Their feel-good experiences are lighted with humour and some with poignant reflection.
The belief is that everyone can share, and everyone can be artists no matter what circumstance or background one comes from. The performers confirmed this from the excellent and moving intimate performances from everyone whose desire is to be part of the positive change for future through creativity and uniqueness.
Staged excellently, courtesy of Lyddiard, Neil Murray, Tim Skelly, Nikola Kodjabashia and Ben Pugh and meaningfully choreography by Tamara McLong, Sinfonia is a new show that is highly recommended and is unmissable.