THE TIGER LILLIES AND OPERA NORTH
LULU – A MURDER BALLAD
Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House Monday 23rd – Saturday 28th November, 2015
The Tiger Lillies’ genre-defying brand of other-worldly vocals and unnerving performance style has carved them a unique niche in the cabaret and music theatre scene and earned them a Grammy nomination. After a sell-out run of THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER at the Southbank Centre, the cult creators of the Olivier Award-winning SHOCKHEADED PETER now stage LULU – A MURDER BALLAD, adapted from the German macabre classics by Frank Wedekind, Earth Spirit (1895) and Pandora’s Box (1904).
The story follows the character of Lulu, one of the great creations of 20th Century fiction, and one of its most disturbing. Her unbridled sex appeal, her youth, and her self-destructiveness combine to make her dangerous, unpredictable and tragic. With the men (and women) who circle her, Lulu’s journey from street prostitute to the toast of Society and back again is told as a hypnotic and kaleidoscopic dance of death. Join her as she travels from Berlin to Paris and finally to the dark streets of Jack the Ripper’s London.
“It makes you as uncomfortable as hell, but you never turn your fascinated gaze away.”
The Guardian on LULU – A MURDER BALLAD
An uncompromising musical and visual melodrama, LULU – A MURDER BALLAD combines The Tiger Lillies’ frontman Martyn Jacques’ castrati-influenced vocals and the band’s flamboyant style with atmospheric visuals and contemporary dance. Taking the familiar narrative, Jacques weaves the tale into a new theatrical song-cycle of 20 songs and interludes. Directed and designed by Mark Holthusen (THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARNIER) with stunning virtual sets, the show is performed live by The Tiger Lillies with dancerLaura Caldow (Royal Ballet, ROH, ENO) as Lulu.
A CD of the song cycle from LULU – A MURDER BALLAD is available on Misery Guts Music.
“Laura Caldow delivers a heartbreakingly tender dance performance as the tragic heroine”
The Independent on LULU – A MURDER BALLAD
LISTINGS
Venue: Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House
Dates: Monday 23rd – Friday 27th November, 7.45pm; Saturday 28th November, 6pm
Box Office: 020 7304 4000 / www.roh.org.uk
Tickets: £8 – £25 (Concessions available)
Age advisory 16+
The company can also be seen at Brighton Dome – Concert Hall on Monday 30th November at 8pm.
Tickets: £12.50 – £19.50 (Concessions available)
Box office: 01273 709709 or www.brightondome.org