Witnessing Alan Lyddiard’s latest work SINFONIA was an overwhelming experience last night during its Press Night. I have been following Alan’s work for a quarter of a century now, since his artistic directorship at Northern Stage, and I was always mystified by its sense of immediacy, unforced communication and relevance.

This work has stirred a plethora of feelings in me: sadness, exuberance, strength, and a certain lightness – it doesn’t matter how one feels when they enter the auditorium – they leave feeling lighter, and more optimistic about the future. The design, the music, the lighting – the energy of the ensemble create a unique ritual celebrating life! Performed by the Performance Ensemble – a group of older performers – this piece has several moment of genuine transcendence – where the music and the text and what you are actually experiencing gains a deeper significance and emotional power.

And yes, I am obsessed with verbatim theatre and real stories from people’s lives and this work is part of the 1001 Stories Initiative, but still, this production is inspiring and liberating and bittersweet and all embracing – all at once. It is so extremely moving seeing Alex (Elliott from A CLOCKWORK ORANGE), now a mature man, perhaps Prospero, conjuring the spirits in a tempestuous sequence conducting the entire cast, and dancers and singers talking about their former professional career, and other members of the ensemble sharing stories about their lovers, and families and granddaughters – and buses – and it’s both political and energising, unmissable and heart-warming!

Professor George A Rodosthenous, 29 April 2023

George is Professor of Theatre Directing and Deputy Head of School at the School of Performance and Cultural Industries of the University of Leeds. He has been the Director of Enterprise and Knowledge Transfer for the School from 2009-2012. He is the Artistic Director of the theatre company Altitude North and has also worked as a freelance director/composer for the theatre.