Creating Carmen is more than a concert. It occupies the borders between a play and a concert, with 60/40 music to spoken word. It is a fully staged, costumed and professionally lit show for 3 musicians and two actors. The main characters are Prosper Merimée, writer of the novella on which Bizet’s Carmen was based, and Carmen herself as imagined by Merimée.
Prosper Merimée is struggling with his latest novella, when his leading character – Carmen – turns up in his study, larger than life, with a band of musicians in tow and chaos in her wake. Which one of them controls the narrative? And what happen when Carmen discovers the nasty ending Mérimée has planned for her?
A fun-filled evening of fantasy, comedy, drama and tremendous music arranged from Bizet’s Carmen and Spanish and Spanish-inspired music by Boccherini, da Falla, Garcia -Lorca, Granados, Ravel and Albeniz, all arranged by the musicians for guitars and flute /voice.
The project is a collaboration with writer Clare Norburn, who has developed a series of concert/plays which have toured to most of the UK’s leading venue and festivals, and director Nicholas Renton.
“bouts of intimacy, creativity and comedy were brilliantly matched with nearly all the best Spanish tunes I can think of… a very happy evening’s entertainment” **** – Andrew Connal, The Latest
“Clare Norburn’s thoughtful, intelligent Creating Carmen is part play, part concert and part discursive essay. And it makes for a pretty riveting evening.” – Susan Elkin, Lark Reviews
“Refreshing, original, fun” audience feedback on Creating Carmen first reading at Stroud Green Festival – June 2019
CarmenCo is an ensemble comprising Emily Andrews, flautist/mezzo; David Massey & Francisco Correa, guitars.
Exploiting the rich texture of 2 guitars with or without flute or voice, as well as our skills in arranging, we perform vibrant, visual, varied yet cost-effective programmes which can easily tour low-engaged communities. We perform all our music from memory and can move around and dance while playing.
“the playing is exquisite…a delightfully warm, intimate sound.”
– Susan Elkin, Lark Reviews
In 2019 we won a generous Arts Council England grant to develop and tour a new concert-play “Creating Carmen”, using our music and arrangements of music, but adding two actors, lighting, director and script writer.
CarmenCo trio grew when international solo guitarist Francisco Correa (www.franciscocorreaguitar.com) joined the Andrews Massey Duo, (formed by Emily & David in 2009). This duo has a fine pedigree: won the Tunnell Trust Award 2012-2013; were Royal Overseas League Competition semi-finalists 3 times & have appeared at Wigmore Hall, St Martin in the Fields & Kings Place & abroad in Germany, Italy & Sweden. They have made 3 CDs. One of their videos had 240,000+ YouTube views. For more information see www.andrewsmasseyduo.com
30 April 2020 19:30 Ryan Centre Theatre, Stranraer
6 June 2020 Sunflower and I, Cardiff, CarmenCo Trio (no actors)
7 June 2020 18:00 Llanstadwell, Wales, CarmenCo Trio (no actors)
12 July 2020 19:30 – St John’s Church, Buxton (Buxton Festival)
17 July 2020 11:00 – Bridport Arts Centre (Concerts in the West)
17 July 2020 19:30 – Ilminster Arts Centre (Concerts in the West)
18 July 2020 19:30 – Dance House, Crewkerne (Concerts in the West)
22 October 2020 10:45 – Leatherhead Methodist Church, Leatherhead (CarmenCo Trio – no actors)
5 October 2021, Peebles Eastgate Theatre
22th Nov 2019, St Georges Church, Kemp Town, Brighton BN2 1ED
23th Nov 2019, Asembly Rooms, Faversham – CarmenCo trio performance.
23rd Nov 2019, Ullet Road Unitarian Church, Liverpool L17 2AA
CarmenCo’s debut CD featuring Spanish inspired music and the soundtrack to “Creating Carmen” is out now.
Writer Clare Norburn gives some background to Creating Carmen, and insight into her writing process for the show.
