As part of Bristol Old Vic’s Ferment programme, Kora player Griot, Sura Susso and I co-devised a transnational immersive lullabies experience. This involved commissioning Gambian writer, Ya Mallen Jagne, to write two short children’s stories, which were then filmed being told in Gambia. A live score for kora, cello, sitar and vocals was then composed and performed live, accompanying a projection of the film of Ya Mallen Jagne’s stories.
This was the first concert we had given since lockdown, having rehearsed in preparation for the development of the work in the theatre outdoors, in parks to follow social distance guidelines. The performance began with Sura and I in the upper parts of the theatre court yard space. Once sura made his way down to the stage and gave a stunning solo, he addressed the audience with a simple “good evening”. They burst into applause. As I walked down the stairs to join him I felt a shiver and felt quite moved, as it dawned on everyone in the room that this was the first time since before the pandemic that most people present had received a “good evening”. The content and timing of this collaboration will forever be extra special for me because of this moment.
Dr Pete Yelding 