The Paradis Files at Southbank Centre

The Paradis Files at Southbank Centre

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The Paradis Files at Southbank Centre 〰️

Image: The Southbank Centre

The story of The Paradis Files centres around a blind musician, known as The Blind Enchantress, and her family who are determined to find a cure. Set in the glittering salons 18th century Vienna, Maria-Theresia von Paradis, has the world in awe of her stardom – she is a pianist, composer, and touring musician.

This ground-breaking new chamber opera is currently on tour around the UK, tonight and tomorrow night – 13th and 14th April – are the dates you can catch it in London. Other dates and locations are listed below. The Paradis Files is directed by Graeae Artistic Director, Jenny Sealey, with musical direction by Andrea Brown and music by Errollyn Wallen.  

“It has been a joy to have been commissioned by Graeae and The Stables to bring this fascinating story of Maria Theresia von Paradis to life. I am so looking forward to the premiere of The Paradis Files, after the many exciting twists and turns of its development.” – Errollyn Wallen, Composer

Graeae is the UK’s leading disabled-led theatre company, placing deaf and disabled actors on centre stage and are constantly working towards challenging preconceptions in the industry. If you are lucky enough to attend The Paradis Files you will see a creative integration of BSL, captioning and audio description, making the experience completely inclusive for all.

Image: The Paradis Files rehearsal pictures, L to R Andee-Louise Hypolite, Omar Ebrahim, Ben Thapa, Chandu Gopalakrishnan, Credit: Henri T.jpg

Performers include Maureen Brathwaite, Omar Ebrahim, Andee-Lousie Hypolite, Bethan Langford, Ella Taylor, and Ben Thapa. Excitingly, The Paradis Files has been commissioned by The Stables for the Milton Keynes International Festival and is produced in partnership with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Curve Theatre.

“Finally, we will have this glorious company of Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent and non-disabled singers, actors and creatives all in one room. Together, we will bring this brilliant new opera, by composed by Errollyn Wallen and libretto by Nicola Werenowska and Selina Mills, to life with musical direction by the incomparable Andrea Brown. Thanks as always to our producing partner, Leicester Curve, the BBC Concert Orchestra, to all our funders and supporter, and most of all to The Stables who commissioned the project in the first place for their 50th anniversary.” - Jenny Sealey, Director

Catch The Paradis Files at the following locations and watch the inspiring life of Maria Theresia von Paradis brought to life on stage. Tickets can be found here.

Image: Image: The Paradis Files rehearsal pictures, L to R Andrea Brown, Max Marchewicz, Ella Taylor. Credit: Henri T.jpg

Tour Dates:

London, 13th – 14th April, The Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall

Milton Keynes, 20th – 21st April, The Stables

Colchester, 23rd April, Mercury Theatre

Hull, 26th April, Hull Truck Theatre

Perth, 28th – 29th April, Perth Theatre

Cardiff, 5th – 6th May, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

Sheffield, 11th – 12th May, Crucible Theatre

Fun fact: the Sicilienne in E-flat major for violin and piano is probably the most famous composition that has been ascribed to Paradis, and it was played at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by violinist Samuel Dushkin!

Words by Mollie Cohen