NEVER SUCH INNOCENCE is a programme of poems, readings and music from the First World War, first performed at St Mary’s Perivale on November 3rd 2016 as part of the Somme 100 commemoration.
Actor Christopher Kent and pianist Gamal Khamis look back at the writing and music that emerged from the period, juxtaposing the words of writers like Wilfred Owen, Edward Thomas, Siegfried Sassoon and Vera Brittain with piano music by composers such as Elgar, Ravel, Debussy, Frank Bridge and Ivor Gurney.
In a moving and thought-provoking sequence, they trace a narrative from the early innocence and nostalgia of pre-war life, through initial patriotic optimism, to the growing realisation of what was happening at the front and the deep sadness and loss that followed across Europe. As well as poetry the programme will include extracts from letters, diaries and contemporary accounts, plus material drawn from personal family history.
NEVER SUCH INNOCENCE is available for booking for concert societies, festivals, schools and theatres. Please contact innocence@ckuk.com or +44 7850 595089 to enquire about availability.
PERFORMANCES:
2017
Thursday 18 October, 1.15pm – Christ’s School, Richmond
Thursday 9 November 4.30pm & 7pm – Kingswood School, Bath
Friday 10 November, 7.30pm – Clapham Chamber Concerts, St Paul’s Church, London, SW4 0DX
2018
Saturday 17 March, 7.30pm. – All Saints Church, Isleworth, TW7 6BE
Sunday 18 March, 7.30pm – Jermyn Street Theatre, London SOLD OUT
Sunday 27 May, 2.15pm – English Music Festival, Silk Hall, Radley College, Oxfordshire, OX14 2HR
Tuesday 3 July, 7.30pm – Festival of Chichester, Oxmarket Centre of Arts, Chichester
Friday 13 July, 7.30pm – JAM on the Marsh Festival, St Dunstans Church, Romney Marsh
Saturday 8 September, 7.30pm – St Chad’s, Shrewsbury (in aid of Medic Malawi)
Wednesday 12 September, 7.15pm – Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AZ SOLD OUT
Thursday 13 September, 7pm – Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AZ
Friday 21 September, 7pm – Village Hall, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire BA12 7AP SOLD OUT
Sunday 30 September, 4.15pm – Sandham Memorial Chapel, Burghclere, Hampshire, RG20 9JT
Saturday 20 October, 7.30pm – Canterbury Festival, Sarah Thorne Theatre, Broadstairs
Sunday 2 November, 8pm – Southside House, Wimbledon, London, SW19 4RJ
Saturday 3 November, 7.30pm – Bath Recitals, St Michael’s Church, Bath
Monday 5 November, 7.30pm – Royal Overseas League, Park Place, St James’s Street, London, SW1A 1LR
Wednesday 7 November 7.30pm – Royal British Legion, Neston, Cheshire, CH64 9PB
Friday 9 November, 7.30pm – Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh, IP15 5BN
Sunday 11 November, 7.30pm – St Mary’s, Perivale, London, UB6 8SS
Sunday 18 November, 7.30pm – Jermyn Street Theatre, London, SW1Y 6ST
Sunday 25 November, 7.30pm – New London Synagogue, London, NW8 0AT
Friday 30 November, 7.30pm – HEART Arts Centre, Bennett Road, Leeds, LS6 3HN
Saturday 1 December, 8pm – OSO Arts Centre, Barnes Green, London, SW13 0LF
2019
Sunday 6 October, 7:30pm – The Red House, East Molesey, KT8 9DJ
“A very special, moving and immensely absorbing production”
“The most amazing evening… one of the most moving and thought-provoking events I have ever attended.”
“Beautifully nuanced show – tender, moving, angry”
“A spell-binding evening. So compelling to watch and listen to”
“The choice of poetry and music was perfect and the narrative and underlying story very moving…I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.”
“Thank you for the power and pathos of your performances…. I don’t think I have spent a more emotionally charged ninety minutes.”