Royal Northern Sinfonia marks centenary of groundbreaking North East premiere with The Soldier’s Tale in collaboration with Live Theatre
Stravinsky’s genre-defying masterpiece returns to the region 100 years after its UK debut at Newcastle’s People’s Theatre.
Royal Northern Sinfonia presents Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale in an intimate, staged performance at The Glasshouse’s Sage Two on Saturday 21 March. Led musically by The Glasshouse’s Artistic Partner Maria Włoszczowska, the production will be directed by Live Theatre’s Artistic Director Jack McNamara with Scotland-based choreographer Roberta Jean. It will feature a virtuoso physical performance by North East rising star Scott Turnbull with live narration by the legendary actor Toby Jones. It marks exactly 100 years since this groundbreaking work received its UK premiere at Newcastle’s People’s Theatre in 1926.
The People’s Theatre built a reputation for championing radical, avant-garde work that wouldn’t be performed elsewhere in Britain. Their 1926 production of The Soldier’s Tale preceded the London premiere by over a year, placing the North East at the forefront of experimental, cross-artform programming.
Now, a century later, Royal Northern Sinfonia brings this work back to the region in a production that honours that pioneering spirit combining exceptional musicianship with theatrical staging in an intimate, in-the-round setting. Royal Northern Sinfonia’s long-standing commitment to both musical excellence and creative experimentation makes it well placed to return this landmark work to the North East.
Live Theatre is one of the country’s leading new writing venues, known for cutting edge, political work rooted in the region. It has recently presented theatrical projects with musicians ranging from Lindisfarne and Jimmy Nail to MeLostMe and Gazelle Twin.
Stark, sarcastic and bitingly brilliant, The Soldier’s Tale tells of a soldier who deserts the army and sells his soul to the devil. Created during World War I, Stravinsky’s score for just seven instruments is spare, sardonic and infused with jazz influences – a lesson in how powerful small-scale music-making can be.
The project sits within Maria Włoszczowska’s wider Artistic Partnership with The Glasshouse, which explores chamber-scale classical work that brings musicians and audiences into closer connection.
The production brings together two of the region’s cultural organisations in a collaboration rooted in the North East and shaped by a shared interest in ambitious, cross-artform work. Presented in association with Live Theatre, the performance is led by Maria Włoszczowska, directing a small ensemble of Royal Northern Sinfonia musicians, with Jack McNamara and Roberta Jean directing the staged elements.
Maria Włoszczowska, Artistic Partner at The Glasshouse said:
“I’m thrilled to be working on Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale with RNS, the phenomenal Toby Jones, Jack McNamara from Live Theatre, and choreographer Roberta Jean. This is where the most curious artists of music, theatre and dance meet, and discover something new through this one-of-a-kind collaboration. It’s a creative team beyond my wildest dreams. Come along and you’re sure to be in for a fresh, original, unforgettable experience.”
Jack McNamara, Artistic Director, Live Theatre said:
“We are thrilled to be working with The Glasshouse and Royal Northern Sinfonia on this project. Our venues are right across the river form each other (albeit of quite different sizes!) and I have long hoped we would join forces. It’s particularly exciting to be working with Maria with her vast experience, and to bring our own theatrical slant to the proceedings. Choreographer Roberta Jean is a favourite artist of mine, who first worked with me on Live Theatre’s production of Saint Maud, and I can’t wait to collaborate intensively with her on this rich and complex project with the sublime Scott Turnbull. And the cherry on all this is to be reunited with Toby Jones, who really can do no wrong and is sure to give audiences a night to remember.”
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Media contact: Susie Gray 07834 073795 | Orla Noble
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Media contact: Susie Gray, susie.gray@premiercomms.com 07834 073795 | Orla Noble, orla.noble@premiercomms.com
About Royal Northern Sinfonia
Internationally renowned, calling Gateshead home.
37 musicians at the top of their game. Electrifying music, old and new. All the talent, determination and creativity of the North East on a worldwide stage. From their home at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Royal Northern Sinfonia share the joy and wonder of orchestral music with thousands of people across the North of England – and beyond – every year.
From symphonies to string quartets, film soundtracks to choral masses, and original performances with awesome artists from Sheku Kanneh-Mason to Self Esteem, the orchestra’s members have got one of the most varied jobs there is. They’re always looking for fresh new sounds from up-and-coming composers, inviting local communities to share a stage, and doing everything they can to inspire and prepare the musicians of tomorrow to one day take their place.
They’re also working hard to smash the barriers that can stop brilliant people getting into classical music. They’ve teamed up with national partners to support women conductors to develop their careers, to help global majority musicians get vital experience in the orchestra world, and to celebrate disabled and non-disabled musicians breaking new ground together in RNS Moves. And they bring new musical opportunities to the region, headlining the first-ever BBC Proms weekend outside London.
Because they whole-heartedly believe orchestral music is for anyone – big cities and tiny villages, brand-new babies and life-long listeners, die-hard fans and curious minds – they travel far and wide to make sure there’s top-notch classical music on offer for anyone ready to say, “I’ll give that a go”. You’ll find them in churches, castles, and community venues across the North, as well as spearheading concert seasons in Carlisle, Kendal, Middlesbrough, and Sunderland.
With 65 years of success to build on, they’ve signed a dynamic young artistic leadership – Music Director Dinis Sousa, Artistic Partner Maria Włoszczowska, Principal Guest Conductor Nil Venditti and Associate Conductor Ellie Slorach – to lead the way into a bold, bright future. They’re joined by Conductor Laureate Thomas Zehetmair.
Wherever the orchestra play and whoever they share a stage with, every performance is a chance to see, hear and feel the music.
About The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is a home for live music lovers.
It’s a place where you can hear rock legends or pop icons on the same night as folk trios or string quartets. Where new musicians are nurtured and showcased on the same stages as platinum-selling performers. And where youth choirs and tambourine-shaking toddlers practise in the same spaces as its acclaimed orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia.
Because as an international centre for music they’re focused on creating and celebrating outstanding music – whether that’s unearthing or growing talent from the region or bringing the world’s best artists to their stages. And as a charity they’re focused on making sure all of that is available to anyone – no matter where you’re from, how old you are, how much money you have, or what challenges you face.
Which is why every year more than 2 million people are able to join for top-notch gigs, concerts, and classes – in their venue at Gateshead Quays, out in communities across the North East, and through livestreamed performances and digital lessons.
Whether you’re making it up or taking it in, you’ll find music lives and grows there.
More about The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
- Since opening in 2004, The Glasshouse has hosted over 10,000 performances, welcoming nearly 5 million audience members and a total of 8 million visitors through its doors. It would take more than 27 years to see every show if you attended one every day.
- Over two decades, the charity has delivered around 233,000 music lessons, reaching young people and adults 2.8 million times across its education programmes (1.8 million of which were young people).
- As its resident orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia has toured globally, performing across four continents and livestreaming to audiences across five. Royal Northern Sinfonia also continues to bring world-class music to communities across the country, with 58% of performances in “levelling up for culture” areas.
- The Glasshouse has supported the careers of thousands of artists like Ward Thomas who have worked their way from free stages to headline shows in its main hall, achieving national and global recognition.
- A recent report quantified its annual social value through education, inclusion and community programmes at £14.1 million.
- Since 2004, The Glasshouse has welcomed over 400,000 delegates for conferences and events, hosting organisations such as Greggs, NHS, and British Engines. Through conferences and events it has generated £10.6 million, helping to fund the venue and support live music and education programmes.
- Over the past two decades, The Glasshouse has generated £681.2million to the UK economy with £38.6m each year in ongoing impact. It supports 700 jobs directly and indirectly.
- The iconic building, designed by Foster + Partners, has 630 panes of glass and stands 40 metres tall. In its opening year, it was exhibited at the Venice Biennale and won the RIBA Inclusive Design Award in 2005.
Celebrating 20 years – In December 2024, The Glasshouse marked its 20th birthday. Over the next year, the charity will reflect on two decades of achievements and look ahead to its third decade, with major initiatives like the Music Academy and Music Pass for newborns, making music accessible to all.