Special Film Screenings of Two Operas Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s One-Act Plays, “The Six Of Calais” & “Passion, Poison, and Petrifaction”

PEGASUS OPERA COMPANY  & HAGEMANN ROSENTHAL ASSOCIATES

In Partnership with

The George Bernard Shaw Society UK

Presents

 Special Film Screenings of Two Opera’s Adapted from

George Bernard Shaw’s One-Act Plays,

“The Six Of Calais” & “Passion, Poison, and Petrifaction”

The screenings are of Pegasus Opera Company’s past productions.

Composed by Philip Hagemann with Librettos Adapted by Mr. Hagemann. 

OPERA 1. The Six of Calais, written by Bernard Shaw, was first performed in 1934. Set in the 1346-1347 Siege of Calais during the Hundred Years War between England and France. It tells the story of six burghers of Calais who, to save their town from destruction, volunteer to be executed by the English king Edward III. The story was originally popularised by the French writer Jean Froissart, but Shaw was inspired to write The Six Of Calais after seeing the sculpture ‘The Burghers of Calais’ created by his friend, the French artist Auguste Rodin.

OPERA 2. Passion, Poison & Petrifaction by Bernard Shaw is a comic melodrama with desire, murder and a twisted plot. Hagemann’s music skilfully enhances Shaw’s wit. With a cast of established and talented performers including Pegasus Opera’s Artistic Director and soprano Alison Buchanan.

Dublin born George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from the 1880s to his death and beyond. He wrote more than sixty plays, including Man and Superman (1902), Pygmalion (1913) and Saint Joan (1923) and Arms and the Man. With a range incorporating both contemporary satire and historical allegory, Shaw became the leading dramatist of his generation and in 1925 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Throughout the day there will be speakers from Pegasus Opera Company, Hagemann Rosenthal Associates and The George Bernard Shaw Society, who will give talks about the history of the Opera’s and about Bernard Shaw.

The day will end with a panel discussion. 

The full outline of the day will be as follows

1. Introduction to two one-act operas based on plays by G. Bernard Shaw using videos of past productions by the Pegasus Opera Company composed by Philip Hagemann with librettos adapted by Mr. Hagemann. (20 mins)
2. Murray Rosenthal (Producer of Hagemann Rosenthal Associates and. Co Producer of the two operas): will talk about Genesis of the operas by Philp Hagemann;
3. History and Synopsis of both operas
4. Sonia Hymans & Allson Buchanan: Brief history of Pegasus Opera Co.
5. Bernadine Pritchett: Putting Shaw’s words to music.
6. Screening Of The Six of Calas (45 mins)
7. Interval 10 mins
8. Screening of “Passion, Poison, and Petrifaction”  (45 mins)
9. Followed by a Q & A (15 mins)
10. Interval 30 mins

The Shaw Society Presentation: Panel on Shaw’s Play “Arms And The Man”

1. Introduction – Maureen Clark Darby, Chairperson of the GBS Society, will speak about the upcoming production of Arms and the Man at ‘Shaw’s Corner’ on July 25 & 26, commemorating the 100^th anniversary of Shaw receiving the Nobel Prize & the 75^th anniversary of his death. (5 mins)
2. Panel (60 mins)
3. John Goodrum, Director of the Rumpus Theatre Company

Brief history of the Rumpus Theatre Company

History and synopsis of the play

Introduction of the panelists

1. Panel Discussion
2. Q&A 15 mins
3. Reception

Pegasus Opera Company is a registered charity based in Brixton. It provides opportunities for artists of African and Asian heritage and promotes opera amongst people of all ages in underserved and culturally diverse communities. With a network of artists, collaborators, and supporters, it produces high quality performances and has a strong emphasis on artist development and promoting emerging talents across distinguished platforms. For the last three decades, Pegasus Opera Company has upheld the company’s founder – Lloyd Newton’s credo – “Harmony In Diversity” and it continues to be the artistic home for opera singers, composers, musicians, directors and performers, from diverse African, Asian and Caribbean heritage. It showcases artists, challenges audience perceptions, and advocates for inclusion and positive change. To find out more google Pegasusoperacompany.org

The George Bernard Shaw Society, has been celebrating GBS since 1941.  It’s Mission is to advance public education and appreciation of the British theatre through the plays, writings, and ideas of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. Providing opportunities to study, discuss and enjoy the works of GBS and his contemporaries through public performances, readings, films, lectures, talks and articles in the press and the Society’s journal “The Shavian”. To join the GBS Society google shawsociety.org.uk