Published at 13:10, Thursday, 20 August 2009

IN 4-4-2 TIME: John Hall and Glenn Boulter at Holker Street JOE RILEY REF: 0416701

By Claire High

A PIECE of music inspired by Barrow AFC will get its London debut next Monday at the Grimeborn Opera Festival.

An Unorthodox 1-2 is composed by Barrow-based musician Glenn Boulter who worked at Barrow AFC during 2008-9 season as resident artist as part of Sightlines, the digital arts project run by artist and AFC fan John Hall.

Along with prints, video and work with local schools, Glenn produced An Unorthodox 1-2 which he performed and recorded with his band Aurelie and Barrow fan Damien Rose.

The group have now been invited to perform the piece on the prestigious opening Gala night of the Grimeborn Opera Festival at London’s Arcola Theatre on August 24 and Grimeborns’ organisers promise an evening of “Love, Sex, Death and Football” with Glenn’s piece lining up alongside Opera Exchange’s production The Descent Of Inanna.

An Unorthodox 1-2 combines field recordings, spoken word, and instrumental material to explore the aural environment of the ground from the physical sounds of the game to the emotional response of the crowd and the acoustics of the site.

Inspired by his visits to Holker Street, Glenn produced a series of texts that he later recorded with Barrow-based actor Damian Rose. Drawing on early radio dramas, these monologues collage together adverts for local businesses of the 60s , texts from old programmes and details of local geography, forming the starting point for three instrumental pieces.

To be performed on the night by Aurelie members Francis O’Donnell Smith (guitar, laptop, production), David Dhonau (cello, bass), Euan Roger (percussion, electronics) Ola Szmidt (flute) Damien Rose (vocals, loops) and John Hall (laptop and effects) the two elements attempt to capture the unique aura of match day at Holker Street.

Glenn and the band are also shortlisted to perform An Unorthodox 1-2 at the Royal Opera House’s “First ’09” event in November.

Glenn and John would like to thank the directors of Barrow AFC for their support during the Sightlines project, and Arts Council England and the PRS Foundation for their contribution towards the development and live performances of An Unorthodox 1-2.

Tickets are available from the Arcola Theatre box office.

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