One Sun One World premieres at Albert Hall
27 October 2009
A WWF-commissioned musical for schools, One Sun One World, premiered at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 22 October 2009. And now we want to take it on tour…
A pioneering environmental musical, featuring a 1500-strong school choir and musicians from the English Chamber Orchestra and Royal College of Music, was performed to a packed Royal Albert Hall.
WWF has produced a number of musicals over the years, starting with the rainforest-themed Yanomano in 1983, narrated by David Attenborough.
For the past 12 months, every school in London’s Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has been involved in cross-curricular project work based on the themes of One Sun One World.
Many schools received music and movement workshops from the Royal College of Music and the English Chamber Orchestra. Artist Billie Evans worked as artist-in-residence in several schools, drawing on the visual themes of the piece. All of this work led up to the premiere, an exciting celebration of the project work completed in schools.
The work’s composers, Peter Rose and Anne Conlon, have created five environmental musicals for schools and have a long track record of working with WWF.
The 1500-strong London choir was joined on stage by St Augustine’s School in Blackburn, which has been involved in every musical by Peter and Anne. They were supported by an orchestra made up of musicians from the Royal College of Music and English Chamber Orchestra, with soloist Rodney Clarke. Former CBBC presenter Gemma Hunt provided narration between the songs.
Characters in the show – including the Wise Oak Tree (Clarke), Panda and Cacao (chocolate plant) – remind us of the great wonders of our natural world and the amazing threads of life that link every living creature.
The Children of The World highlight the interconnecting human threads of trade and communication, which have produced our exciting modern world. As the musical unfolds, the characters begin to doubt the sustainability of our life. But it ends on an upbeat note with a powerful reminder that we really do have the power to change the world.
Take part in One Sun One World
More than just a musical, it’s a way of engaging schools and children in a wide range of activities: singing, painting, writing and designing – an experience we’re sure they will never forget.
We’d like to thank everyone who made the evening so enjoyable – from the Albert Hall, who donated the use of the venue, to all the musicians, schools and students involved, including Glorival Orpilla, who designed the One Sun World logo.
Following the premiere, WWF aims to work with other partners and schools across the UK to stage 50 performances in WWF’s 50th anniversary year, which begins in April 2011.
WWF project manager Karen Gates says: “WWF is calling on schools and potential partners across the UK to come forward and register their interest. We will be providing comprehensive resources and support to help schools across the country realise this fantastic work.”
For more information go to www.wwf.org.uk/onesunoneworld or contact Karen Gates kgates@wwf.org.uk.
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