Award-winning theatre company Metta Theatre is offering theatre-lovers a first look and listen to the company’s newest environmental musical The Minotaur.
Reuniting the creators of Metta’s climate crisis-themed musical Housefire, the new eco rock musical has a book and lyrics by Metta’s award-winning artistic director P Burton-Morgan and music by Felix Hagan.
The all-star voice cast on the EP is headed by Janie Dee as Pasiphae and Arthur Darvill as Theseus. They are joined by Zweyla Mitchell dos Santos as Ariadne, Neil McDermott as Daedalus and Robin Simoes da Silva as Icarus.
Alongside the EP, Metta has released a music video of the track ‘Singing Our Song’ featuring Sue Appleby as Pasiphae (with vocals by Zweyla Mitchell dos Santos) and Natasha Julien as Ariadne (with vocals by Janie Dee). The film is choreographed by Mark Smith, with Andy Staples as director of photography, edited by William Reynolds, and with BSL translation by Deepa Shastri.
Commissioned by digital support agency The Space and Metta Theatre, the EP and music video have been created to raise awareness of climate justice and to serve as a ‘digital calling card’ to venues and producers in the hope of attracting support as the work is developed into a large-scale musical. The full production will feature five professional performers and a community cast of 100.
Commenting on the project, artistic director and resident designer, William Reynolds said: “After a year of extremes, climate breakdown is no longer an idea for the future, but a visceral reality across the world – and Putin’s weaponisation of energy starkly highlights the danger of our addiction to the fossil fuels causing all the damage. It’s never been more pressing for theatre to engage with the Climate & Ecological Crises, and after pioneering environmental sustainable production for over a decade I’m so excited to be developing this urgent and optimistic show which engages so deftly with such huge, vital issues of climate justice and the power of community.”
Burton-Morgan added: “This year has shown even those on the fence that we can no longer ignore the threat of the climate crisis. This new musical unpacks some of the climate crisis complexities but most of all engages on an emotional level with a subject that sometimes feels too big to connect to. And as always there’s a seed of hope.”
Established in 2005 by writer and director Burton Morgan and designer Reynolds with a strong commitment to developing new British musical theatre and an emphasis on environmental issues, Metta is firmly established as one of the UK’s leading mid-scale touring companies.
In 2020, artistic director William Reynolds launched Metta Green – a climate change and sustainability consultancy offering tailor-made practical advice for organisations and institutions across the arts, creative and education sectors. In 2022, Metta also launched MettaMorphosis, a programme of free artist mentoring and support.
Angela Thomas
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