CITY VARIETIES SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO RECREATE SOUNDS OF VICTORIAN MUSIC HALL

The State of the Arts is excited to hear about the opportunity to get involved in recreating history at City Varieties Music Hall. Known as the longest continuous running music hall in Great Britain, the Grade II listed venue was originally built in 1865 and has since been restored to its full glory, showing the best in musicals, plays, comedy, music and film.

The Learning Team at City Varieties Music Hall is creating a film and sound installation to enhance theatre tours at the venue.  A soundscape in the auditorium will recreate the sounds of a busy Victorian music hall, giving tour participants the experience of travelling back in time to the late 1800s. Members of the public will be able to listen in on imagined conversations in the boxes and soak up the atmosphere and excitement during a performance.

In order to recreate the sounds of a packed Victorian auditorium, the Learning Team are looking for volunteers to chat, clap, cheer, boo and generally get rowdy. Volunteers’ voices will be recorded, but no filming or photography will take place. Audio recording will take place on Wednesday 14^th May 4pm-9pm at City Varieties, and refreshments will be provided.

A range of ages are needed and everyone is welcome, but especially those with Leeds or Yorkshire accents to more accurately reflect the voices that would have been heard in the 1800s. In addition to audience members, a number of volunteers are required to take on character roles and recreate snippets of imagined conversations, no more than 3 or 4 lines.  These will be blended into the soundscape to give the listener the impression of overhearing a conversation.

The team is looking to cast a number of characters, both male and female, aged approximately 10 – 65. No acting experience is required, just plenty of enthusiasm!

If you would like more information or are interested in taking part, please contact Andy Wheatcroft at Cosmic Carrot on 07957 193913 or email [email protected]

To speak to a member of the Learning Team at City Varieties please call 0113 391 7783/1 or email [email protected]