The internationally acclaimed music ensemble Paraorchestra are heading to London, bringing their pioneering commission SMOOSH! to the Southbank Centre on Saturday 24 June.
It is the first time SMOOSH! has appeared in the capital and dozens of Paraorchestra musicians and professional dancers will be joined by up to thirty local performers for a rip-roaring kaleidoscopic pop procession setting off from the Riverside Terrace at 3pm and 5pm.
SMOOSH! features wind, brass instruments and drums, with musicians playing a lively mix of well-known classics from the likes of Fatboy Slim, Kate Bush, Massive Attack, Basement Jaxx and Adele. Designed to break down barriers between audience and players, Paraorchestra works with partners in local communities as well as encouraging the public to dance and sing along.
Immediately following the London performances, SMOOSH! will head to Glastonbury, where Paraorchestra had an enormous impact when they last played there in 2019 on The Park Stage. They are also appearing in Plaistow, east London.
Composed by the multi-instrumentalist musician Emma-Jean Thackray, SMOOSH! is directed by award-winning conductor Charles Hazlewood and features choreography by Tom Jackson Greaves with Beth Hinton-Lever. It is Paraorchestra’s biggest commission to date and has already been enjoyed by thousands of people in Bristol and Brighton.
Formed by its Artistic Director Charles Hazlewood, Bristol-based Paraorchestra have gained a reputation for high quality musical performances that bring together professional disabled and non-disabled musicians, to produce and perform a mix of newly commissioned work and exciting interpretations of classical and popular music.
They have collaborated with a range of artists and performers, including Ivor Novello winner Hannah Peel, Jarvis Cocker, YolanDa Brown, Lianne La Havas, Will Gregory, Adrian Utley, Brett Anderson, Nadine Shah and Gwenno.
Paraorchestra are Associate Artists at Bristol Beacon and, as well as Glastonbury, have performed at the likes of the Royal Festival Hall, Wales Millennium Centre, Edinburgh Assembly Rooms, Sage Gateshead, Barbican and Bluedot Festival.
Paraorchestra Artistic Director, Charles Hazlewood, says: “We’re really excited to be kicking off the summer in celebratory style, by bringing SMOOSH! to the streets of the capital for the first time and heading back to Glastonbury. We’re looking forward to audiences joining in for a joyous live music performance. SMOOSH! is breaking down the barriers between orchestra and audiences and we can’t wait for them to help create a magical experience.
“In London, we’re delighted to be working with performers from the local community, who will be at the heart of the musical show, underpinning our commitment to build relationships in communities that are under-served for cultural activity. But whether you’re playing or watching, it’s going to be a glorious blast of musical fun.”
At the South Bank, it is presented as part of the Southbank Centre Classical Music programme.
SMOOSH! has been made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The Mark Leonard Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Linbury Trust, and Foyle Foundation.
Saturday 24 June 2023
Southbank Centre – starting from Riverside Terrace
Parade one – 3pm
Parade two – 5pm
