Featured
-
GEORGE
Eliot in Words & Music
Harriet Walter, Hermione Norris, Sally Philips and SuRie bring George Eliot to bold and dramatic life, through Eliot’s novels, letters, journals, poetry and journalism.
“and, of course men know best about everything, except what women know better”
George Eliot is brought to bold and dramatic life, through Eliot’s novels, letters, journals, poetry and journalism.
The second richest woman of her day (after Queen Victoria), Eliot’s great works – Middlemarch, The Mill on the Floss, Adam Bede – and clear vision resonate as powerfully today.
Starring a guest leading actor (TBA) alongside acclaimed singer/songwriter, SuRie. Eliot’s story weaves around a dazzlingly creative music programme from David Le Page, and in tune with George Eliot’s radicalism, features music by 21st century female singer-songwriters including Kate Bush, Florence + the Machine and FKA twigs. Previous actors have included Harriet Walter, Hermione Norris, Sally Phillips.
The Courtyard’s orchestra in residence, Orchestra of the Swan, accompany SuRie. Internationally renowned for classical, pop and musical theatre, SuRie also won the Offie for Lead Performance in a Musical in 2024 for her portrayal of Annie in Annie Get Your Gun.
Written by
Deirdre Shields
Directed by
Judy Reaves
Music Arranged and Directed by
David Le Page & SuRie
GALLERY
REVIEWS
"The show’s uplifting soundtrack includes songs by contemporary female singer-songwriters, including Kate Bush, Florence Welch and Alison Moyet, alongside pieces composed for the show by SuRie and David Le Page. This is an important element of the show and is especially meaningful as Eliot was passionate about music and her writing is steeped in musical allusions."
Dr Diana Carroll
Arts Hub UK
"So, engrossing, entertaining, and intelligently put together, this production was, like both Eliot and the English language themselves, a brilliant creation that was greater than the sum of its parts."
Chris Parkinson-Brown
Salisbury Journal
The script was commissioned with thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players.
