Lost in Music comes to North Edinburgh Arts

Collaboration reflects the inner thoughts, fears and aspirations of 2019’s young generation through an ancient myth

Lost in Music, Scottish director Nicholas Bone’s collaboration with composer Kim Moore (who also produces work as WOLF) has its UK premiere at North Edinburgh Arts from 1 – 2 March and then plays at Platform, Glasgow on 6-7 March 2019.

An intriguing and engaging mix of gig-theatre and verbatim performance, Lost in Music features new songs inspired by the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice – the story of a talented musical couple’s journey to hell and back – and the voices of young musicians talking about what music means to them and how it informs their lives, friendships and sense of self.

The script and music has been developed alongside workshops with young people at Craigroyston Community High School in Muirhouse and at Platform and Glasgow Kelvin College in Easterhouse, Glasgow.  

This is the first time that Magnetic North has made work for younger audiences and it has been created alongside longer-term residencies in the places where it will be performed. During rehearsals for the performances at North Edinburgh Arts and Platform in Glasgow, two groups of young musicians are taking part in workshops and rehearsals. The performances will give them the opportunity to perform to an audience as part of a professional cast.

Young people have always used music in many ways: as a source of identity; to create comfortable, safe places; to cheer themselves up; for inspiration and motivation. From the workshops and interviews held during the development of Lost in Music, it is clear that this is still true, even as the internet and streaming create new ways for young people to find out about and make music.

Lost in Music is inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice: the original story of a talented musical couple’s journey to hell and back. This story about the power of music has been told and retold for thousands of years in opera, film, literature and music.

Nicholas Bone, Artistic Director of Magnetic North. said: “‘Lost in Music’ represents several new developments for Magnetic North. This is the first time we have set out to create a performance about and for teenagers; all the development work has taken part in the areas where it will be performed and we have built creative partnerships with young musicians in each city.  

“Young people will help us tell a timeless story at a local venue in partnership with a team of professionals. We want to take this model of working on tour next year and build partnerships with young musicians in locations around Scotland.”

Lost in Music includes songs co-written by Kim Moore (Wolf), Alex Neilson (from Scottish folk rock group Trembling Bells), Jill O’Sullivan (of Glasgow three-piece Sparrow and the Workshop, and pop duo bdy_prts), Emily Phillips, and Claire Willoughby.

In these uncertain economic times, with Brexit’s impact yet unknown, music can help young people make sense of the world around them.