Wild Arts : A very special Messiah with a difference this Christmas – to bring the stories alive and create a real connection with audiences

Handel: Messiah – Wild Arts at The Art Workers’ Guild 2023 (Photo: Lucy J Toms)

In 2023, the innovative young ensemble Wild Arts brought their powerful new take on Handel’s masterpiece to four venues in the UK.  In association with opera and theatre director Tom Morris (Breaking the Waves, Dr Semmelweis, War Horse), this semi-staged production of Messiah brought drama and pace to Handel’s legendary telling of the Christmas story, performed by eight solo singers and an instrumental ensemble of twelve players, led by Artistic Director Orlando Jopling. [see Robert’s review ‘A sense of dramatic narrative’].

For 2024, Wild Arts’ Messiah visits eight venues across England, including a first appearance at Smith Square Hall (formerly St John’s Smith Square) on 7th December.  

Orlando says, “I set up Wild Arts in 2022 because I wanted to take world class performances to beautiful places across the UK in an environmentally sustainable way.  I wanted to focus on the music and drama, working with the best singers and instrumentalists and allowing their acting, musicianship and communication to bring the stories alive and create a real connection with audiences, all with costumes, set and props that can be packed up into a couple of suitcases that we can take with us on the train. I’m so proud of our Messiah.  It embodies everything Wild Arts stands for and the audience reaction has been truly incredible.  It’s so exciting to be sharing this special production at venues that are new to us all over the country.”

Handel: Messiah – Wild Arts at The Art Workers’ Guild 2023 (Photo: Lucy J Toms)

The production runs from 2nd to 19th December with performances at Chelmsford Cathedral, Smith Square Hall, Hexham Abbey, Carlisle Cathedral, Lancaster Priory, Layer Marney Tower, Chichester Cathedral and Rochester Cathedral.  Full details of the tour can be found at Wild Arts’ website.