MATTHEW ROOKE
Work in Theatre
Current Projects:
Pelleas et Melisande:
re-orchestration for Byre Opera to a new translation of the libretto by Janice Galloway. - scheduled for summer Summer 2021
Opera Commissions:
An Cadal Trom (A Deep Sleep) commissioned by Lammermuir Festival, 2018
Companion piece to Britten's Noyes Fludde, written for same forces and large scale community involvement 1 hour
Flyting, Commissioned by Horsecross Arts 2011
An opera exploring 500 years of interactions between Scotland and Africa for soprano, baritone, strings, flute, keys and percussion, plus scottish lever harp, guitar, soprano sax, low D whistle and highland bagpipes, with optional choir.
Past Projects OPERA re-orchestrator and producer:
Carmen Nights:
Scenes from Bizet's Carmen, studio performance Berwick Festival Opera and direction premiere Autumn 2019
Pirates of Penzance:
New performing edition for small orchestra and directed performances in summer 2019
HMS Pinafore:
re-orchestration for conventional small orchestra Berwick Festival Opera and direction premiere summer 2018
Metal Baroque:
A Rock and metal re-invention of Baroque classics, Summer 2019
The Great Song of the North:
Multiple format celebration including public music and parade plus choral concert and livestream Autumn 2018
Rita:
re-orchestration for piano quintet (Piano, Violin, Cello, Flute/Pic/alto flute and Clarinet/bass Clarinet) Berwick Festival Opera February 2018
Cox and Box:
Berwick Festival Opera Piano performance, design and direction February 2017
Don Giovanni:
re-orchestration for Berwick Festival Opera and direction premiere summer 2017
The Vampyre:
Re-orchestration for Berwick Festival Opera Producer/Director/designer Autumn 2016
Iolanthe: :
re-orchestration for Berwick Festival Opera and direction summer 2016.
Die Walkure (Jonathan Dove/Birmingham Opera Version):
producer/Director Autumn 2015 .
The Mikado:
re-orchestration for Berwick Festival Opera and direction premiered summer 2015.
The Silken Ladder:
re-orchestration for Berwick Festival Opera and direction premiered summer 2015.
Dido and Aeneas:
New performing edition orchestrated for saxophone quartet, electric keyboard and and electric bass continuo and directed performances in summer 2014
Pirates of Penzance:
New performing edition for Marine Band (flute/pic, clarinet, guitar/mandolin, double-bass, violin, accordion and double-bass and directed performances in summer 2014
Trial by Jury :
re-orchestration for Berwick Festival Opera and direction premiere summer 2014.
Past Projects THEATRE:
A Scottish Christmas Carol:
Co-written and produced real time livestream, Christmas 2020
Carmen Nights:
Author and Director of a short comedy to precede scenes from Carmen Autumn 2020
&Sullivan:
Author and Director of a bitter-sweet comedy to precede Cox and Box, February 2017
La Mouche:
Author and Director of a new comic piece of theatre for three actors in mutliple roles premiered in spring 2014 - a playful homage to the 1958 classic film, The Fly.
What Happens...
Producer and performer in new work commissioned from Tayo Aluko featuring the poetry and writings of Jangston Hughes for Actor and three jazz musicians
Anthony and Cleopatra (Talawa)
Blood Wedding (Nationa Theatre)
King Lear (Talawa)
Othello (Talawa)
'Tis Pity She's a Whore (Talawa)
Oh What a Lovely War! (Leicester Haymarket)
Guys and Dolls(Leicester Haymarket)
The Snowman (Leicester Haymarket)
Dames at Sea (Leicester Haymarket)
Stepping Out (Leicester Haymarket)
Fat Pig - The Musical (Leicester Haymarket)
Not Fade Away (There Royal, Stratford East)