24 Italian Songs & Arias

A show about failure, by two award-winning failures. After failing to win numerous awards and after many unsuccessful funding applications, 24 Italian Songs and Arias is a recital, an opera, a gathering for (and by) those whose best isn’t always enough.

(Beloved) performance artist Brian Lobel failed to get into the New York State Choir. (Acclaimed) Soprano Gweneth-Ann Rand (4.48 Psychosis, Royal Opera House; Aida, English National Opera) failed to win at Cardiff Singer of the World. These two magnificent failures have joined forces to create a show about trying your best, aiming to please and how we ever know if we are ‘good enough’.

There’s no dress code…but you won’t be turned away for donning a top hat or silky gloves, should the mood strike you.

In collaboration with the choir of laGeste

Developed with support from The Yard, London, Certain Blacks and Arts Council England.

Press quotes:

It’s hard to resist the gorgeous final moments which remind that sometimes imperfection is far more interesting than flawless perfection, and often just having a go is a success in itself - Lyn Gardner - Stagedoor

Without romanticising failure or bitterly rehashing it, this is a performance about frustration, drifting and feeling ‘not good enough - Tatjana Damjanovic - The Spy in the Stalls