Garland. Oliver Leith + Musarc at Bold Tendencies, 13 and 14 June 2026, 8pm

Garland, by visionary young composer Oliver Leith, is a large-scale work for orchestra and chorus of 130 performers, a spectacular procession of sound, music and singing with words by Charlie Fox and costumes by Ellen Poppy Hill. Commissioned by Bold Tendencies in Garland the carpark is both instrument and stage. Alongside the orchestral forces bespoke handmade instruments (tuned corrugated plastic straws and whirly tubes, button whistles, planks of wood and ceramic shards) are played, and shopping trolleys, bicycles, scaffolding poles and a horse all form part of the composer’s spell-binding sonic world. Garland is a work of total collaboration, bringing together exceptional artists and musicians of the new generation and professional and amateur singers. Following its popular and critical success last year this revival features the original cast (including soprano Patricia Auchterlonie, EXAUDI, GBSR Duo, 12 Ensemble, percussionists Sam Wilson, Craig Apps, Jake Brown, MUSARC and the Bold Chorus) led by conductors Naomi Woo, Jack Sheen and Musarc's own Musical Director, Oli Kitching, assisted by Tristan Weymes.