Cool Fusion

St. Michael's Church Chester Sq, London
Chester Square, Victoria, London, SW1W 9HH
United Kingdom
http://www.stmichaelschurch.org.uk/

Lambeth Wind Orchestra
Putney Arts Theatre
Coronel Percussion
Cool Fusion Jazz
Cool Fusion Electronica
Mark Pampel (piano)
PIP Theatre Company

Cool Fusion is one of the largest voluntary-arts initiatives in the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. It presents a series of four performances of new music and drama in historic London venues, celebrating the Olympics and Paralympics within London's vibrant culture. It is a partnership of London Composers Forum, Colchester New Music and Putney Writers' Circle.

Developed collaboratively by twelve composers and four writers, Cool Fusion uses wind orchestra, percussion ensemble, electronics and actors to weave a narrative of exceptional human endeavour. The performance is framed by historical episodes, from sandals to scandals, chariots to wheelchairs, outside track to winners’ podium. These are interwoven with works exploring the parallels between music and physical culture, in rhythms of pace, endurance, determination and achievement.

For the St Michael's performance, Cool Fusion is joined by the PIP Theatre Company. PIP – Pursuing Independent Paths is a Westminster-based charity for young adults with learning disabilities; the PIP drama students will be presenting the premiere of Journey of the Torch, a music theatre piece presenting their interpretation of the Olympic torch’s journey from Greece to London, across a myriad of different land and seascapes. Showcasing the inimitable talents of PIP Theatre Company members, Journey of the Torch is the culmination of a series of workshops with composer Andy Bungay, writer Linda Redshaw and drama therapists Rebecca Blake and Alison Singleton. The PIP students have played a leading role in collaborative story development, creating a soundtrack and performing original music.

Texts and libretti for musical works are contributed by Rita Adam (Four Minute Mile), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Dorando: An Olympic Tale) and Linda Redshaw (Outside Track, Journey of the Torch). Additional non-musical drama pieces are contributed by Marcia Kelson and Dan Clarke.

This performance and outreach project are supported by Westminster City Council, Vital Regeneration and BNP Paribas, and by public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Mark Garnham : Fanfare for the Olympic Flame (London 2012)
David Arditti : Time and Tide
Cedric Peachey : Gold, Silver & Bronze
Alan Parsons : Fanfare for 2012
Mark Pampel : THE FINAL
PIP Theatre Company : Journey of the Torch
Martin Jones : Four Minute Mile
Phil Baker : Triumphal Laurels – Canzona ii from Canzonae Olympiae for Brass Quartet & Timpani
Luca Tieppo : Dorando: An Olympic Tale
Mark Pampel : Against the Odds
Stuart Russell : Distance/Time
Alan Taylor : Episode I from Five Incomplete Episodes
Andy Bungay : Outside Track
Alan Hilton : Olympic Fanfare