Hull Urban Opera presents It Must Have Been a Tuesday
Hull Urban Opera presents a new version of its moving and intimate storytelling event as part of this year’s Tête a Tête Opera Festival in Newcastle.
Inspired by the hit US podcast The Moth, It Must Have Been a Tuesday is a new rolling concept in which opera singers tell a true story about a powerful moment in their lives, conveyed in speech and song, accompanied by violin. The two stories at this event describe how a half-Indian British man discovered resilience in the face of racism and how it feels to discover and meet siblings you didnt know you had in Brazil!
It Must Have Been a Tuesday was created by HUO’s Artistic Director Russell Plows as a preparation for performers in an up-close, immersive style of performance. The aim is to remove all potential barriers to communication (no set, costume, character or libretto - the words are the singers’ own) resulting in a warm, direct delivery of often sensitive ideas. Since our performers are singers, the stories are conveyed through both speech and singing. They are not easy to tell, but HUO has nurtured the singers to make their delivery cathartic. Russell Plows says, ‘It takes courage to bare one’s soul in this way but we’ve found that audiences respond with tremendous empathy and gratitude’.
Stories in this cycle were first presented in Hull in 2021 with audiences describing the performances as ‘relatable and heartfelt’ and ‘very moving’. Hull Urban Opera has been taking Hull audiences and volunteers on a journey of discovery via the medium of immersive opera since 2017 in mostly new work touching on mindfulness, political satire, ghost stories and family secrets. It is one of only a handful of opera companies currently working in this way.
The true stories at this performance are written and performed by Neil Balfour and Joanna Gamble accompanied by Ellie Gaynard Evans on violin with music by Russell Plows. HUO’s most recent show The Party, was described by Reviews Hub as ‘brilliant and bonkers’ and our next performances will examine current gender wars via Milhaud’s opera Medea in September 2025 in Hull.
‘A company well worth keeping an eye on’ Martin Dreyer, Opera
‘…unlike anything you’ve ever seen before’ Chris Holmes, Reviews Hub
Venue: The Alphabetti Theatre, Tickets: £6.50, £17.50 and £29.50 Date: 27 Jun 2025 Time: 19:30 (30min) Box Office: 0131 226 0000, Website: https://www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/itmusthavebeenatuesday
