10 Plagues

10 Plagues

Music by Conor Mitchell
Libretto by Mark Ravenhill

July 2018

A seminal work in the song-cycle genre, 10 Plagues is part torch song, part Schubert. This groundbreaking piece of music-theatre traces one man's journey through a city in crisis, the great plague of 1665 and draws parallels with the 20th century emergence of AIDS.

Originally written for and performed by the singer Marc Almond, Belfast Ensemble presents a re-imaged cycle performed by cult cabaret drag artist Matthew Cavan, with the composer at the piano. Almond’s role will be re-imaged

10 Plagues embraces Belfast Ensemble’s trademark combination of music, live performance and video - a rare and urgent new work.  

A man in a suit crouching on a round wooden table on a stage, holding a microphone and speaking or singing, with a large screen or backdrop behind him.
A man in dark clothing singing into a microphone during a performance with a dark background and colorful lights.
A man in a dark suit and white shirt holding a microphone while looking to his right, standing near a large screen or wall made of stone or concrete.
A man with light-colored hair singing into a microphone in a dark room with some lights in the distance.

Performance Diary

2018

Lyric Theatre - Belfast

Sherman Theatre - Cardiff

Reviews

“firecracker theatre….a visceral hour of music. Intensely watchable, compelling listening.”

James Ellis - Arts Scene in Wales

PERFORMERS

Voice

Piano

Matthew Cavan

Conor Mitchell

Credits

Supported by

Black background with the word 'ARTS' in large gray letters
British Council logo featuring four blue circles arranged in a square pattern and the words 'BRITISH COUNCIL' in blue text.
A black and white image of a telescope pointed towards the night sky with stars visible.