It is I, Seagull programme notes
Opera singer Lucy Mellors started writing It is I Seagull after learning about an all-male team producing a new opera exploring female nudity. Having encountered sexism throughout her career and seeing her own mental health suffering as a result, Lucy was inspired to shine a light on some of the problematic practices within the creative industries.
Lucy coupled her own experience with that of women from her hometown of Gosport, where she ran a series of creative workshops exploring their personal stories.
Lucy’s interest in space travel provided further inspiration as she explored the stories of Valentina Tereshkova (the first woman in space) and Valentina Ponomaryova (almost the first woman in space). Fusing contemporary experiences with those of the Soviet cosmonauts, Lucy uses It is I, Seagull to explore the way women often must sacrifice their self-respect, mental health and safety in pursuit of a dream. Or just a job.
It is I, Seagull uses opera and comedy to expose some searing truths about the way women are treated and leaves us questioning how far we should be willing to go in order to achieve something extraordinary.
Lucy would like to extend special thanks to Kate Hadley, Anna Carr, Michael Pollock, Laura Reid, Spinney Hollow, Glen Jevon, Matt and Aidan at SoCo Music Project, to all our workshop participants, to our partner venues, to my friends at Portsmouth City Council, to Jen Fletcher, to the staff at April House, to mum and dad, to JB for the intel, to my incredible friends, and to everyone at team Seagull - Vic, Serena, Victoria, Sophie, Claire, Amelia, Kate, Yas, David, Indi, Ollie, Jemma, Min and Nikki.
Funders
It is I, Seagull has been supported by three Arts Council England Project Grants, The Fenton Arts Trust, the Winship Foundation, and the Richmond Douglas Charitable Trust. Lucy had Artist Residencies at MAST Mayflower Studios and Proteus Theatre to develop the show. The Adelaide run is supported by a Fringe First Award from the Australian Government and Arts Unlimited.
We are currently raising money for Adelaide via a crowdfunder, you can check it out here!
HUGE thanks to all our funders so far xxx
Music
If you enjoyed the music in the show, you can find the playlist here!
It is I, Seagull contains music by Jessie J, Handel, Britten, Shostakovich, Bill Conti, Britney Spears, Orff, Charpentier, The Red Army Choir, Mozart, James Horner, Anna Meredith and M83.
It also contains an original song ‘I’m Gonna Be The First’ written by Kate Mellors and Lucy Mellors, and a piece of vocal improvisation.
You can watch the music video for ‘I’m Gonna Be The First’ here! The video has been produced by Glen Jevon and directed by Kate Hadley, and was filmed at MAST Mayflower Studios.