Reviews

"Orpheus is a musical for children by Marc Forde which came into being, "after my working for years in primary and secondary schools in the borough of Lambeth, south London and realising how few musical resources most of them have to play with". The entire musical is presented on a single CD which also contains teachers' notes, background notes, help and advice on how to organise a performance, lyrics, score, narrative script and backing tracks. Everything, in fact. Narration is by Johnny Morris and the musical is performed by the Balagan Theatre, a children's group based in Lambeth. It might not be the definitive version, but next stop the West End!"
- Hugh John in TES

"I was delighted to be asked to review Marc Forde's new musical for children, Orpheus, on one of the technically astonishing new Enhanced CDs. I first realised the quality of Marc's music for children when I went to his production in Clapham of his work The Magick - as good an evening's theatre as I can recall. And when I found the late Johnny Morris is narrating Orpheus my heart leapt with joy - he was an old friend who I produced for various BBC local radio stations, in such wonderful inventions as Delilah the Sensitive Cow and Huanita the Spanish Lobster. Morris in Orpheus is in sparkling good form. It's great to hear his lovely and distinguished voice again. It adds real authority to a very interesting work. Marc's music is lively, rhythmic, melodic and inventive. One piece is written in 7/4 time, which gives it a jumpy, disturbing sound. The work is technically advanced, but more importantly, it sounds good. Children will have great fun putting it on, and their audiences will love it."
- Tim Pitt - BBC Producer in MU Magazine

"As a teacher who enjoys using new technology in new and exciting ways, I was excited when Orpheus was given to me for review. The cover looks exciting, and the addition of Johnny Morris as narrator is inspired. The Musical is based around the legend of Orpheus in the Underworld (but not the Offenbach version!), and can, as pointed out, be simply staged for children of most ages. The whole resource is on one CD, and uses Acrobat reader and Microsoft Media Player. This means that the resource can be developed as the teacher wishes, and cuts out a lot of extraneous paper that often accompanies such projects. The songs are wonderful, and include a great deal of imaginative use of the resources."
- Teacher on Boosey's Site

"Night out is pure MAGICK!" - News of the World

"South London youngsters cast a spell with their world premiere musical The Magick"
- South London Press

"Children's new play is just Magick!" - Streatham Guardian

"I like coming to Balagan because it gives me more confidence because I've got the chance to act in front of lots of people in real theatres. I like the music that we do because all the songs are very different. Coming to Balagan gives me the courage to other things as well, like if I have an exam or something, or I have to get up in front of my school. It's a good place to meet new friends. " - Actor

"My son enjoys himself enormously having had the opportunity to develop his confidence and skills in performance. It's great for him to be involved in this kind of 'outer school' group and he has made lots of new friends. Balagan has met a very great need for our son and he has benefited enormously from it. My gratitude goes to Marc and Ella for their enthusiasm and commitment."- Parent

"Marc Forde worked with our children on the making and production of Orpheus. It was a magical experience for them combining elements of music and myth making, narrative and drama. The project easily sat within the parameters of the National Curriculum but also went beyond that to reach important elements of emotional truth. I would be happy to endorse any musical or musical theatre project that Marc was involved in." - Headteacher

"I've become a lot more confident since joining Balagan and I have improved my singing a lot because I was really quiet before and I'd never sing by myself in front of my class or in front of anyone, but now I think it's fine! I like meeting loads of new people here. I like the music because it's such a mixture and it's new so everyone gets more excited about it."
- Actor

"It used to be so difficult to get my daughter involved in anything, but since joining Balagan Theatre Company she is much more willing to try new things. She has discovered her strength! She has become more confident, more responsible and self-disciplined. And she is much more enthusiastic and outward looking. She loves every bit of it!" - Parent

"It's always a laugh to work with Balagan because it's so much fun, and you don't know what will happen next. It's so much fun singing through Marc's ideas, and I look forward to working with Balagan again!" - Actor

"It has been a fantastic opportunity and a wonderful thing to tell people about. And to be able to work with professional musicians has been amazing. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and hope to work with Marc and Balagan again in the future." - Actor

"As the head of an inner-city primary school, I often see the desperate need for children to be given other experiences which can enrich their daily lives. Balagan's workshops are full of dynamism and energy, evidenced by the high quality of the work produced by the company. I am very happy to support this project as I recognise and greatly appreciate the enormous value that such an initiative adds to the lives of children within the local community."
- Headteacher

"I'd never sang in a foreign language before and now I feel really confident that I can."
- Actor

"The music that we sing with Balagan is different to other musicals - and it's great to sing new music! There's nothing like it. The music and lyrics are sometimes really challenging and complicated, and really stretch us as performers. It's not like anything we've ever done at school. I love it!" - Actor

Latest Releases

The Magick

The Magick (by Marc Forde), was a piece inspired by a painting by the Argentine artist Carybé, The Death of Alexandrina (A Morte de Alexandrina). It concerns the life of an adolescent girl (Alex) who discovers that she has magical powers.