Messiah in cinemas

This acclaimed production was developed by Tony Award-winning Artistic Director of the Bristol Old Vic, Tom Morris OBE and Music Director of Southbank Sinfonia, Simon Over and provided a rare chance to see a dreamatic contemporary account of Messiah.

The well known story explores the drama and struggle of faith, showing a group of people whose grief at the loss of their leader is transformed into hope through a narrative of resurrection. Through their despair, the Apostles gradually realise their mission is to redeem the world by sharing the story of Jesus’ life and death.

Making classical music accessible

Captured by The Space for screen audiences, the filmed production allowed audiences to rediscover the spirituality of its familiar arias and choruses and Tom Morris interprets Handel’s score as a dramatic text about the relationship between shattering grief and the muscular hope of religious faith.

The work was seen in cinemas across the world for one night only on 28 March.

This production explored new ways of presenting classical music, opening it up to new interpretation and new audiences with on-stage seating, projection, powerful dramatisation and the famous Bristol Proms rules – allowing Handel’s greatest work to fizz with accessibility once again.