Tag: Basilique Performing Arts Company

In December 2013, I was one of several bloggers who provided preview notice of the upcoming new production from the Basilique Performing Arts Company, which will be opening to the public in Spring 2014.

Paradise Lost: The story of Adam and Eve’s original sin is an ambitious and sweeping re-telling of original sin based on John Milton’s Paradise Lost, choreographed and set to the fourteen movements of Mozart’s Requiem Mass in D minor.

The creation of Canary Beck and Harvey Crabsticks, the new production will last about an hour and comprise three Acts: The Creation, The Fall and The Expulsion. Through each, we will follow Satan, as he builds Hell, God as he creates the Garden of Eden, the Tree of Knowledge, Adam … and Eve; witness Satan’s beguiling of Eve, watch as she and Adam wilfully lust for one another in the face of God’s anger, only to be banished from the Garden of Eden; then finally, watch all that came after: the battle between  the forces of Good and Evil, and Adam and Eve’s lives after Eden. All have been specially choreographed, and each act will comprise a number movements from Mozart’s Requiem.

The Basilique Performing Arts Company have today released the second in a series of trailer for this new piece, which builds on the initial teaser as it reveals God creating Adam and “the beasts of the field”.  It is another marvellous piece which again demonstrates that Paradise Lost: The story of Adam and Eve’s original sin promises to be a very special production.

I recently wrote about of Romeo + Juliet, a unique re-imagining of Shakespeare’s tale of love, loss and tragedy, performed by the Basilique Performing Arts Company, and which features an inspired mix of  renaissance-inspired sets, 1940s costumes, and contemporary music.

While that production is set to continue until around mid-February, and is a must-see for anyone who hasn’t yet taken the opportunity to do so, the Company has now announced its next major – and equally ambitious –  undertaking.

In Spring 2014, the Basilique Performing Arts Company will be premiering Paradise Lost: The story of Adam and Eve’s original sin, choreographed and set to the fourteen movements of Mozart’s Requiem Mass in D minor.

Based on Milton’s epic blank verse poem, the production has been conceived and developed by the creative team of Canary Beck and Harvey Crabsticks. Each performance will run for some 60 minutes and comprise three Acts: The Creation, The Fall and The Expulsion. Through each, we will follow Satan, as he builds Hell, God as he creates the Garden of Eden, the Tree of Knowledge, Adam … and Eve; witness Satan’s beguiling of Eve, watch as she and Adam wilfully lust for one another in the face of God’s anger, only to be banished from the Garden of Eden; then finally, watch all that came after: the battle between  the forces of Good and Evil, and Adam and Eve’s lives after Eden. All have been specially choreographed, and each act will comprise a number movements from Mozart’s Requiem.

This promises to be a most amazing production, as demonstrated in the preview trailer – best watched full screen and in HD, if possible.

Paradise lost: The Story of Adam and Eve’s Original Sin will be staged at the Basilique Playhouse. All performances will be free, and the schedule will be announced in due course, and reported in these pages.

So get set for what is likely to be one of the highlights of the Second Life cultural calendar in 2014!

Baz Luhrmann isn’t the only one to bring a contemporary beat to that most famous of tragic love stories of all times: Romeo and Juliet. Throughout most of 2013, The Basilique Performing Arts Company has been presenting its own unique re-imagining of Shakespeare’s tale of love, loss and tragedy.

Conceived, directed and narrated by Canary Beck, Romeo + Juliet presents the story of star-crossed lovers in an inspired mix of  renaissance-inspired sets, 1940s costumes, and contemporary music from the likes of Nat King Cole, Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, Michael Buble, Jack Black, Carl Douglas, Moby, Duran Duran, The Indigo Girls, Queen and more. At two hours in length, the show is a veritable tour de force of the creative and collaborative capabilities of the Second Life platform, and sets new standard for presenting dramatic pieces within SL, combining dance, animations, voice-overs, dialogue and an unforgettable sound track.

The show is now into its winter season, and if you haven’t seen it yet, now is the time to set a date in your diary and make sure you get along to the Basilique Playhouse to see this extraordinary show for yourself.

Upcoming dates are as follows – all times SLT:

December 2013:

• Sunday December 8th 12:00 noon
• Saturday December 14th: 13:00

January 2014:

• Sunday January 4th: 12:00 noon
• Saturday January 11th: 13:00
• Sunday January  19th: 13:00
• Saturday January 25th: 12:00 noon

February 2014:

• Saturday February 1st: 13:00
• Saturday February 8th: 13:00
• Friday February 14th: 13:00

Notes on Attending a Performance

Do note that the Basilique Playhouse is located on an Adult-rated region, and that age verification is required in order to teleport there. The show itself does not feature sex or nudity, although one scene does suggest sexual relations. All performances are free, but gratuities to the cast and crew are always appreciated.

In order to enjoy the performance to the fullest, it is recommended that audience members:

• Remove unnecessary scripted attachments (hair, accessories, and shoes tend to be the worst offenders)
• Turn off nametags and Look-ats
• Wear mesh if possible
• Keep local chatter and gestures between scenes only
• Set the following in their viewers:
  • Advanced Lighting Model: on
  • Shadows to Sun/Moon and Projectors
  • Audio stream: on (stream address: http://67.207.134.134:8000/stream)

Related Links

• Basilique Playhouse (Rated: Adult)
• Romeo + Juliet blog (Canary Beck)