The ORCHESTRAL FOREST

Creative Direction | Experience Design | Sound Design | Production

STEP INTO A FOREST OF MUSICIANS

Client: Sinfonia Smith Square | Year: 2024

The audience were free to wander amongst a forest of musicians in this immersive experience about Britain’s endangered rainforests.

Combining a live orchestra, soundscapes, narration and theatrical movement, The Orchestral Forest allowed those in the hall to follow their curiosity and find instruments or vantage points which most interested them within a story-led concert.

I conceived and developed the project, recorded rainforest soundscapes in Wales and Scotland, and collaborated with movement director Imogen Knight to bring the final performance to life.

My role

Creative Director / Sound Designer / Producer

Developed the creative concept, narrative and audience experience
Curated artistic collaborators
Designed and recorded soundscapes
Collaborated with musicians, theatre artists and subject-experts
Led production and delivery
Managed budget and key stakeholders

IMPACT

Sold-out performance in London
Attracted a largely new audience (68% first-time bookers)
Strong audience and press feedback
Invitation for a repeat performance in Harrogate

Part of Sinfonia Smith Square’s #ConcertLab series
Venue: Smith Square Hall, London
Event photography and videography: Sophie Oliver

PRESS REVIEWS

“Audience involvement in this concert was like nothing I’d ever experienced. Initially mesmerized, we soon began to wander, enchanted by the unfolding music that seemed to guide our movement in the room.”

Stage to Page - 4.5 Stars

“Sinfonia Smith Square explore timely fears and possibilities for our shared future. They create a memorable hour of flawless playing, innovative staging and redemptive emotional power.”

The Reviews Hub - 4.5 Stars

“such a shake up of format to the classical tradition, creating an eye-opening celebration of these ecosystems is a spectacular treat – I can guarantee you’ve simply never heard music performed quite like this before.”