LOST IN THE LOOPING GLASS
"Lost in the Looping Glass takes the notion of a solo violin recital and flips it on its head... It’s a thrilling re-imagining of sonic capabilities of the violin that makes for an enrapturing performance." - Matthew Tomich, Buzzcuts, Melbourne Fringe 2015
Lost in the Looping Glass – one violin, one performer, endless possibilities.
Let yourself travel through a series of extraordinary soundscapes without leaving your seat. Listen to universes unknown, ocean storms, even the fall of the Berlin Wall, created entirely by a lone violinist and her live looping equipment.
Lost in the Looping Glass sees international violinist Helen Bower gracefully move from one loop pedal to the next, creating, exploring and falling head first into each luscious new soundscape - to a world where the violin becomes so much more than it first appears.
Creating each performance from nothing right in front of you, Bower invites you to leave the day at the door, close your eyes and lose yourself in this acoustic wonderland as it emerges, evolves and unravels around you.
Let yourself travel through a series of extraordinary soundscapes without leaving your seat. Listen to universes unknown, ocean storms, even the fall of the Berlin Wall, created entirely by a lone violinist and her live looping equipment.
Lost in the Looping Glass sees international violinist Helen Bower gracefully move from one loop pedal to the next, creating, exploring and falling head first into each luscious new soundscape - to a world where the violin becomes so much more than it first appears.
Creating each performance from nothing right in front of you, Bower invites you to leave the day at the door, close your eyes and lose yourself in this acoustic wonderland as it emerges, evolves and unravels around you.
“It's not possible to convey the absorbing otherworld of the performance. Bower is a child playing with a fabulous toy, turning it over and over, testing and pushing its possibilities as far as they will go. Everything is admissible. She makes you want to join in. When the lights go up, she's beaming, just as rapturous as our applause.” – Lena Fransham, Theatreview, NZ Fringe 2016
Lost in the Looping Glass was created by Helen Bower in collaboration with Melbourne composer Charles MacInnes. It explores the use of live electronic looping in contemporary classical music and features works by composers Max Perryment (UK), Grace Huie Robbins (AUS), Charles MacInnes (AUS) and Ade Vincent (AUS).
PERFORMANCE SEASONS:
PERFORMANCE SEASONS:
- Melbourne Fringe 2015 - Scratch Warehouse
- FRINGE WORLD 2016 (Perth) - Four5Nine Bar
- NZ Fringe Festival 2016 (Wellington) - BATS Theatre
- White Night Festival 2017 - MPavilion, Melbourne
- Lost in the Looping Glass UK 2017 - London Edition - St Pancras Old Church,
- Lost in the Looping Glass UK 2017 - Newcastle Edition - Jesmond United Reformed Church (as part of SOUNDSCAPES)
- The Looping Glass Children's Concert - Newcastle, UK.
REVIEWS
(Please click on the links to see full reviews)
Melbourne:
"She plays her violin in such a way that it sounds nothing like a violin" - Matthew Tomich, Buzzcuts
"Bower has completely given herself over to the music" - Myron My, THEATRE PRESS
"Bower is a one woman orchestra, who uses her violin to create an incredible ambiance and striking melodies" - Erwan B, The Plus Ones
Perth:
"- an exploration of time, echoes and atmospheres" - Brandon Taylor, The Australia Times
"Moving this classical instrument into a new realm" - Rhiannon Bristow-Stagg, Weekend Notes
New Zealand:
"An absorbing otherworld" - Lena Fransham, Theatreview
"Lost in the Looping Glass is a dreamy, playful adventure through sound." - Brooke Matherly, Art Murmurs
Audience comments*:
"Wonderful, astonishing, innovative"
"Amazing, stimulating, chilling!"
"Magical, spell-binding, cosy"
---
"Relaxed, soothing, enlightening" (Children's Concert)
"Inclusive, child-friendly, imaginative" (Children's Concert)
"Talented, great, engaging" (Children's Concert)
*Taken from feedback forms at the Newcastle, UK performances
(Please click on the links to see full reviews)
Melbourne:
"She plays her violin in such a way that it sounds nothing like a violin" - Matthew Tomich, Buzzcuts
"Bower has completely given herself over to the music" - Myron My, THEATRE PRESS
"Bower is a one woman orchestra, who uses her violin to create an incredible ambiance and striking melodies" - Erwan B, The Plus Ones
Perth:
"- an exploration of time, echoes and atmospheres" - Brandon Taylor, The Australia Times
"Moving this classical instrument into a new realm" - Rhiannon Bristow-Stagg, Weekend Notes
New Zealand:
"An absorbing otherworld" - Lena Fransham, Theatreview
"Lost in the Looping Glass is a dreamy, playful adventure through sound." - Brooke Matherly, Art Murmurs
Audience comments*:
"Wonderful, astonishing, innovative"
"Amazing, stimulating, chilling!"
"Magical, spell-binding, cosy"
---
"Relaxed, soothing, enlightening" (Children's Concert)
"Inclusive, child-friendly, imaginative" (Children's Concert)
"Talented, great, engaging" (Children's Concert)
*Taken from feedback forms at the Newcastle, UK performances
Video Clips
The opening of the show at its premiere in Melbourne, Australia.
Sound-checking at Jesmond United Reformed Church in Newcastle, UK.
Mid-show, creating 'Storm' and the beginning of 'Birds' from Grace Huie Robbins' work 'Landscapes'.