New opera ditches remote exotic islands for Scottish coast, blending history and H.G. Wells (event news).
If you’ve ever dreamt of an opera that fuses the eerie tales of H.G. Wells with Scottish folklore and a touch of environmental reflection, then Glasgow’s the place to be in 2024. This cheeky adaptation, set to debut at the SEC Armadillo during the World Science Fiction Convention (aka the Worldcon), features a Scottish isle setting for the story of Dr. Moreau.
Entitled “Morrow’s Isle,” this ambitious project sees Scottish sci-fi author Ken MacLeod at the helm. He’s the man behind the thrilling Lightspeed series, where undercover spacecraft development takes place near Faslane Naval Base. Drawing inspiration from his own travels along Scotland’s Clyde Coast, MacLeod has reimagined Wells’ island of beastly experiments. “There’s a rich fantasy history here in Scotland, with witches, the supernatural, and even a sprinkle of social media and climate change,” quipped MacLeod.
But every good story needs a soundtrack, and for this, the Canadian-born British composer Gary Lloyd steps in. With a portfolio that includes collaborations with Scottish novelist Iain Banks, Lloyd is aiming to woo sci-fi fans to the opera. “And because it’s set in Scotland, there’s going to be a piper – it’s practically obligatory,” he chuckled.
Brace yourselves for dance, as Lloyd’s wife, the award-winning Bettina Carpi, will be sprinkling her choreographic magic on the production. Esther MacCallum-Stewart, Chair of Glasgow 2024, expressed excitement about the upcoming spectacle, which draws inspiration from a landscape just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Glasgow.
So if you’re in the mood to see what happens when a rogue scientist, a hint of environmental concern, Scottish history, and opera collide, don’t miss out on this genre-bending extravaganza!
Glasgow 2024 World Science Fiction Convention runs from 8th-12th August 2024 . For tickets and a full programme, visit their official website or find them on your socials via @Glasgowin2024.
