My Father Cannot Speak
‘Some years ago the museum locked its doors
And sealed, for good, the past within its walls.’
My Father Cannot Speak is a new one-man, one-act opera.
Noted composer and conductor Ben Parry, together with his long-time collaborator, writer and award-winning opera director Garth Bardsley, are creating a full-length drama that recounts an extraordinary true tale of illness and loss, deceit and betrayal that to this day leaves many questions unanswered.
A father suffers a stroke that robs him of his power of speech. Immediately following this tragic event his family discover that the man they thought they knew, has been lying to them for decades. Has the stroke truly silenced him or is it shame and humiliation that have ‘closed the museum doors’? The protagonist attempts to come to terms with his father’s actions and in doing so discovers that ‘love alone can bear the burden of truth’.
It is primarily a story about truth versus lies, the importance of our shared history and the legacy we leave our children. ‘My Father Cannot Speak’ is a thought-provoking piece that is engaging, humorous, whimsical, touching and entertaining.
Accompanied by a small ensemble the piece will last approximately 75 mins and will be fully staged.
School Rules! – All You Ever Wanted To Know About Education But Couldn’t Be Bothered To Ask
A School Play for 11 - 15 year olds by Garth Bardsley
with songs by Garth Bardsley and Ben Parry
School Song
Plain Song
A Song About A Song
Song For Girls
Spare The Rod (And Spoil The Child)
A Song To End The Show
Premiere performance 3rd July 2012 at Dauntsey's School, Wiltshire
The Highwayman
A stage musical - book and lyrics by Garth Bardsley with music by Ben Parry
Premiere performances 11th-13th April 2008 at Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam, NY, USA, conducted by Kirk Severtson
‘Some years ago the museum locked its doors
And sealed, for good, the past within its walls.’
My Father Cannot Speak is a new one-man, one-act opera.
Noted composer and conductor Ben Parry, together with his long-time collaborator, writer and award-winning opera director Garth Bardsley, are creating a full-length drama that recounts an extraordinary true tale of illness and loss, deceit and betrayal that to this day leaves many questions unanswered.
A father suffers a stroke that robs him of his power of speech. Immediately following this tragic event his family discover that the man they thought they knew, has been lying to them for decades. Has the stroke truly silenced him or is it shame and humiliation that have ‘closed the museum doors’? The protagonist attempts to come to terms with his father’s actions and in doing so discovers that ‘love alone can bear the burden of truth’.
It is primarily a story about truth versus lies, the importance of our shared history and the legacy we leave our children. ‘My Father Cannot Speak’ is a thought-provoking piece that is engaging, humorous, whimsical, touching and entertaining.
Accompanied by a small ensemble the piece will last approximately 75 mins and will be fully staged.
School Rules! – All You Ever Wanted To Know About Education But Couldn’t Be Bothered To Ask
A School Play for 11 - 15 year olds by Garth Bardsley
with songs by Garth Bardsley and Ben Parry
School Song
Plain Song
A Song About A Song
Song For Girls
Spare The Rod (And Spoil The Child)
A Song To End The Show
Premiere performance 3rd July 2012 at Dauntsey's School, Wiltshire
The Highwayman
A stage musical - book and lyrics by Garth Bardsley with music by Ben Parry
Premiere performances 11th-13th April 2008 at Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam, NY, USA, conducted by Kirk Severtson