In February 2011 the Strings and senior flautists of Gateshead Youth Orchestra were asked to provide a musical accompaniment for the First Act Theatre company production of Don Taylor’s comedy Daughters of Venice.  

Set in 18th century Venice, ‘the daughters’ are orphans cared for by the Sisters of the Convent of the Pietà. The convent is famous for its girls’ choir and orchestra the ‘Coro’, under the direction of Vivaldi. The play follows the fortunes of three of the girls who, having reached the age of twenty, must decide how to make their way in the world.  Colourful characters such as the eccentric Vivaldi, an English Milord and his servant Bodger and a pair of scheing rogues, mixed with the pageantry of the Venice Carnival, masks and mystery lead to mistaken identity, mischief and a marriage proposal!

This was our second collaboration with First Act Theatre, one of the largest young peoples’ theatre companies in the country.  First Act Theatre provide performance opportunities training in lighting, sound, stage management, marketing and show direction and production.  Further details about the company can be found here

Photographs of the production can be found here