1st-26th May 2012 - Theatre 503, London
David recently finished work on the music for the world première of Shiverman by the New York playwright James Sheldon, which is currently being performed at Theatre 503 in Battersea, south London. Working again with Primavera Productions, with whom he recently composed the scores for the critically acclaimed Murder in the Cathedral and Antigone, the play has already received excellent reviews and two nominations for the Off West End Awards, including Best New Play.
Shiverman follows the story of a team of Western anthropologists who believe they have discovered the oldest music in the world within an ancient tribe on a Pacific island. However the forces of modernity are closing in on the tribe and their prehistoric traditions, and the only way to save their way of life - and their unique music - lies with securing the assistance of the United Nations. A battle of moral absolutes ensues when the academics weigh up the value of preserving an entire culture against providing basic human rights to the oppressed members of its community.
The musical score for Shiverman is somewhat unusual insofar as it involves only a single instrument - an emulation of the ancient Pacific flutes native to the tribe. Therefore a primitive musical style was required and, thanks to musicological analysis on the world's oldest known flute, a series of cues were written based on tiny motives of just two or three notes at a time.
Stewart Pringle from WhatsOnStage:
David Allen's music is evocative and understated ... Sheldon's script is provided with an excellent setting.
Shiverman is being performed until Saturday 26th May 2012 at 7.45pm with Sunday performances at 5pm. Tickets cost £9 / £14 and can be bought through Theatre 503's website.