Earlier this year, I was commissioned by Smithsonian Magazine to photograph a really interesting story – an opera based on the life of Albert ‘Lal’ White an Olympic cycling champion in the 1920s.
Because of the magazine’s schedule the rehearsals were photographed long before costumes or props were really ready and unfortunately, none of these images (some of my favourites) were included in the final spread.
I work vary rarely in England and have never been to Scunthorpe (or Hull for that matter) but had a wonderful time largely due to James Beale‘s great company, Sue Hollingsworth‘s boundless enthusiasm and Kirsty Halliday‘s great organisational skills. Lastly, I should thank Smithsonian’s Associate Photo Editor, Jeff Campagna for sticking with me when I expressed disbelief that they actually wanted to send me to Scunthorpe… (which was pretty nice to be fair) when I was convinced he must have meant Sri Lanka…
UK – Scunthorpe – Jamie Beale, director of Cycle Song an opera about Albert ‘Lal’ White a champion cyclist photographed in front of the town’s steelworks
UK – Hull – Director Jamie Beale rehearses drama students from Hull University for their parts in the forthcoming production of Cycle Song in the Gulbenkian Theatre
UK – Hull – Drama students from Hull University rehearse for their parts in the forthcoming production of Cycle Song in the Gulbenkian Theatre
UK – Scunthorpe – Sue Hollingsworth, head of the Scunthorpe Cooperative Junior Choir leads a rehearsal for a production of Cycle Opera at Henderson Avenue Primary School
UK – Scunthorpe – A young girl forgets her lines at an audition for the production of Cycle Opera at Henderson Avenue Primary School
UK – Scunthorpe – Andrew Garbutt, Head of Music at the John Leggot Centre conducts members of the Youth Concert Band during rehearsals of Cycle Song. John Leggot Centre
UK – Scunthorpe – A young musician, part of the Youth Concert Band pulls faces during rehearsals of Cycle Song at the John Leggot College
UK – Scunthorpe – Erica Hardy leader of the Second Concert Band of the Youth Concert Band leads rehearsals of Cycle Song at the John Leggot College
UK – Scunthorpe – Two schoolgirls laugh and chat after gaining choir parts during auditions for a production of Cycle Opera at Henderson Avenue Primary School
UK – Scunthorpe – Schoolgirls chosen for the choir as part of the production of Cycle Opera practice for the first time in costume in the playground at Henderson Avenue Primary School after a thunderstorm
