Press information
| Name of show | The Horizon Venture |
| Producers | Taylormade Studios, The Shrine, The Arts Council England, Factorum Films |
| Artistic director | Vidal Montgomery Taylor |
| Genres | science fiction, jazz fusion, physical theatre |
| Short description | Tales of interplanetary diaspora told through music, drama, video and spoken word. |
| Long description | Seven short sci-fi stories with a live jazz soundtrack; author Vidal Montgomery directs and performs in a live show inspired by his book. The Horizon Venture. The show tells a tale of interplanetary diaspora through music, drama, video and spoken word.
2009 marked the 400th anniversary of the launch of the Sea Venture, a privately financed ship which set sail from England headed for the New World, laden with enslaved African humans forced into establishing colonial settlements. Today, the leader of that New World is of African descent. And, 40 years after the Apollo Space Program began its quest for the moon, that leader says “There is another generation of kids out there that is looking up at the sky and they’ll be the next Armstrong, Collins and Aldrin”. As we take our first tentative steps in exploring worlds beyond our own, the Horizon Venture asks: Who will pioneer the next generation of space exploration ? How will we inhabit new worlds when we find them ? Who will benefit? And who will do the dirty work? The Horizon venture is a futuristic retrospective on the expansionist nature of men, and the consequences for mankind, And womankind. And alienkind |
| Synopsis | With the world predicted to end in 2012, it’s time to start looking for another one… The Horizon Venture tells the story of a time and a place where humans are not the dominant force, and follows the choices that different individuals make in coming to terms with this new status.
After the Colonial Wars – a failed attempt by Man to dominate the new planet – a fragile peace now ensues. Before the natural inhabitants of Horizon-3 share the technology to restore Earth to her natural beauty, men must first convince these inhabitants that they can handle the technology responsibly. However, this will take some time, and there are those who are not prepared to wait… |
| Artist biography | Artistic director Darren Vidal Montgomery Taylor has been the driving force behind artists such as Courtney Pine, Denys Baptiste, Carleen Anderson, Steve Williamson, Orphy Robinson, Jean Toussaint, J-life, Julie Dexter, JazzXchange, Robert Miles, Break Reform, Nathan Haines, Imaani (incognito), and most recently The Jazz Warriors AfroPeans, The Omar Puente Band, The Mighty Jeddo, and Jerry Dammers Spatial AKA Orchestra.
Classically trained, Taylor has travelled around the world and performed in North and South America, China, Japan, Western and Eastern Europe, His cosmopolitan style is underpinned by London street vibe that reflects the Reggae, Funk, Hip Hop and soul which is in the Jazz of today. He is ever at the vanguard of British Urban Music, creating new jazz traditions, and taking the music forward into the millennium. |
| Sample Video | At http://www.thehorizonventure.com/archives/category/video |
| Sample Photos | At http://www.flickr.com/photos/thehorizonventure/ |
| Sample Audio | At www.myspace.com/thehorizonventure |
| Online Media | www.thehorizonventure.com |
| Other Featured Artists | ( lineup subject to change)
Nicole Pschetz – Physical Theatre Robert Mitchell – Keys Chris Jerome – Keys Nanar Vorperian – Vocals |
| Previous Peformances | Sept 2009 Jackson’s Lane Theatre – Archway
Oct 2009 Robin Howard Dance theatre [ The Place Theatre ] Euston Nov 2009 Hextable Dance [ Private show- Educational Workshop ] Jan 2010 Rich Mix – Bethnal Green |
| Previous reviews | From Stephen Graham, Jazzwise Magazine [click here to read]
From William Mathieson, www.williammathieson.com [click here to read] |
| Future Performances | Pending |
| Sponsors | Project supported by The Arts Council England
Backline courtesy of Mark Bass Amplification Double Bass supplied by Oakdene Music Services Electric Upright bass supplied by Mo Clifton Recording mics by Sound Engineering |
