The People’s Cabaret

Chapelfield

The culmination of a three year project with Norfolk communities, singer Jessica Walker and composer Luke Styles are joined by the Chroma Ensemble for a night of contemporary responses to the protest songs.

In 2023 we find ourselves living through times of unprecedented social, cultural and economic upheaval. Well…almost unprecedented. Track back 90 years, and there are striking parallels to be drawn with Europe and America in the 1930s, when Populism was on the rise, and much of the world found itself in the midst of a Great Depression. Back then, composers and writers responded to their times in biting, satirical tone.

The songs of Weill, Eisler, Spoliansky, Hollaender and Brecht ranted against racism, capitalism and oppression, until their authors were forced to flee the country, in fear for their lives.