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Coventry is home to people from all walks of life, and the people around us have extraordinary stories to tell. Local artist Paul O'Donnell has brought together six residents of Cov to tell their stories, supported by an epic score from the region’s most established chamber orchestra, Orchestra of the Swan. This is a unique theatrical symphony. It is a Symphony of Us. Read about Symphony of Us
Go CV+ discount available. Get up to 4 tickets at up to 50% off per cardholder. Limited tickets available. Add your Go CV number to your Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 account to access discounted tickets. Find out more about Go CV.
Image by Andrew Moore.
These proud Coventrians, either born in the city or who have made it their home, are teachers, are parents, are quietly changing the world. They are a little part of ‘us’. The sort of people who rarely get a live orchestra to sing their praises.
Come and celebrate the funny, surprising and joyful stories that make up our city. Brought together by a full Cov creative team, including Ivor Novello winning Composer Daniel Fardon and award-winning Director Tessa Walker.
This is a unique theatrical symphony. It is a Symphony of Us.
Nor Aziz looking at the leaves of a plant she holds between her fingertips, image by Andrew Moore
The Community Pollinator
I believe that even when the flowers are not blooming they still talk to each other under the ground.
Born in Malaysia, Nor looks at the world through looking at her garden. She sees her six children blooming in their own ways, she creates community events in Canley inspired by the way her flowers exist alongside each other and feels her faith continue to grow.
Moz Baker wears a Coventry City Football tracksuit top and smiles whilst holding a Coventry City FC scarf above their head. Image by Andrew Moore
The Leader of a Movement
I will always remember my first visit to Highfield Road. The noise of the crowd, the smell of the stadium.
A Cov kid, born and bred. A father to two children. A lifelong CCFC supporter. Moz ‘just wanted to be a fan’ but accidentally became Chair of the Sky Blue Trust. So began his journey in the successful campaign to bring CCFC back home to Cov. Where they belong.
WATCH MOZ'S VIDEO
Duncan Brightside sits crossed leg on a classroom table looking at a book with their hand held up. Image by Andrew Moore
The Supporter of Youngsters
I call them ‘my children’, whilst they are in my classroom they are ‘my children’.
A primary school teacher, a passionate LGBTQ+ advocate, a lover of Star Wars. Duncan
also accidentally became a Chair of Prism LGBTQ+, a network offering support to young people coming to terms with their gender and/or sexuality. He offers the support that he didn’t have as a child, he builds a logical family for those young people who need it, he lets them laugh and talk and be.
Sam Collinge stands with their arms crossed in a hospital doorway. Image by Andrew Moore
The Hand Holder
Often people say to me, I couldn’t do your job. But I don’t see it as a job, I see it as a great privilege.
A mother of two. A wife of Mark. An NHS bereavement midwife. Sam offers love, support and care to families when they need it the most. An honorary Coventrian, the city grew her career, family and her children. And although they live in Stratford now, she never lets them forget that they are her ‘Cov Kids’.
Lynette Coulston smiles to the camera wearing ceremonial dress. Image by Andrew Moore
The Minister of Joy
I will always speak for Coventry because Coventry has been good for my children. And for me.
An 87 year old Spiritualist Minister and a retired secondary school teacher, Lynette was born in Guyana but she can talk for England. A newbie to the city, coming here first in 1955 she has lived in Coventry, the city she calls home, for more than half of her life. Lynette has given birth to 9 children, has 17 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren and supports families who have lost loved ones through PTSD.
Roze Navab stands with their hands in their pockets in front of some steps leading to the side of a building. Image by Andrew Moore
The Global Connector
A show about me? In the cathedral? But I’m utterly boring!
Roze is a 22 year old who was born in Iran, coming to Coventry aged 2 she has lived as a ‘Cov kid’ ever since. After a chance encounter with a tapestry in the Town Hall she was inspired by Coventry’s Twin City history and aged 19 set up Twin Studios Projects. From Dresden to Volgograd, Cork to Kecskemét, from Coventry to Coventry (the one in Connecticut), Roze is building creative connections with our twins across the world.
An original idea by Paul O’Donnell
Created in collaboration with Nor Aziz, Moz Baker, Duncan Brightside, Lynette Coulston, Sam Collinge, Daniel Fardon, Roze Navab, Tessa Walker.
Writer - Paul O’Donnell
Original composition and conductor - Daniel Fardon
Director and dramaturg - Tessa Walker
Producer - Paul O’Donnell
Producer Support - Sarah Jane Watkinson
Access Producer - Lisa Franklin
Production Manager - Thomas Langford
Sound Designer - Drew Coleman
Lighting Designer - Arnim Friess
Participation Advice - François Matarasso
The Cathedral benches aren't the most comfortable, we recommend that attendees bring with them a cushion for added comfort. A very small amount will be available at the venue.
Please note there is no cloakroom available. We encourage visitors to keep any coats or small bags with them at their seat and to not bring any large bags (bigger than 30cm x 40cm or A3 paper size) where possible. Bag searches will be in operation.
The team behind Symphony of Us are working hard to ensure that it is as widely accessible as possible.
All performances will be BSL interpreted and translated into Polish, Urdu, Gujarati, Chinese and Arabic.
Please find the Access Pack and Easy Read Guide available to download here:
If you have any questions or suggestions or require any further information that is not provided please contact us on [email protected].
