Performer Name: Sarah Moody & Hugh Lupton

Show Name: When the Morning Stars Sang

Show Description

When the Morning Stars Sang Demons, archangels & djinns; hoopoes, swallows, fish, donkeys and maggots; kings, queens, merchants, fools and the voice from the heart of the whirlwind all contend in this rich interweaving of Apocryphal and Old Testament mystery tales drawing from Jewish, Islamic and Christian sources. Audiences will encounter Adam and Eve, Solomon and Sheba, Tobias and the Angel, Job and his Comforters... stories that underpin our culture... told in the picture language of the heart, with vigour and humour, with rich language and deep magic. This is a chance to shake off old habitual pieties and hear these ancient tales with fresh ears. In this performance master-storyteller Hugh Lupton is joined by acclaimed cellist Sarah Moody whose wonderful playing is inspired by the music of all three Abrahamic traditions, reminding us that at the core of these cultures (that have been at loggerheads for most of the last thousand years) lies a shared mythology. This is a gripping, accessible and moving performance aimed at adult audiences (not suitable for under 14s). It will be touring 2025/2026. Please note, the video link above is not a story from this show and is without cello. Show video coming soon!

Being an aural experience, this show is particularly suited to people who are blind or partially sighted.
Self Contained
Performance area: 3 x 2.4 x 2.4 m Get in: 2 hours before show time, Get out, 30 mins after show finishes. Wherever possible we would like a hot meal at least 1.5 hours before show time. Dietary requirements: Prefer no fish.
Yes, we will shortly have posters and postcard-sized flyers available. We will also be creating a promotional film and recording (not yet available).
HUGH LUPTON Hugh’s interest in traditional music, in street theatre, in live poetry, and in myth, resulted in him becoming a professional storyteller in 1981. For twelve years he toured Britain with the ‘Company of Storytellers’. Their work was instrumental in stimulating a nation-wide revival of interest in storytelling. Since then his many collaborations have included work with Chris Wood, Sam Sweeney, Ben Haggarty, Sally Pomme Clayton, Rick Wilson, Nick Hennessey & Daniel Morden. His published work includes two novels, many collections of folk-tales & most recently a collection of stories and essays ‘The Dreaming of Place’ (https://www.hughlupton.co.uk/). "I could put my hands in front of my face and the pictures would not vanish." The Times reviewing The Iliad. “... it is by turns spiritual, magical, passionate, tender, visceral and gory. It's beautifully crafted. And its backbone is a humane engagement with the power and function of story.” Kevin Crossley-Holland reviewing The Mabinogion. SARAH MOODY Sarah is an improvising cellist and composer with a particular interest in folk and world music. For 30 years she has performed and written music for theatre, dance, storytelling, film and radio. She plays in jazz, folk and world music bands and records as a session musician. She co-founded The Devil’s Violin storytelling and music company that toured 6 shows throughout the UK and Europe for 17 years (www.thedevilsviolin.co.uk). She teaches cello creatively and facilitates music classes and workshops that support people to discover their own musicality. https://www.sarahmoody.co.uk “rich musicianship.” Simon Bishop, Stage Talk Magazine, reviewing The Devil’s Violin. "A sensitive music score.” Mansel Stimson, Film Review Daily, reviewing the film, A Year In A Field. ‘An excellent score...a haunting sound world...always tenderly humane.’ Judith Mackrell, The Guardian reviewing Augustine by The Darkin Ensemble.