Lysaght Musical

Celebrating the Lysaght Institute in Song!

Music pupils from Lliswerry High School, working with composer Richard Barnard and director Kate Willetts, have created seven beautiful songs about the Lysaght Institute across the ages: exploring the music and memories of the building of the Institute the 1920's; dancing with GI's in the 1930's; discos and parties in the 1970's; the building derelict at the turn of the century; new life as the building is used again today.

We were planning to stage them in the Institute itself but we were unable to perform due to Lockdown. So we created an online virtual Lysaght Musical, working with singers from the Community. We hope you enjoy!

 https://youtu.be/idDeyfwRtfk 

Lyrics by Kate Willetts & Students from Lliswerry High School. Music by Richard Barnard & Students from Lliswerry High School. Created in Lockdown 2020.

Singers: Amanda Neville, Cariad Crawley-Jones, Carol Woodford, Kate Willetts, Phillipa Traynar, Rhian Hutchings, Simon Wallfisch, Stephanie Horsley, & Narrators - Chloe & Ella-Mae .

Operasonic created the Lysaght Musical as part of Loving the Lysaght, a community project run by Linc Cymru and funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project worked with the local community to build a picture of the history of the Lysaght Institute Newport, through stories, workshops, events and research.  From 1928 when the Lysaght Institute first opened its doors until today, the venue has created memories for Newport for over 90 years. Thanks to National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project has been able to hear personal stories, collect photographs and memories, and to research some of the local history, putting the collection on the Lysaght Timeline for all to treasure.

Thanks to everyone who supported the making of this Musical, especially Claire Maynard, Charlotte Granjon, Karen Jeffreys, Suzanne Bowers, Emma Newrick, and Naz Syed.