Theatre and Composition
In 2024, Kate and Ford were commissioned to compose the soundtrack for a new production of The Secret Garden at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre directed by Anna Howard (Opera North's Orpheus).
A new adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel, the play was set mostly in Yorkshire and had a strong connection to India. The score reflected this, drawing from Indian classical raags and English folk. Kate and Ford wrote, arranged and recorded the music over a 6 week period, often writing during rehearsals, in response to the development of the play.
The soundtrack features Vijay Venkat on bamboo flute and violin, Alex Lyon on clarinet, Shabaz Hussain on tabla, Archie Moss on melodeon, Evan Carson on percussion, Deepa Shakthi on vocals, and Sam Baxter on fiddle, plus Kate on banjo, cello banjo, and accordion, and Ford on low whistle and guitar.
The Spring Walker
Spring is a song that makes flowers spring from the ground. It is colour coming back to Nature. And it is what the Spring Walker brings with his Great Big Feet after a Very Long Sleep.
Kate and Ford are currently developing a new children's theatre show with Burn The Curtain Theatre about a little person who walks the spring up to the top of the land.
The Spring Walker will take place in the great outdoors, with singing, walking, and puppets bringing the story to life. The show will tour forest schools and other outdoor places in Spring 2027. Get in touch if you would like the Spring Walker to visit you.