pod groups
In Phase 1, we commissioned four 'pod' groups, each containing both theologians and artists, to work intensively together.
The groups were designed to offer an opportunity for people at the cutting edge of different disciplines to engage with a theological subject, theme or text. Each group produced an art work for the Sounding the Depths festival in 2000. In addition, each will be producing written reflections for publication which will give an account of the process of conversation and spell out what the participants believe are the consequences of this kind of collaboration for the way theology is done in the future.
the groups
1 Composer James MacMillan (below left), poet Michael Symmons Roberts (below, right) and Archbishop Rowan Williams (bottom, left) produced Parthenogenesis - a piece of musical theatre scored for small ensemble, soprano, baritone and actress.
They were inspired by the World War II myth of a young woman, who, nine months after having been injured during an air raid, gave birth to an exact clone of herself. Michael Symmons Roberts speaks of it as a kind of 'negative-print' of the Nativity of Christ. As such, it provides a compelling and intriguing contrast to the incarnation, and at the same time a profound way of exploring it.
The new work was performed along with 'Raising Sparks' (an earlier piece by James and Michael) on the evening of Tuesday 12 September 2000 in Cambridge Corn Exchange. The performance was conducted by James MacMillan, with the Britten Sinfonia, Jean Rigby and Lisa Milne, and was recorded and broadcast by BBC Radio 3. There was a public discussion with the members of the 'pod' group afterwards.
2 A group of Cambridge-based theologians, including Professor David Ford (right), Professor Daniel Hardy and Dr Ben Quash, worked with actors from Riding Lights Theatre Company, the playwright Nigel Forde and the historian Robert Whiting.
They produced a new play Till Kingdom Come - the Story of God's Mutineer, which is based on a true story from the time of Cromwell.
It was performed in Jesus College Chapel by Riding Lights Theatre Company on Wednesday 13th September, with a pre-performance presentation and discussion.
3 The composer Paul Spicer (below, left) and New Testament scholar Tom Wright (below, right) worked with Jeremy Begbie to create an 'Easter Oratorio', based on the story of the resurrection from the Gospel of John (chapters 20 and 21).
It was performed for the first time at the Lichfield Festival (of which Paul is the Artistic Director) in July 2000, and the second performance brought Sounding the Depths to a triumphant close on 16th September in Ely Cathedral. Paul Spicer conducted the Britten Sinfonia, Lichfield Special Choir, Twickenham Choral Society and the boys of Lichfield Cathedral choir. There was pre-concert presentation and discussion by the 'pod' group.
4 Ely Cathedral commissioned Jonathan Clarke to work with a 'pod' group to produce a large piece of relief sculpture which was dedicated in March 2001.
This 'pod' group also included Alistair McFadyen (Leeds University), John Inge (Residentiary Canon at Ely) and Marianne Edson (Friends of Ely Cathedral).
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