A Sort of Poetry Opera

This poignant "poetry opera" follows Zé, a poet tormented by an elusive alter ego, as they wrestle with the futility of creation, the inevitability of death, and the fragile hope of transcendence. Through a kaleidoscope of expressive music, haunting imagery, and evocative dialogue, Zé's alter ego teases, challenges, and ultimately inspires the poet to confront life’s ultimate questions: What does it mean to create? To live? To die completely, leaving no trace or to leave behind something eternal? Both tender and tumultuous, What Now, Mané is a celebration of artistic resilience and the unyielding human desire to carve meaning from chaos.

Performed at the Sainsbury Theatre, Royal Academy of Music. 15 January 2025

Pablo Martinez – Composer and Conductor

Carleigh Ross – Alter ego

Sophie Dean - Zé

Flavio Rodrigues – Accordion

Lisa Archontidi-Tsaldaraki – Violin

Alex Lavine – Cello

Hannah Runting – Harp

Courtney Cousins and Saurabh Shivakumar – Tech

Look @ me 

A collaboration with choreographer Constant Vigier, and composer Joe Strike