​Martin Green has spent the last year immersing himself in brass banding, surrounded by the communities, the competition and the legacy of coal. Inspired by the resilient, creative individuals he has met, he’s produced a three-part BBC documentary, Love Spit and Valve Oil, a new piece of music Split The Air, and an audio drama, KELI, commissioned by The Lyceum and created with Lyceum associate artist Wils Wilson.

 

KELI is the fictional story of a young horn player and her tempestuous existence composed by Martin Green, co-created and directed by Wils Wilson, and starring James Cosmo and Anna Russell Martin. It has been commissioned by The Lyceum and will be released on The Lyceum’s Sound Stage on 26 April. Lyceum’s Sound Stage ​​is an exciting new audio-digital venture giving audiences a unique and engrossing online theatre experience of new plays from the best in British theatre which in the future we, alongside Pitlochry Festival Theatre, hope to produce on stage.

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On 3 April — an audience experienced a live preview of the new audio drama, by Ivor Novello-winning composer and one-third of folk trio Lau, Martin Green; accompanied by a live 25-piece brass band that tells the story of KELI, played by Anna Russell Martin. Directed and co-created by Wils WIlson, the combination of compelling storytelling and powerful music provided by 20 times winning Scottish Champions Whitburn Brass Band will make it an event like no other, a true celebration of what can be created when drama and music combine to tell stories inspired by real people from towns across Scotland's central belt.

 

KELI had its a full digital release on The Lyceum’s Sound Stage platform on 26 April. You can learn more about Lepus' Year of Brass here.

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Photograph: Sandy Butler ​