Difference between revisions of "Ben Hur Live"
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The show's dialogue is in Latin and Aramaic, and it includes a sea battle and gladiatorial combat, as well as the chariot race for which Ben Hur is famous. It is based primarily on the book as its source material rather than the Academy Award-winning adaptation which starred Charlton Heston. | The show's dialogue is in Latin and Aramaic, and it includes a sea battle and gladiatorial combat, as well as the chariot race for which Ben Hur is famous. It is based primarily on the book as its source material rather than the Academy Award-winning adaptation which starred Charlton Heston. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the months after the show's premiere, the production has suffered numerous production issues and future performances are uncertain. | ||
=Background= | =Background= | ||
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=Rehearsal history= | =Rehearsal history= | ||
| + | [[Image:2009_08_07_benhurlive_wardrobe.jpg|thumb|left|costumes]] [[Image:Ben_Hur_Live.jpg|thumb|left|CD-Rom giveaway]] [[Image:2009_08_07_benhurlive_rehearsal.jpg|thumb|left|rehearsal]][[Image:2009_08_07_benhurlive_ships.jpg|thumb|left|ships with effects and lights]] | ||
| + | |||
Rehearsals for this event happened in the [[ISS Dome]] in Düsseldorf, Germany from June 22 to August 7, 2009. These rehearsals took place while the temporary music was played (no orchestra yet) combined with Stewart's narration. | Rehearsals for this event happened in the [[ISS Dome]] in Düsseldorf, Germany from June 22 to August 7, 2009. These rehearsals took place while the temporary music was played (no orchestra yet) combined with Stewart's narration. | ||
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The last day of rehearsals in Düsseldorf took place in front of a small audience of sponsors and guests. These people received a folder with a German booklet about the production, some flyers and a CD-Rom including artwork and 4 tracks by [[Stewart Copeland]]. | The last day of rehearsals in Düsseldorf took place in front of a small audience of sponsors and guests. These people received a folder with a German booklet about the production, some flyers and a CD-Rom including artwork and 4 tracks by [[Stewart Copeland]]. | ||
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| − | |||
| − | |||
Further rehearsals were planned to take place in Tours, France. But as the venue turned out to be too small for this production rehearsals went on in Oberhausen, Germany at the [[König-Pilsener-Arena]] (scheduled to take place between August 9 and September 10, 2009). | Further rehearsals were planned to take place in Tours, France. But as the venue turned out to be too small for this production rehearsals went on in Oberhausen, Germany at the [[König-Pilsener-Arena]] (scheduled to take place between August 9 and September 10, 2009). | ||
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''This section needs more information.'' | ''This section needs more information.'' | ||
| − | The tour schedule was set to include the following dates and locations:[http://www.stewartcopeland.net/news/005.html] | + | The tour schedule was set initially to include the following dates and locations:[http://www.stewartcopeland.net/news/005.html] |
| − | * [[2009-09-17]] - London, England - [[O2 Arena]] (Premiere - originally scheduled for [[2009-09-15]] | + | * [[2009-09-17 (Stewart Copeland)|2009-09-17]] - London, England - [[O2 Arena]] (Premiere - originally scheduled for [[2009-09-15]]) |
| − | |||
* [[2009-09-19]] - London, England - [[O2 Arena]] | * [[2009-09-19]] - London, England - [[O2 Arena]] | ||
* [[2009-09-20]] - London, England - [[O2 Arena]] (matinee and evening performances) | * [[2009-09-20]] - London, England - [[O2 Arena]] (matinee and evening performances) | ||
| Line 84: | Line 84: | ||
* [[2009-11-06]] - Milano, Italy - [[Mediolanum Forum Assago]] | * [[2009-11-06]] - Milano, Italy - [[Mediolanum Forum Assago]] | ||
* [[2009-11-07]] - Milano, Italy - [[Mediolanum Forum Assago]] | * [[2009-11-07]] - Milano, Italy - [[Mediolanum Forum Assago]] | ||
| − | * [[2009-11-13]] - Zurich, Switzerland - [[Hallenstadion Zurich]] | + | * [[2009-11-13]] - Zurich, Switzerland - [[Hallenstadion|Hallenstadion Zurich]] |
| − | * [[2009-11-14]] - Zurich, Switzerland - [[Hallenstadion Zurich]] | + | * [[2009-11-14]] - Zurich, Switzerland - [[Hallenstadion|Hallenstadion Zurich]] |
* [[2009-11-20]] - Lisbon, Portugal - [[Pavilhao Atlantico]] | * [[2009-11-20]] - Lisbon, Portugal - [[Pavilhao Atlantico]] | ||
* [[2009-11-21]] - Lisbon, Portugal - [[Pavilhao Atlantico]] | * [[2009-11-21]] - Lisbon, Portugal - [[Pavilhao Atlantico]] | ||
* [[2009-11-27]] - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - [[Veltins Arena]] | * [[2009-11-27]] - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - [[Veltins Arena]] | ||
* [[2009-11-28]] - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - [[Veltins Arena]] | * [[2009-11-28]] - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - [[Veltins Arena]] | ||
| − | * [[2009-12-05]] - Vienna, Austria - [[Wiener Stadthalle]] | + | * [[2009-12-05]] - Vienna, Austria - [[Stadthalle (Vienna)|Wiener Stadthalle]] |
| − | * [[2009-12-06]] - Vienna, Austria - [[Wiener Stadthalle]] | + | * [[2009-12-06]] - Vienna, Austria - [[Stadthalle (Vienna)|Wiener Stadthalle]] |
| − | * [[2009-12-11]] - Budapest, Hungary - [[Budapest Sportarena]] | + | * [[2009-12-11]] - Budapest, Hungary - [[Papp László Sportaréna|Budapest Sportarena]] |
| − | * [[2009-12-12]] - Budapest, Hungary - [[Budapest Sportarena]] | + | * [[2009-12-12]] - Budapest, Hungary - [[Papp László Sportaréna|Budapest Sportarena]] |
| − | * [[2009-12-18]] - Paris, France - [[Palais Omnisports | + | * [[2009-12-18]] - Paris, France - [[Palais Omnisports De Bercy]] |
| − | * [[2009-12-19]] - Paris, France - [[Palais Omnisports | + | * [[2009-12-19]] - Paris, France - [[Palais Omnisports De Bercy]] |
* [[2009-12-26]] - Barcelona, Spain - [[Palau Sant Jordi]] | * [[2009-12-26]] - Barcelona, Spain - [[Palau Sant Jordi]] | ||
* [[2009-12-27]] - Barcelona, Spain - [[Palau Sant Jordi]] | * [[2009-12-27]] - Barcelona, Spain - [[Palau Sant Jordi]] | ||
| − | * [[2010-01-01]] - Madrid, Spain - [[Palacio de Deportes]] | + | * [[2010-01-01]] - Madrid, Spain - [[Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid|Palacio de Deportes]] |
| − | * [[2010-01-02]] - Madrid, Spain - [[Palacio de Deportes]] | + | * [[2010-01-02]] - Madrid, Spain - [[Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid|Palacio de Deportes]] |
| + | |||
| + | It was expected that the show would tour South America and Australia before returning to Europe in the fall of 2010,[http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118007588.html?categoryId=15&cs=1] including these two dates: | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [[2010-09-02]] - Berlin, Germany - [[Flughafen Tempelhof]] | ||
| + | * [[2010-09-04]] - Berlin, Germany - [[Flughafen Tempelhof]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | The following London dates were also added later, promising that the show would return to the [[O2 Arena]] in [[2010]]: | ||
* [[2010-01-15]] - London, England - [[O2 Arena]] | * [[2010-01-15]] - London, England - [[O2 Arena]] | ||
* [[2010-01-16]] - London, England - [[O2 Arena]] | * [[2010-01-16]] - London, England - [[O2 Arena]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | In November [[2009]], however, the production ground to a halt before scheduled performance in Milan, supposedly due to technical problems with the battleship not fitting in the arena. The dates were to be rescheduled for Autumn [[2010]].[http://www.stewartcopeland.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10971&start=0&hilit=Milan] | |
| + | |||
| + | On [[2009-12-09]], it was announced that upcoming scheduled performances in the UK, Spain, and Hungary were canceled or postponed due to technical problems with the staging.[http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831260357312/Ben+Hur+Live+Cancels+Tour+Dates,+Including+O2.html] | ||
| − | + | On [[2010-01-28]] it was announced that the scheduled performances of [[Ben Hur Live]] in Vienna and Gelsenkirchen had been canceled and there appeared to be financial problems within the production company.[http://www.art-concerts.de/sprache/en/] The news announcement for the cancellation read: | |
The BEN HUR LIVE show dates scheduled for 5th/6th February 2010 in Gelsenkirchen and 9th /10th | The BEN HUR LIVE show dates scheduled for 5th/6th February 2010 in Gelsenkirchen and 9th /10th | ||
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* [http://www.benhurlive.com/ Official website] | * [http://www.benhurlive.com/ Official website] | ||
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/8262536.stm Ben Hur Live: press views] | * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/8262536.stm Ben Hur Live: press views] | ||
| + | * [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4WB1TuDMs Video: BEN HUR LIVE: Stewart Copeland talks to TPi] | ||
=References= | =References= | ||
sources: internet (see external links), German newspapers | sources: internet (see external links), German newspapers | ||
| + | |||
| + | * ''Ben Hur Live.'' Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 1 Feb 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Hur_Live> | ||
[[Category:Composition (Stewart Copeland)]] | [[Category:Composition (Stewart Copeland)]] | ||
[[Category: Theater]] | [[Category: Theater]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:58, 25 June 2010
| Ben Hur Live | |
|---|---|
| Basic information | |
| Composed by: | Stewart Copeland |
| Composed in: | 2009 |
| Length: | XX minutes |
| Premiere date: | 2009-09-17 |
| Premiere venue: | O2 Arena |
| Premiere location: | London, England, UK |
Contents
Introduction
Ben Hur Live is a 2009 stage adaptation of Lew Wallace's novel Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ. Produced by Franz Abraham with music and narration by Stewart Copeland, it premièred on 2009-09-17 at the O2 Arena in London, the first date of its European tour.
The show's dialogue is in Latin and Aramaic, and it includes a sea battle and gladiatorial combat, as well as the chariot race for which Ben Hur is famous. It is based primarily on the book as its source material rather than the Academy Award-winning adaptation which starred Charlton Heston.
In the months after the show's premiere, the production has suffered numerous production issues and future performances are uncertain.
Background
This section needs more information. Include an introduction to this composition: if it was commissioned for a particular event, based on a particular source material, other individuals involved in the production of this piece, etc.
Rehearsal history
Rehearsals for this event happened in the ISS Dome in Düsseldorf, Germany from June 22 to August 7, 2009. These rehearsals took place while the temporary music was played (no orchestra yet) combined with Stewart's narration.
Stewart Copeland worked on the music for Ben Hur Live in Düsseldorf between 2009-07-14 and 2009-08-05 at the Skyline Tonfabrik. He rarely attended the rehearsals.
The last day of rehearsals in Düsseldorf took place in front of a small audience of sponsors and guests. These people received a folder with a German booklet about the production, some flyers and a CD-Rom including artwork and 4 tracks by Stewart Copeland.
Further rehearsals were planned to take place in Tours, France. But as the venue turned out to be too small for this production rehearsals went on in Oberhausen, Germany at the König-Pilsener-Arena (scheduled to take place between August 9 and September 10, 2009).
On 2009-09-08 - about 1000 people at Oberhausen's König-Pilsener-Arena witnessed the first complete performance of the show. The tickets were given away to schools and charity organizations for free. The show now included costumes, enhanced effects, more animals (no bicycles anymore) - and a German narrator at the start and end of each act (with the English Stewart narration in between, because the German narration was not yet recorded). Several hundred costumes were still missing - they will be brought from Thailand within the week until the London premiere. The chariot race ended with a minor injury by one of the stuntmen.
In the evening of the same day a second rehearsal show in front of a test audience was performed. This time Stewart Copeland acted as a narrator - in person. The chariot race was not performed that evening as the horses were too exhausted.
Performance history
This section needs more information.
The tour schedule was set initially to include the following dates and locations:[1]
- 2009-09-17 - London, England - O2 Arena (Premiere - originally scheduled for 2009-09-15)
- 2009-09-19 - London, England - O2 Arena
- 2009-09-20 - London, England - O2 Arena (matinee and evening performances)
- 2009-09-26 - Hamburg, Germany - Color Line Arena
- 2009-09-27 - Hamburg, Germany - Color Line Arena
- 2009-10-02 - Brunswick, Germany - Volkswagen Halle
- 2009-10-03 - Brunswick, Germany - Volkswagen Halle
- 2009-10-07 - Dusseldorf, Germany - ISS Dome
- 2009-10-08 - Dusseldorf, Germany - ISS Dome
- 2009-10-11 - Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
- 2009-10-19 - Stuttgart, Germany - Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle
- 2009-10-20 - Stuttgart, Germany - Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle
- 2009-10-21 - Stuttgart, Germany - Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle
- 2009-10-30 - Munich, Germany - Olympiahalle
- 2009-10-31 - Munich, Germany - Olympiahalle
- 2009-11-06 - Milano, Italy - Mediolanum Forum Assago
- 2009-11-07 - Milano, Italy - Mediolanum Forum Assago
- 2009-11-13 - Zurich, Switzerland - Hallenstadion Zurich
- 2009-11-14 - Zurich, Switzerland - Hallenstadion Zurich
- 2009-11-20 - Lisbon, Portugal - Pavilhao Atlantico
- 2009-11-21 - Lisbon, Portugal - Pavilhao Atlantico
- 2009-11-27 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Veltins Arena
- 2009-11-28 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Veltins Arena
- 2009-12-05 - Vienna, Austria - Wiener Stadthalle
- 2009-12-06 - Vienna, Austria - Wiener Stadthalle
- 2009-12-11 - Budapest, Hungary - Budapest Sportarena
- 2009-12-12 - Budapest, Hungary - Budapest Sportarena
- 2009-12-18 - Paris, France - Palais Omnisports De Bercy
- 2009-12-19 - Paris, France - Palais Omnisports De Bercy
- 2009-12-26 - Barcelona, Spain - Palau Sant Jordi
- 2009-12-27 - Barcelona, Spain - Palau Sant Jordi
- 2010-01-01 - Madrid, Spain - Palacio de Deportes
- 2010-01-02 - Madrid, Spain - Palacio de Deportes
It was expected that the show would tour South America and Australia before returning to Europe in the fall of 2010,[2] including these two dates:
- 2010-09-02 - Berlin, Germany - Flughafen Tempelhof
- 2010-09-04 - Berlin, Germany - Flughafen Tempelhof
The following London dates were also added later, promising that the show would return to the O2 Arena in 2010:
- 2010-01-15 - London, England - O2 Arena
- 2010-01-16 - London, England - O2 Arena
In November 2009, however, the production ground to a halt before scheduled performance in Milan, supposedly due to technical problems with the battleship not fitting in the arena. The dates were to be rescheduled for Autumn 2010.[3]
On 2009-12-09, it was announced that upcoming scheduled performances in the UK, Spain, and Hungary were canceled or postponed due to technical problems with the staging.[4]
On 2010-01-28 it was announced that the scheduled performances of Ben Hur Live in Vienna and Gelsenkirchen had been canceled and there appeared to be financial problems within the production company.[5] The news announcement for the cancellation read:
The BEN HUR LIVE show dates scheduled for 5th/6th February 2010 in Gelsenkirchen and 9th /10th February 2010 in Vienna are cancelled. Due to an external file of bankruptcy, ART CONCERTS GmbH, producer and promoter of the show can't guarantee the realization of the performances. We plan to perform new shows on 21st /22nd May 2010 in Gelsenkirchen and on 24th /25th April or 26th /27th May in Vienna with a new company founded by investors in order to satisfy ticket holders. This is the highest motivation of everybody involved. Cancellation and refunding of tickets for performances in Gelsenkirchen are legally not possible before nomination of a liquidator and unrealistic due to illiquidity. Ticket buyers from Vienna will be informed separately, as we are still in negotiation with the local ticket dealers. In this respect we would like to ask you wait for reactivation in order to see the show. We ask you to desist from inquiry directly to the ticket dealers, as only ART CONCERTS is currently dealing with ticket cancellation. Please read also the separate letter to our ticket holders. We would like to apologize to all concerned parties for this development.
Presales of dates in Kaltenberg, Berlin, and Frankfurt were also put on hold.
Release History
Ben Hur Live appears on the following album releases:
| Cover art | Album title | Release date | Release country |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ben Hur Live (press CD-Rom) | 2009-08-07 | Germany |
|
Music From Ben Hur Live | ? | ? |
Quotations and trivia
This section needs more information.
See also
This section needs more information.
External links
References
sources: internet (see external links), German newspapers
- Ben Hur Live. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 1 Feb 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Hur_Live>
