Yasmine a Musical
One of the greatest shows I’ve ever seen and the music was the best thing about it
Alex James from Blur
Yasmine Smart performing, photo by Andrew Rees
Giffords Circus’ sell-out production featured Sarah’s swinging original score realised by 12 eccentric and exciting musicians. Yasmine Smart, the Grandaughter of Billy Smart appeared as herself with a breathtaking liberty three horse act.
photo by Andrew Rees
Producer: Nell Gifford
Director and choreographer: Molly Molloy
Composer & musical director: Sarah Llewellyn
Lyricist: Gaynor Winstanley
Musical assistants: Faith Elliott and Karen Hutt
The Album
‘The whole show is sewn together with a score which was deliciously jazzy and performed by a stupendous band of players and singers. The music was beautiful, playful and pulled you into the magic of the show. We couldn’t help dancing in our seats and it is worth noting you can buy the soundtrack’
Recorded under the big top by Mark Newton and mixed and mastered by Tonal with David Tobin for limited edition signed CDs please get in touch
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Music Credits
photo by Andrew Rees
Composer: Sarah Llewellyn
Lyricist: Gaynor Winstanley
The Band
Faith Ristic – Band Leader, Piano, Accordion, Percussion & Voice
Francesca Simmons – Violin, Double Bass & Voice
Valentine Chatelet – Trumpet & Voice
Claire Barbier – Voice & Trumpet
Will Buchanan– Drums
Jannah Warlow – Voice & Tenor Sax
Gabor Rosteen – Recorder
Celine Biewesch – Tuba & Percussion
Sam Alty – Double Bass, Guitar & Voice
Jean Goubert – Alto Sax & Ukelele
Julien David – Tenor Sax, Clarinet & Guitar
Michael Buxton – Tenor Trombone
Sarah says
Sarah conducting in rehearsals
The score for this show was inspired by and pays tribute to the swing music of the 40s, the wonderfully irreverent work of the legendary Spike Jones and his City Slickers, the harmonies of the Andrews Sisters and the scat singing style pioneered by artists such as the fabulous Ella Fitzgerald.
Above all, Yasmine Smart provided the catalyst for many of the pieces portraying snapshots of her life and work, as she became a true Queen of the Ring. Special thanks to Gaynor Winstanley for her wonderful words and Karen Hutt for all her contributions to the music.
More of Sarah's work with Giffords Circus
Musical and show highlights
Listen to extracts
Scat Song extracts
Music Box Waltz extract
Love Song to Brian the Goose
The Exploding socks song extracts
Are you Dancing? Extract
Who is She? Extract
Yasmine's Tango extract
Swinging on the High Wire extract
Yasmine overture extracts
Clowning extract
Waiting extract
Chinese Globe extracts
Let's Dance extracts
Sarah conducting in rehearsals
photo by Leah Llewellyn
..the creativity and passion poured into this production is, at first, bewildering.... while most UK touring circuses have abandoned live music, Giffords has an exceptional 12-piece ensemble. Yasmine – a Musical has a fun, concert party feel – with the artists at times sporting glorious animal heads – and some thrilling acts . . . Giffords has created a dream of a show, which would be even more jewel-like after dark
Liz Arratoon, The Stage
Pulling everything together there’s live music from the twelve-piece band—several of whom step into the ring for a duelling banjos stand-off or the odd bit of game transvestism . . . .its very fabric, honours all the best qualities of the circus world. I’ll go back next year
Side Show Circus Magazine