Saskia Wesnigk-Wood

Theatre and Opera Director, Writer, Translator

Directing

 

2021, June, August, September – Love in the Time of Lockdown, performed at the Brighton and Edinburgh Fringe and at Seaford Little Theatre. 

November 2019 and January 2020: The Feast of Fools – part of the Brighton Early Music Festival: 

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2019-2020 Brighton Early Music Festival (BREMF) The Feast of Fools “Where medieval and modern times meet”, with Leah Stuttart (harp), Ian Harrison (winds), Clare Salaman (bowed strings), Jeremy Avis (tenor), Andrew Robinson (baritone), Miranda Mufema (actor),
two choirs, school children, Streetfunk dancers.

2018: Brighton Festival Fringe, The Manifestation of Trim Tab Jim, a rock opera written by James Mannion. ‘A powerful and enjoyable piece of theatre!’

Very thought provoking, and not only did the music pair up well with the theatrics but it also sounded great! Eye opening, professionally crafted, and it left a sense of hope for change.’

 

2017-18 With Ensemble Resonet from Santiago de Compostela and BREMF Community Choir: The Music of Lewes Priory, Life and Martyrdom of Thomas Becket, performed in la Charité, France , Lewes and Brighton.

 

2018 BREMF CC: Venice Concert, The Story of Columbina, a taste of Commedia Dell’ Arte

2016 Opera Alumnus, Brighton: Alcina, opera by GF Händel in a new English translation, conducted by Joe Paxton

Cast: Alcina: Christine Cunnold, Morgana: Jessica Wise, Mary-Betsy: Emma Lewis, Bernard: Alexander Pullinger, Hubert: Lindsay Thompson, Professor Ross: Andrew Robinson, Oronte: Paul Doling

‘The singing was of a very high quality indeed and it was a delight to listen to such accomplished young voices. What I hadn’t expected was such a creative and professional production that matched the singing on every level. Saskia Wesnigk-Wood’s imaginative re-working of the plot and libretto was a treat while the music under Joe Paxton’s direction was the real thing for Handel aficionados.’

‘…the two things that made it such a joyful experience were the singing and the acting. There was not a second when some “business” was not in play, (…) and the changes in relationships between the characters handled with humour and pathos as required.’

‘I know many of Handel’s operas well including Alcina, so was very interested to see how you adapted it to Mexico whilst preserving the whole spirit of the piece. This you did very successfully and your concept and staging worked like a dream.

 

2015 BREMF CC: Dido and Aeneas, opera by Henry Purcell, conducted by Joe Paxton.

with Catrin Woodruff, Andrew Robinson, Kat Carson

2012 The Vagina Monologues by Eve Enssler with Students, Professors and Staff of Women’s Studies at Brighton University

2002-2012 – Drama for Fun, community theatre, 8 pantos, 2 plays and 3 sketch shows

 

2004 – The Gooseberry Fools, “Munchbox” – a play for children

2002 – Brighton Festival Fringe – Germa Cornelissen sings

2000 – Smiles and Tears: ‘Fings ain’t what they used to be’ – a history of Portslade, and other shows

1999 – Ray Tindle Theatre, “Mavis and Sandra save the World”

1998 – Portslade Festival – Drama for Fun “Playtime”

1996 Brighton Festival Fringe: The New Marlborough Theatre group: “La Ronde” by Arthur Schnitzler, in a new English translation