Vic Hoyland
Composer

Dumb Show

1st performance by members of Vocem: Alan Belk, Fran Lynch and, on percussion, Ian Gardiner. Recorded at The Barber Institute, Birmingham

for participants, male and female, plus Kit perc (+ amp voice)

Text: Six Anglo-Saxon riddles from the Exeter Book

17’ 00” duration

1st Performance

25 February 1984, St John’s College, York, Arts Council Network Tour

Reviews

Marvellous, vivid, atmospheric, perfect
York Evening Press

Startling!
Martin Dreyer

Cleverly, outrageous Dumb Show – a work that must surely travel
Martin Dreyer, Huddersfield Festival, Musical Times

In a festival marked by music theatre, Dumb Show made the strongest impact
Andrew Clements, Music in 1984 overview

By vivid contrast Dumb Show was slick and amusing. A large, enthusiastic audience brought out the best from the performers Alan Belk, Fran Lynch and Ian Gardiner (on percussion).
Paul Robinson, Arts Yorkshire

Alan Belk and Fran Lynch in DUMB SHOW

Ian Gardiner, Alan Belk and Fran Lynch in Dumb Show

Held by

Dress rehearsal images

Roger Marsh and Anna Myatt performing Dumb Show in York 1989; with Brendan Renwick on percussion (not pictured) at the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall.