A Tale of Two Cities - Hong Kong 2023 - Chung Ying Theatre

Sarah's Favourites

Soundtracks

A selection of Sarah's soundscapes for theatre and radio.

Soundscapes, Radio & Spoken Word

Circus Band

Live music and Dead people
A Murderous Theatre of Blood was the late night attraction at the Surgeons Hall at the Edinburgh Festival 2012. 
Mad World Theatre’s latest blood curdling production with music composed and performed by Sarah Llewellyn

Music theatre song, folk, circus and cabaret influences as well as Sondheim and Elfman.

Welcome to the Pool of Blood - Live Extracts - Pool of Blood 2012

Music by Sarah Llewellyn
Performed by the Gifford's Circus Band

Scat Chant

Music by Sarah Llewellyn
Buy track here:
http://www.tonal.org.uk/albums/

Who Is She

Sarah was commissioned to compose an orchestral score for Told in Picture's new short film revealing the other lovestory on the set of Hollywood's most famous Roman/Egyptian Hollywood 1960s epic, "Cleopatra".

The film was released on the festival circuits mid-April 2013.

In February, Sarah recorded the score in Skopje with the acclaimed F.A.M.E.’S. Macedonian Radio Symphonic Orchestra, an ensemble assembled from some of the best musicians in the region.

A Short Epic About Love was completed in March 2013 and will shortly be released onto the Festival Circuit.

More Info here:
www.tonal.org.uk/production/ashortepiclovestory/

A Short Epic About Love

End Credits

Italian Tango - Extract

Luca's Ride

60's Italia - Extract

Here are a few tasters from the documentary film The Last Cuckoo of Spring: Dennis Gould.

Director & Producer: Mark Chaudoir
Editor: Ben Bishop, Polly Ward
Sound Design: Guldem Masa
Composer: Sarah Llewellyn
additional music by Karen Hutt and Claire Barbier

Bicycle Homage Dennis Gould Extract

A hopeful song for our times. Inspired by interviews with NHS workers taken over the pandemic. 
Music by Sarah Llewellyn and James Fox
Lyrics by Gaynor Winstanley

Hold Fast is a song for anyone who has been separated from loved ones or ‘called to care’ during the covid pandemic.

Inspired by interviews with NHS workers during the pandemic for a film ‘SOS’ by Wake The Beast. The lyrics reflect some of those stories.

This is a hopeful song full of love and is dedicated to people working in health and care.

Credits

Lyrics: Gaynor Winstanley
Music: Sarah Llewellyn & James Fox

The Tonal Ensemble
Sarah Llewellyn – Piano and Vocals
James Fox – Guitars, Bass and Vocals
Francesca Simmons – Violin
Lula Williams – Accordion and Vocals
Gabriel Williams – Vocals, Bass and Recorder
David Insua-Cao – Drums and Percussion
Jo Arnold-Williams – Vocals
Recorded by Sam Parkinson at StoneGate studios

Music Production – TONAL

Cover Image by Adam Mcguigan

Hold Fast

Opening music for a drama series, setting scene of a murder seguing into remote rural peaceful farm location

Body Farm

Sarah Llewellyn's theme and variations for Dickens' The Signalman. Music featured in and inspired by Jonathan Holloway's adaptation for BBC radio 4 drama. 
First broadcast on Christmas Day. Available to listen on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001ghw9

Dickens' The Signalman Theme And Variations

This song was written for and with Mind The Gap theatre for their 2022 touring show, Leave The Light on For Me.
Lead vocals by Charlotte Jones (pictured) also featuring voices from the company. 
Contributions and inspiration for the lyrics from the company and the community groups involved. 
Song by Sarah Llewellyn and James Fox

Protest Song_Leave The Light on For Me_Mind The Gap

The Biscuit advert music from the Mind The Gap 2022 touring show Leave The Light on For Me. 
Music by Sarah Llewellyn
More about the show: www.tonal.org.uk/production/leave…light-on-for-me/

Biscuit Advert Music

Live show recording with Chung Ying Theatre, A Tale of Two Cities 2023
Music by Sarah Llewellyn

A Tale of Two Cities - Extract from 2023 theatre production

Music from A Tale of Two Cities - Chung Ying Theatre Production 2023
Little Lucie - music for baby Lucie 
Live show recording

Little Lucie

Vocal transition composed by Sarah Llewellyn for A Tale of Two Cities - Chung Ying Theatre production 2023 Hong Kong
Live show recording.

Transition Vocal Rise

A Tale of Two Cities Opening

Time shift vocal transition

Sound by Sarah Llewellyn created for the epilogue for A Tale of Two Cities - Chung Ying Theatre production 2023 Hong Kong

Impact Blood for Blood

Underscore for Madame Defarge by Sarah Llewellyn for A Tale of Two Cities - Chung Ying Theatre production 2023 Hong Kong.

Madame Defarge

Music composed by Sarah Llewellyn for  BBC radio 4 Drama The Signalman, 
adaptation by Jonathan Holloway 
directed by Andy Jordan. Music 
performed by Francesca Simmons - Strings 
Sarah Llewellyn - keys 
Mix by David Tinson and S Llewellyn
recorded and produced by Tonal,

Night Dream Part 2 - The Signalman

During covid 19 lockdown Sarah Llewellyn was commissioned by Walk the Plank and the Working Class Movement Library to create this piece for the Begin The World Over Again podcast.

Inspiring Women and Women who are Inspiring

Part 1: ‘She had a political impact, a caring impact and she gave me confidence’
Question: Is there a girl or woman who is part of your family, friendship group, or your local community who inspires you and why?

Part 2: ‘Speaking Out is The Power’
Question: Women have the right to vote, can you think of any issues still facing women in terms of equality?

Part 3: ‘It only takes us to sit and not speak to be colluding’
Can you think of a time when you have been confronted by inequality because you are female? How did you deal with this moment, how did it make you feel?

Featuring interviews with Rebecca Long Bailey, Sarie Mairs Slee, Liz Pugh and many other girls and women with a connection to Salford and fascinating archive materials from the working class movement library.

Sarah worked with Helen Jackson from WCML on this project, Walk The Plank’s Ben Turner was production co-ordinator

Part 1 Inspiring Women And Women Who Are Inspiring

A collection of excerpts of various songs and music composed for circus by Sarah Llewellyn. Lyrics by Gaynor Winstanley and Kit-Hesketh Harvey.

Circus Songs and Music S Llewellyn

Music composed by Sarah for the opening title sequence of Jubilee! 
BBC radio 3 drama 
Available to listen on BBC sounds - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00202zc

Featuring The London Voices
Play written by Garth Bardsley and Ray Shell
Directed by Andy Jordan 
Music composed by Sarah Llewellyn
A Made in Manchester production

Jubilee Title Music

Underscore music composed by Sarah for BBC radio 3 drama, JUBILEE!
Available to listen on BBC sounds - www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00202zc

Play written by Garth Bardsley and Ray Shell
Directed by Andy Jordan
Music composed by Sarah Llewellyn
A Made in Manchester production

Jubilee Brittle Landscape

Underscore 'travel' music composed by Sarah for BBC radio 3 drama JUBILEE!
Available to listen on BBC sounds - www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00202zc

Play written by Garth Bardsley and Ray Shell
Directed by Andy Jordan
Music composed by Sarah Llewellyn
A Made in Manchester production

Jubilee Optimism

Extract from the 'love and loss' theme composed by Sarah for the death of Laura in BBC radio 3 drama Jubilee!
Available to listen on BBC sounds - www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00202zc

Play written by Garth Bardsley and Ray Shell
Directed by Andy Jordan
Music composed by Sarah Llewellyn
A Made in Manchester production

Jubilee Extract from Love And Loss

Extract of underscore composed by Sarah for BBC radio 3 drama Jubilee!
Available to listen on BBC sounds - www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00202zc

Featuring The London Voices
Play written by Garth Bardsley and Ray Shell
Directed by Andy Jordan
Music composed by Sarah Llewellyn
A Made in Manchester production

Jubilee George’s Letter

An extract from La Grognasse track 2 from the album 10.
song by Claire-Rose Barbier,
arr. by Karen Hutt & Sarah Llewellyn.
music available to buy on itunes, amazon, spotify etc

'So, if some changes are needed, I could try suicidal airs and depressive tendancies,
leaving up to you the illusion to reassure me
that your eyes are my guides and your arms my shield,

Gracious, gracious like a dancer
I’ll tip toes on clichés
I’m striding along on prejudices, who knows,
Who knows ?... '

Tonal Ensemble:
Claire-Rose Barbier - Voice
Sarah Llewellyn - Piano
Karen Hutt- Drums and Percussion
Francesca Simmons - Violin
Louise Marsland - Baritone Saxophone
Recorded and engineered by David Tinson, assisted by Joe Smith

This album celebrates the 10th anniversary of Tonal. ‘10’ is an eclectic collection of original music and songs, some old, some new. It features singer/ songwriter Claire-Rose Barbier and an ensemble of musicians from the UK and France. This project, in particular, has been a labour of love and friendship. It has been a joy to make and is the product of many years of collaboration. I would like to thank all of you who have inspired and shared this journey with me.
I’ve always wanted to work across the arts as a musician and composer. I set up Tonal as a small independent collaborative venture in 2004. Over the years, through the company, I’ve worked with writers, choreographers, producers and directors, creating new musical works for the screen, stage, circus ring and digital platforms.

from Claire...
These songs have traveled, walked different paths, dwelled in me for years. It takes a long journey for the voice to appear and sing.
Words carry moods, fights, lights, frustrations, bliss... A humble task for the song-writer to share the intimate calls to the open ears.

I was blessed, on the road, to cross Sarah and then Karen's way. I like to think that once the songs are written, they’re not yours anymore. Listening to them again after passing through their minds and skills, give them another life. They become the voice of all of us....


La Grognasse Extract 10

Music composed for A Tale of Two Cities, Chung Ying theatre co and Red Shift Theatre, Hong Kong April 2016 and Edinburgh Festival UK 2016.

Tale Of Two Cities Extracts Carton's Theme

MP3 Tracks available for download here"
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sarahllewellynandgifford

The spectacular & thrilling 2011 Tolstoy's “War and Peace” re-imagined by Giffords Circus. Toured around the beautiful countryside of the south west and wales to packed audiences.

An uncompromising fifteen piece live band drove the action with an original, vibrant and relentless score by Sarah.

This year enjoyed a world-class performance company of 60 including Tweedy the Clown, Ethiopian Jugglers Bibi and Bichu , actors, horses. Brian the Goos and Flying Russian Acrobats.

The show was produced and designed by Nell Gifford, directed by Irina Brown, with music and musical direction by Sarah Llewellyn, choreography by Fleur Darkin, lyrics by Kit Hesketh Harvey & creative musical assistant Karen Hutt.


This showreel is part of a series edited by Christine Bottine for Tonal. For more musical circus showreels, check out "Yasmine, a Musical" and "Caravan" on Vimeo.
For more music by Sarah, check out her website: tonal.org.uk

War & Peace @ The Circus

This showreel, with music composed by Sarah Llewellyn, presents "Caravan" Giffords Circus' critically acclaimed show which toured the Cotswolds' village greens in the UK, in 2008.
This magical show incorporated musicians, mind-boggling, body popping Russian acrobats, horse people, Brian the goose, Tweedy the clown and a pair of dashing Ethiopian jugglers.
More about Sarah's adventures with the circus https://sarah-llewellyn.co.uk/production-category/circus/

Eclectic, exhilarating and evocative, Sarah's music, realised by the irreverent Parisien brass band, la Fanfare Suivante, pays homage to the cultural richness of the Roma, the enchantments of India through a wealth of Eastern European traditions and Celtic resonance.

The show was produced and directed by Nell Gifford and directed by Molly Molloy.

Caravan

Free, eerie undulating texture with ricochet violin lines and dark bass line

Extracts From The Bastille

Driving dance show piece to accompany Napoleon's 'Knife Throwing' Act for strings, percussions, piano, brass, saxes.

War and Peace

Russia Gets Stabbed

Cheerful waltz, accordion, piano and percussion composed by Sarah for the film Oscar and Jim, more about the film: https://sarah-llewellyn.co.uk/production/oscar-and-jim/

Paris in Spring

Mellow jazz bass, piano and sultry violin breaks into a fast swing band feel with 12 piece brass & wind ensemble.
Stream album on Spotify 
https://open.spotify.com/album/5yhht9jVbVQnGs96YpBaOZ?si=b0ANNZzWQdOpAfdkuVeBHA

Yasmine a Musical

Dancing the Tight Rope

Swing dance extract

For accordion, piano, guitar and percussion

Tango

Eerie

Extract of the overture written for 40's flavour circus with a dash of Spike Jones,featuring brass, comedy percussion, jazz vocals,piano and bass.

Circus overture

Bawdy, raucous French Cabaret number sung to accompany a juggling act with bottles, knives and fire illustrating the french occupying a deserted burning Moscow.
Music by Claire Barbier and Sarah Llewellyn, lyrics by Claire Barbier and Kit Hesketh-Harvey.

Moscou Deserte

Moscou deserte

Question and answer sequence sets the scene for romance on the dance floor 
lead vocals by E.Seal, words by G. Winstanley, music by S. Llewellyn

Are you dancing

Beautiful, harmonious setting of Shakespeare's text 'Ophelia", inspired by the romani song 'Lume Lume'. Extract sung by Claire Barbier

Ophelia

Music composed for BBC 4 radio drama The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Adapted and directed by Jonathan Holloway
Produced by Sally Harrison
Music composed Sarah Llewellyn
Featured Musician on violin and musical saw Francesca Simmons
Sound Design Wilfredo Acosta

The Scarlet Pimpernel BBC radio 4 drama Kiss with Musical Saw

Extracts from BBC 4 radio drama The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Author: Baroness Orczy
Adapted and directed by Jonathan Holloway
Produced by Sally Harrison
Music composed Sarah Llewellyn
Featured Musician on violin and musical saw Francesca Simmons
Sound Design Wilfredo Acosta
Actors
Percy Blakeney: James Purefoy
Marguerite Blakeney: Sienna Guillory
Andrew Ffoulkes: Eric MacLennan
Henri Chauvelin: Enzo Cilenti
Suzanne De Tournay: Abi Wain
French Cavalryman: Graeme Rose
Bibot, Prince of Wales:	Mike Rogers
Worsdale: James Camp

Scarlet Pimpernel BBC Radio 4 Extracts

Music to accompany the reveal of Eva, the GIANT baby for ZARA production 2019, Mind The Gap
Composer - Sarah Llewellyn
Vocalist Lisa - Mallaghan 
French Horn - Ruth O'Reilly
Strings Programmer - Marc Folan

Extracts From ZARA First Impact

Selection of music composed by Sarah Llewellyn and Karen Hutt, Recorded at Steve Winwood's Studio by James Towler. Giffords Circus Band: Piano James Keay, Percussion/ Drums David Insua-Cao, Trumpet 1 and Percussion 2 Gemma Fuller, Trumpet 2 and Vocals Claire-Rose Barbier, Baritone & Alto Sax & Clarinet Louise Marsland, Tenor Sax, Recorder and Flute Beth Schofield, Double Bass and Cello Penny Callow, Accordion Garance Louis, Violin Hannah Tottenham, Trombone Francois Marietta 

Showreel - The Saturday Book 2012

A spoken word musical journey exploring the Greenham Common Peace Camp from 1981 and 2000. 
Told through the voices of the fascinating women who were there at camp, what life was like, why they were there, it’s meaning then and how it resonates today. 

Piece by Sarah Llewellyn 
Produced by Scary Little Girls in partnership with The Heroine Collective.
For full interviews and more info http://greenhamwomeneverywhere.co.uk/

Greenham Women Are Everywhere

Mum I'm Sorry Extract

Some of the more intimate love themes from A Short Epic Love Story performed by the Macedonian orchestra Fames Project. Music by Sarah Llewellyn, film screened at film festivals. director Josephine Halbert. Music created in association with Karen Hutt. Photo is a still taken on set of Sophia and Luca by Damien Wootten

A selection of music from the film.
Sarah was commissioned to compose an orchestral score for Told in Picture's short film .... The other love story on the set of Hollywood's most famous Roman/Egyptian Hollywood 1960s epic, "Cleopatra".

The recorded the score in Skopje with the acclaimed F.A.M.E.’S. Macedonian Radio Symphonic Orchestra. 

More Info here:
https://sarah-llewellyn.co.uk/production/a-short-epic-about-love/


The soundtrack album was released by Bucks music and is available on all music streaming platforms.

The film was released on the festival circuits in 2013 and is available to stream on various platforms.

The film won the following awards:
- AFA Screenplay Award / Best Romantic Comedy Screenplay / Monaco International Film Festival / Monaco, 2016
- Maverick Movie Award / Best Costume Design: Short / Maverick Movie Awards, 2015
- Best Short Film / Carmarthen Bay Film Festival / UK, 2014
- Gold Award / Independent Short Subject-Films & Video - Dramatic-Original / WorldFest Houston, 2015

Love Story Underscore

Lost Love Extracts - A Short Epic About Love

Some of the more epic themes from A Short Epic Love Story, a film set on the set of Cleopatra. Performed by the Macedonian Orchestra Fames Project. Music by Sarah Llewellyn, film due to be screened at film festivals throughout 2013. Director Josephine Halbert. Music created in association with Karen Hutt. The photo by Damien Wooten is a still taken on set of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton 

Epic Love Extracts- A Short Epic About Love

Sarah Llewellyn is a composer and sound artist working across the arts in the UK and internationally. She creates original music, song and soundscapes for the stage, screen, radio, circus and the concert hall.

She composes for, and records with, some exceptionally gifted and specialist musicians. Her work often weaves in subtle layers of electronics and experimental sound design. She has composed for orchestras, chamber groups, choirs, circus bands, vocalists and actor musicians. She also creates soundscapes, electro-acoustic work and spoken word pieces.

Originally from Liverpool she went to study composition in London at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. A combination of her classical training, running away with a circus and over 20 years of composing for an array of productions all contribute to Sarah’s diverse experience and influences.

She is represented by Kate Weston, Fillingham Weston Associates.

Sarah Llewellyn

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