Little England, by Mark Bowler & Gareth Mattey

Little England

by Mark Bowler & Gareth Mattey

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£6 GBP or more

1.	Scene 1: First Words (in which Jack and Jill prepare us for the story to come) 04:43	info	buy track
2.	Scene 2: Little Worlds (in which we see the Miniaturist at work) 02:27	info	buy track
3.	Scene 3: First Laughs (in which the Miniaturist’s peace is disturbed) 05:20	info	buy track
4.	INTERMISSION NO. 1 00:31		buy track
5.	Scene 4: A Little Riddle (in which the Miniaturist is posed his first question) 04:33	info	buy track
6.	INTERMISSION NO. 2 00:47		buy track
7.	Scene 5: The Middle Riddle (in which the Miniaturist is posed his second question) 06:50	info	buy track
8.	INTERMISSION NO. 3 00:29		buy track
9.	Scene 6: The Final Riddle (in which the Miniaturist is posed his final question and finally offers an answer) 06:03	info	buy track
10.	Scene 7: Last Laughs (in which the Miniaturist has the last laugh without laughing) 02:32	info	buy track
11.	Scene 8: Little Left (in which we see the Miniaturist abandon his work) 03:03	info	buy track
12.	Scene 9: Last Words (in which Jack and Jill offer a defence of their actions) 03:19	info	buy track

about

In a lonely little corner of little England, Jack and Jill appear to us with a problem. The famous duo informs us that there is a monster nearby, a Miniaturist, who lives in isolation, preying upon children and those alone after dark. They reassure us he is a threat that needs dealing with and that they are up to the challenge, and to trust them as they set off on their adventure to slay the monster.

But the Miniaturist isn't what they said - a quiet man, a conscientious man, living alone and building a model world in miniature in his home. When Jack and Jill arrive, professing to need help, he lets them in, only for the fairy tale pair to attack him and knock him out with their trusty hammers. They subject him to threats, to insults, to violence and to seemingly impossible riddles as they expose who he really is - a gay man, shunned and alone, having fled a society that rejects him and those he would love.

As Jack and Jill delight in exposing all of his secrets, the quiet man explodes with anger, turning their riddles against them and mercilessly beating them to death with their own hammers. The Miniaturist, realising that the bigots and monsters will seek him out even here, resolves to leave behind his isolation and refuses to hide away anymore. Amidst the shattered remains of his little England, Jack and Jill rise again in laughter to claim this had been their goal all along - that their violent actions were charitable, necessary, and wholly English.

As they cheerily wave us goodbye, they assure us it will not be long before their 'services' are required again...

-----------------------

Little England would have had its opening night in Milton Court Studio Theatre, London, on 8th June 2020. The staging had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. Over the following months this recording was painstakingly put together, primarily from recordings made by the performers in their own homes during various lockdowns. It has been a labour of love and I hope you enjoy mine and Gareth's darkly comedic, twisted, queer fable.
- Mark Bowler, July 2022

credits

released July 15, 2022

Music – Mark Bowler
Libretto – Gareth Mattey
Jack – Nathan Mercieca
Jill – Shakira Tsindos
The Miniaturist – Andrew Randall
Flute / Piccolo – Enlli Parri
Clarinet / Bass Clarinet – Raymond Brien
Trumpet – Tom Kearsey
Piano – Natalie Burch
Percussion – Aidan Marsden
Violin – Lara Agar
Cello – Polly Bowler

Character design and artwork – Sam Haynes

Amalgamated, mixed and mastered by Mark Bowler at One Glass Eye Studios, 2020-2022

Special thanks to Matthew King, Julian Philips, and James Alexander at Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

license

about

One Glass Eye Records UK

Genre-fluid music. Experimental. Electronic. Contemporary classical.
Founded 2015. Demos (links only) to mail at oneglasseye co uk

contact / help

Contact One Glass Eye Records

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Little England, you may also like:

Of Shadow and Substance
by Lea Bertucci

A disquieting, yet serene, reflection on industrial decay from the experimental New York-based composer. Bandcamp Album of the Day Dec 1, 2023
go to album
The Odd River
by Helen Svoboda

A theatrical change of pace for the Australian double bassist, vocalist, and composer; neoclassical splendor with a cathartic undertow. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 18, 2023
go to album
Spektralkompass - Sterbendes Hertz
by Håkon Thelin

Composer and bass player Håkon Thelin aims to cut to the essence of the double bass by focusing on technique with these contemporary pieces. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 11, 2023
go to album
No Preview
by Hannya White

Stark and fascinating analog synth songs cross-wired with crazy rhythms & spoken word to disorienting effect. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 28, 2021
go to album
Holographic
by Daniel Wohl

featured on Bandcamp Radio Feb 16, 2016
go to album
Spänningar
by Huvudbry

Improvisational pieces that blossom into moments of melody and cover topics such as “voltage & how certain apples will keep you young.” Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 18, 2023
go to album
Dog Dreams (개꿈)
by Lucy Liyou

The experimental artist's latest feels like a gut punch and tender caress at the same time. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 19, 2023
go to album