Musical Theater
Duration 2hours 20Mins
MUSIC COMPOSER– W K ROBINS LIBRETTO – H G BANKS
Musical theater songs based on “The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner”
by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
A musical morality tale about choices and their consequences, epiphany and redemption.
“The Ancient Mariner” musical play is the story of the voyage of the sailing ship “Alexandria” and her crew on a trip to Hell and back. It also follows the lives of the people left behind, and the devastating results when men blindly follow a charismatic leader.
At the same time, it is a story of love and forgiveness and redemption. No matter how dire and dark the situation, and how deep the Captain has fallen from Grace, there is a way back through love and compassion.
Told entirely in music with over 20 beautiful songs – from heart-rending arias, the sweet tones of a child’s prayer, stormy chaos, to a choral anthem – “The Ancient Mariner” is an emotional ride for the audience as they experience the terrible folly of the men and their fragile ship as it is blown by a furious storm into an ice flow. The ship is guided to safety by an albatross, but is left in the doldrums to rot after the Captain kills the bird, their saviour.
One by one the men die, and the Captain is left alone.
Alone, alone, all all alone, alone on a wide wide sea, Alone with a crew of corpses whose wide eyes stare at me!
The Captain’s suffering, his loss of pride and hubris, then his compassion for the sea snakes where he sees beauty in the creatures of the sea, his realization of what he has done to Lydia and his expression of his love for her, break the terrible curse and he is redeemed.
Audiences have been thrilled by the exceptional visual experience of the staging and lighting, and the magnificent musical theater songs. The story is timely, ageless and powerful.
The Ancient Mariner is a life-changing experience.
To listen to more songs by musical theater composer Walter Robins, please enjoy these Music Compositions.
What Critics Say:
“a…musical of tremendous magnitude. A very talented and well-disciplined cast.”
-Jerry Friedman, KGO Radio, San Francisco
President, SF Critics Association
3 1⁄2 stars* “…a richly layered and memorable production …. it breathes its own life in the retelling.”
“The darkly sweet, foreboding musical phrases…the quick modulations from major to minor key (or the other way around)…crackling storm sounds, wave sounds, churning organ chords, driving staccato phrases and more…suddenly the barefoot sailors … deliver a tender ballad right out of a Verdi or Puccini chorus … adds a little romance to soften … by those lush Verdian refrains, it’s just the right dash of sweetner.”
-Holly Johnson, Sacramento Bee
Extracts of Musical Theater Songs:
3 stars* “I have seldom experienced anything on stage more exciting….nor anything more forceful and beautiful than the united voices of the crew.”
-Marilyn Mantay, Davis Enterprise
“…transformation of such a timeless piece of literature…a viable adaptation of the original, accessible and wholly entertaining….lyrics stand alone on their own merits.”
-Brian Colombo, Vallejo Times Herald
“Les Mis, Phantom and all the rest – stand aside – The Ancient Mariner is on its way into the permanent repertoire.”
-Eidtor, The Sonoma Index-Tribune
“I think this musical has a bright future, and you should hie thee to the theatre to see its first-ever production.”
-Ted Hoffman, Vacaville Reporter
*(out of 4 stars)
COPYRIGHT © W K Robins & H G Banks
BARBON PRODUCTIONS
For all inquiries please contact: barbonproductions@gmail.com