States of Innocence

Includes a live Q&A with Sir John Tomlinson and Ed Hughes, hosted by John Hancorn

Revolutionary republican poet John Milton (1608-1674), Oliver Cromwell's spin doctor, has left London to escape plague and political persecution following the restoration of King Charles II. Now blind, he is composing his epic poem 'Paradise Lost' dictating it to his assistant, wife, daughters and readers. At first they are beguiled by the poem's beauty, breadth and command. But as they give voice to his characters they begin to rebel against their fates. As the author attempts to 'justify the ways of God to men' his characters defend what it means to be human, powerful yet fallible and vulnerable to love and loss.

States of Innocence is a new opera after Paradise Lost by composer Ed Hughes and Peter Cant (theatre maker and writer). It premiered at the Brighton Festival on Sunday 19 May 2024 in the Corn Exchange in concert performances with celebrated opera bass soloist Sir John Tomlinson, and a cast of acclaimed singers from the opera world.

This is the first ever screening of the new film by Classical Media of the 2024 concert performance, with original digital visuals by acclaimed designer Ian Winters, and stage direction by Tim Hopkins.

'Hughes's score… sinewy, eclectic and attractive...Consistently fine voices and excellent conducting from Andrew Gourlay … Tim Hopkins' handsome semi-staging, with its video projections (by Ian Winters) of whirling skyscapes, lush vegetation, astrological charts and strikingly beautiful chiaroscuro lighting' - Tim Ashley, Guardian

Singers: Sir John Tomlinson CBE, Thomas Elwin, Rozanna Madylus, Matthew Farrell, Rachel Duckett
Readers: Billie Robson, Zofia Reeves, Natasha Stone, Liz Webb

The making of this film was supported by the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) through University of Sussex School of Media, Arts and Humanities