One of the most memorable events of 2022, Sun & Sea packed the Albany for two weeks during the summer. Presented in partnership with LIFT and Serpentine, the performance space was transformed into an indoor beach, brought to life by dozens of performers, as audiences watched from the balcony above.
At first appearing to present a vision of a mundane afternoon at the beach, at the heart of Sun & Sea lies an urgent exploration of our relationship with the planet, the threat climate change presents and the dangers we face if it is ignored. Presented as Lithuania’s national entry for the 2019 Venice Biennale, Sun & Sea’s all-female creative team – composer Lina Lapelytė, librettist Vaiva Grainytė and director Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė – received the festival’s top award, the Golden Lion.
Hundreds of local people volunteered as beachgoers, and performed as part of a community choir, bringing the beach scene to life.
The production was named Time Out’s top London theatre experience of 2022.
Photo by Ellie Kurttz.
The UK premiere of Sun & Sea was presented by LIFT, the Albany and Serpentine as part of LIFT 2022, Back to Earth and We Are Lewisham. We Are Lewisham was presented by Lewisham Council and the Albany as part of the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2022.
Supported by Paul Hamlyn, The Golsoncott Foundation, Royal Victoria Hall Foundation, Muse and the Leche Trust.
