“In the Basements of BBC” in concept, direction, music by Louisa Kostoula (Violet Louise)

Violet Louise presents, the music performance “BBC Basements” based on the life and work of the English composer of electronic music, Delia Derbyshire.

Delia Derbyshire was a pioneer in the field of electronic analogue music and musique concrete and one of the first members of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. She composed music and sounds for two hundred radio and television programs as well as the legendary theme of the famous science fiction series, Doctor Who, in collaboration with composer Ron Grainor. Ron Grainor proposed Delia as a co-composer for the music theme of Doctor Who, but BBC refused to give her royalties because she was hired as a sound engineer.

Delia collaborated with avant gard composers and famous pop stars of the music industry (Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Yoko Ono). In 1973 she left BBC, considering her work hadn’t been recognized. For a short period of time she worked in various fields outside the music industry.

In 2000 Peter Camper, a young musician, convinced her to work with him in a new musical project. This
project was never finished. She died suddenly, because of her long-term alcoholism.  After her death 264 music tapes and thousands of scores were found in her attic.

Although she was one of the first women who worked in the field of electronic music and sound in those times, she received neither recognition, nor any royalty means for her work.

Delia Derbyshire’s work had to do with analog music. She refused to be part of a system, when computers came along. She felt that this kind of development in electronic field made things easier for those who want to create electronic sounds, even though they don’t have the slightest idea of how an electronic sound is being created.

Violet Louise is Louiza Kostoula. She worked as an acttress at the Experimental Stage of National Theatre, at the National Theatre, at the Athens Festival and has cooperated with many other theatre organizations. She has been a founding member in many greek musical ensembles. She also cooperated with musicians of the Greek electronic scene.

In 2011 she presented her first solo musical project entitled “Cardinals & Lovers” in collaboration with Dimitris Kamarotos and Studio 19. The same year she directed her first solo performance titled “The Forest” at Bios. Recently she presented a performance at the 1st Festival for Young Writers by EKEBI, held at Michael Cacoyannis Foundation. She performed, wrote the music and directed the musical performance, “Letters to Little girls”, at Theseum Ensemble Theatre (2012-2013).

CREDITS
Concept, direction, music: Louisa Kostoula (Violet Louise)
Actors-Musicians: Panagiotis Garbis, Louisa Kostoula
Video: Vasilis Kountouris (Studio 19)
Sound Design: Aris Pavlidis -Vasilis Kountouris – Louisa Kostoula
Construction DIY Music-audio devices MoCm: Andreas Monopolis
Movement: Pauline Huguet
Costumes: Lilian Xidia
Visual Editor: Makis Faros
Lights: Thomas Oikonomakos
Photos: Vassilis Makris
Assistant Production: Neofitos Panagiotou
Communication Manager: Mania Zousi

We want to thank Theodora Kapralou, Konstantinou Takalou, Gianna Kafe and Penelope Flouri
With the support of the Aisxylia Festival

^{INFO:
Where: Black Box, Michael Cacoyannis Foundation (206 Pireaus str, Tavros)
When: Friday 7, Saturday 8 & Friday 14, Saturday 15 March 2014
Starting time: 21:30
Performance duration: 80΄
Tickets:
10€ Normal, 8€ Reduced Students/ Holders of Unemployment Card &
Multi – child family Card & European Youth Card & Culture Card
(Ministry of Culture) & ITI Card & IFA Club Card (French
Institute)/ Holders of Card of Dentists’ Association in Athens/ Disabled
People/ over 65 years old}