Prom 74, Royal Albert Hall review: Jarvis Cocker explores the human subconscious in an immersive night
Tales of underwater adventure are woven together by his engaging narration in typical laconic style, and cut through the music
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Billed as an “underwater odyssey of music and story-telling”, Jarvis Cocker’s Wireless Night at the Proms brings the imagination of his Radio 4 programme to the Royal Albert Hall, which is bathed in a watery blue light.
Cocker emerges from the stage floor, reclined on a brass-framed bed as he ponders the strange world of the human unconscious, and switches on the shipping forecast.
Wagner’s overture for “The Flying Dutchman” is followed by Cocker singing a comical rendition of “Aqua Marina” from the 60s television show Stingray, before those ominous two notes from Jaws (predictable yet still glorious) begin.
Tales of underwater adventure are woven together by his engaging narration in typical laconic style, and cut through the music. For one, a free-diver speaks of her experiences as she ventures deeper into the water, while another uses audio from interviews with Roger Mallinson and Roger Chapman, the two men involved in the deepest sub rescue in history.
The grandeur of someone performing Bach's "Leibster Jesu" on the Royal Albert Hall’s recently-refurbished organ, or Saint-Saëns’ “Aquarium” suite from “Carnival of the Animals”, will never lose its magic, but witnessing these masterpieces "underwater" is something else altogether.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments