Beasts of London

Commissioned by: Museum of London

The Beasts of London is an exhibit that explores the history of the animals, both common and exotic, that have inhabited London from prehistoric times to present day. Set across 8 rooms, the installation used animated videos, music, elaborate sets, projections and an array of voice actors (Brian Blessed, Kate Moss, Steven Mangan) to create a visceral historic experience.

The pieces included here are from the horses room. From Henry VIII’s trusty jousting steed ‘Govenatore’ (Steven Mangan|) to one of the Scotland yards match day police horses ‘Billie’, this section takes the audience on a trip through the history of horses, and how, without them, building London would have been impossible.

The pieces each adopt the musical style of the period they are attached too whilst maintaining the motif stated in the ‘Main Theme’, a sort of horse based ‘theme and variations’

Performers/Instrumentation

Barbican Session Orchestra