The 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II is fast approaching. To mark the occasion, Benjamin Britten has just nine months to write a new opera about her predecessor Elizabeth I.
Ben and Imo played in the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from March to April 2024.
The true story of the passionate partnership between Benjamin Britten and Imogen Holst
The 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II is fast approaching. To mark the occasion, Benjamin Britten has just nine months to write a new opera about her predecessor Elizabeth I.
Into the world of the disheartened composer enters the exuberant and passionate Imogen Holst, daughter of Gustav and an accomplished musician in her own right. Her candid and can-do attitude proves to be the perfect foil for the capricious and often maddening Britten, and what begins as an arrangement of practical support turns into a bond that not only sees Gloriana to its premiere but endures throughout the rest of their lives.
Originally written to mark the centenary of Britten’s birth and performed on BBC Radio 3 in 2013, Mark Ravenhill’s Ben and Imo was reimagined for the stage in 2024. Starring a truly dynamic duo of Samuel Barnett and Samuel Barnett and Victoria Yeates, the play explored the brilliant yet often turbulent working relationship of two of the 20th Century’s greatest musical minds.
Cast
Samuel Barnett - Ben
Victoria Yeates - Imo
Creative Team
Playwright - Mark Ravenhill
Director - Erica Whyman
Designer - Soutra Gilmour
Lighting - Jackie Shemesh
Music - Conor Mitchell
Sound - Carolyn Downing
Dramaturg - Pippa Hill
Casting - Matthew Dewsbury CDG
Ben and Imo - Synopsis
Benjamin Britten, world famous composer, has invited Imogen Holst, a composer and music teacher, to assist him with his opera, ‘Gloriana’, to commemorate the coronation of Elizabeth II.
She arrives quicker than he had anticipated, and they discuss what her duties should be. He reveals that he didn’t want an assistant at all, but if he had to have one, then he wanted it to be her. Imogen talks about working with her father, Gustav Holst - another great composer with a temper.
Ben and Imo work together on the opera, discussing love, life, and music as they do. Ben feels there are too many outside influences on the work and worries that the casting is wrong. Imo bolsters him and prods him by turns.
Imo tells him about her time on the road working as a music teacher and archivist. Ben invites her to work on the Aldeburgh festival.
Ben warns her not to get too close to him, that he can hurt those closest to him. Imo brushes this off.
A letter comes from the organisers of the Gala – Gloriana has been bumped from the main day of celebration. Ben is incensed, and they discuss how to get it back on the bill. They talk about children, the war, Imo’s work and Elizabethan dances.
Imo starts to give notes on the work, Ben ignores it them at first. Ben is falling into a depression and worries he won’t get out. Imo comforts him, as she used to do for her father. Ben talks about composing as a child and how much easier it all used to be. Imo has an idea for Gloriana, that Ben loves. Ben asks Imo to do one of the Elizabethan dances they have been researching, and after a little pushback, she does.
Ben is invited to be the artistic director of Covent Garden. Imo talks to him about how unhappy she was in a job removed from music. Some child carollers knock at their door – Imo has tutored them, as a Christmas present to Ben.
The house floods on Christmas Eve, luckily Imo has stayed and is able to save the manuscript. Ben finally realises Imo isn’t being paid, and has no savings left. She asks if he might send her on a lecture tour to America, as a way to build up some reserves. He’s reluctant but agrees.
Ben has a spurt of productivity and the score is nearly finished. Imo asks if there is more work she can do, if she could stay to help with opening. Ben warns her not to overstep, and says he’ll send her on the lecture tour.
On the morning Imo is due to leave for America, Ben asks her to stay one more day, she refuses. She leaves, and then walks back in, furious, and asks him to cancel the tour. She will stay until Gloriana opens.
The day of the presentation, Imo races in, a little late. She talks about the day, how excited she is, how brilliant it will be. Ben snaps at her, she is crushed for a moment but makes it clear she won’t be leaving. They are stuck with each other now.
