The Scorched Earth Trilogy: Dumbworld and Irish National Opera present a trio of satirical films inspired by environmental disaster

As part of the Kilkenny Arts Festival, the Irish National Opera have partnered with Dumbworld to present The Scorched Earth Trilogy.

The trio of satirical films is inspired by environmental disaster and the lack of serious climate action - written and directed by Dumbworld’s John McIlduff, with musical composition from Brian Irvine and conducted by Irish National Opera’s artistic director Fergus Sheil. The three films tackle some of our most pressing concerns with coruscating humour and wit.

The Scorched Earth Trilogy can be seen at St Kieran’s College during Kilkenny Arts Festival on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 August.

The films - Trickle Down Economics, Won’t Bring Back the Snow, and Revival - aim to challenge people's complacency using a unique mix of street art, animation, contemporary orchestral music and opera in their search for answers provoking both entertaining and uncomfortable responses. Each film is born out of a growing societal mistrust of politicians, questions around humanity's place in the planet and within nature while also occupying a positive space in which solutions and saviours are explored.

The trio of films features projected video and sound installation experienced through headphones with the audio transmitted by Isolde, a groundbreaking new mobile app.

John McIlduff, Dumbworld writer/director, said: "Welcome to the future! Opera projected on walls and streamed to your phone. Exploring some of the most pressing issues that we face as humans (and animals!). Bringing together the accessibility of street art and the sonic power of opera, The Scorched Earth Trilogy redefines where and how contemporary music can be experienced by new audiences."

Isolde is a new app developed by Irish National Opera, which, according to Digital Producer Sarah Halpin, aims to: "revolutionise the presentation, sustainability and accessibility of opera, with a low cost, cloud-based solution delivering high quality, synchronised audio right into the hands (and ears) of audiences. With applications for opera, theatre, museums and more, the possibilities afforded by the development of Isolde will have far reaching impacts across our cultural sector and beyond.”

The Scorched Earth Trilogy is conducted by Fergus Sheil, Irish National Opera's Artistic Director. Speaking about the trio, Sheil said: “While being 100% operatic in their DNA, The Scorched Earth Trilogy turns the idea of opera upside down and inside out. These operas are short, making their point directly and powerfully. They don’t belong in opera houses, but on the street where they can be enjoyed by anybody, including audiences that may never have come to live operas.

"They use new technology to tell stories that are about the most pressing issues facing us on planet Earth. But the operas also don’t forget that they are there to entertain as well as to engage. They are both fun and irreverent while at the same time being moving and thought-provoking. Essential watching.”

The Scorched Earth Trilogy by Dumbworld, co-produced by Irish National Opera takes place in Kilkenny Arts Festival on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 August with tickets available here. Performances are at 5:30 and 6:30pm at St Kieran’s College. You can also catch The Scorched Earth Trilogy at Culture Night on September 22 at 8pm in Digital Hub, Thomas Street, Dublin 8.

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*Isolde is currently in the beta testing phase of development.