This new commission, funded by PRS Foundation Talent Development Network (TDN), supported by PPL and Arts Council of England, brings together a diverse group of artists—including musicians, poets, and sound and lighting designers—led by the creative force, composer, and music director Christella Litras.

Our aim is to celebrate John Smeaton, a Leeds-born pioneer of civil engineering, and his contributions to globalisation.

John Smeaton designed and built the Eddystone Lighthouse, which operated from 1759 to 1877. Travel Light draws inspiration from the language of lighthouses, translating it into sounds that evoke journeys from the past to the present. It explores the impact of lighthouses on world trade, including spices, gems, gold, and the tragic history of human trafficking.

This ensemble of creatives weaves together words, sounds, melodies, and rhythms to narrate a journey from Leeds to Plymouth, along the Spanish coast, down the west coast of Africa, around the Cape of Good Hope, past Madagascar, and up to the west coast of India. The music reflects themes of power, people, hope, dreams, displacement, and the perils of uncharted journeys across sea and land.

Join us for an immersive experience that promises to move you both individually and collectively.

Meet the artists:
- Christella Litras- Composer, Music Director, Arranger
- Deepa Shakthi- Vocalist and co-composer – specialist in North and Sound Indian Music 
- Olivia Cuttill- Trumpet/Brass/ Clarinet/ Flute/Oboe player
- Mohinder Singh (Mendi)- Tabla Player and Multi-percussionist
- Thandanani Emmanuel Gumede- South African Vocalist
- Temiloluwa Abiodun-Ade- Multi Percussionist and Instrumentalist
- Rafael Onyett- Spanish Guitar 
- Michelle Scally Clarke- Poet and Spoken Word Artist 
- Rubina Warsi- Poet and Spoken Word Artist 
- Phenicia Williams- Background Soundscapes 
- Aniysa Alleyne- Projectionist

SAA-uk is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Network Partner supported by PPL.
Supported by Chapel FM and Foxglove.