WELCOME LETTER
FOR CHOIRS
CONGREGATION
BY ES DEVLIN
ST MARY LE STRAND CHURCH
Strand
London
WC2R 1ES
ABOUT “CONGREGATION”
Renowned Artist Es Devlin unveils CONGREGATION, a monumental collective portrait
installation created in support of UK for UNHCR.
Curated by Ekow Eshun and developed in collaboration with King’s College
London and The Courtauld, the work takes place at the jewel-like eighteenth-century
church of St Mary le Strand. It will be open to the public from the 4th to the 9th of
October, 2024, coinciding with Frieze London.
CONGREGATION features large-scale chalk and charcoal portraits of 50 Londoners who
have experienced forced displacement from their homelands. Presented as a
projection-mapped tiered sculpture, the work offers a luminous encounter with those
who bring their gifts to London.
Each evening at 7:00 PM, the installation will be accompanied by free choral
performances fusing the voices of The Genesis Sixteen, The London Bulgarian Choir and
the South African Cultural Gospel Choir, who will be joined by The Choir of Kings College
London on 3rd & 8th October, in the pedestrianised area opposite The Courtauld.
The work has been co-authored by the 50 portrait sitters – reflecting on their lives in
London, as well as their journeys from more than 25 countries, including Syria, Sudan,
Ukraine and Afghanistan. The accompanying soundscape is composed by Polyphonia,
with film sequences created in collaboration with filmmaker Ruth Hogben and
choreographer Botis Seva.
The following link can also provide further information:
https://www.unrefugees.org.uk/esdevlin-congregation/
CONTACTS
McClenaghan Choir Liaison 732 703
Jo Mackay Executive +44 7803
[email protected] Creative Producer 615 608
Jade Pybus Music Composer +44 7595
[email protected] 723 350
Andy Music Composer +44 7863
[email protected] Theakstone 108 959
BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME
What to Wear
! To be in line with the creative element of the art installation, please wear smart
black trousers or skirt with a white shirt. If the weather is cold, please wear a grey
coat (preferably), if not a black coat can be worn. This clothing also applies to
Conductors. Please can Choir Leads advise Trish McClenaghan as soon as
possible if there are any issues with this.
• Unfortunately, there are no changing facilities on site (except for toilet cubicles)
so please arrive dressed as above.
• Coats can be left in the holding area (see below for location).
• We are aiming to perform whatever the weather. If it is raining you will be
provided with a clear poncho to wear over your coat. If on 3rd October we are
blessed with violent stormy rain, we will move the performance to inside 180
Strand Atrium.
• Please do not wear any clothing that has a large logo or brand name.
• Please style hair and do make up before arriving on site.
Producers of Live Entertainment
LarMac (GROUP) Limited is a company registered in United Kingdom.
Registration number: 11881512. Registered office: 41 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LA, United Kingdom.
What to Bring with You
Whilst the holding areas are quite secure, please limit the amount of belongings you
bring to site to essentials only (such as phone/wallet/house keys). There are no
lockable facilities on site. We are sorry but we cannot take responsibility for any lost or
stolen items so please do keep belongings to an absolute minimum – preferably just
items that can be kept on your person in pockets.
SCHEDULE
Please see separate documents for your main schedule and the running order for the
event.
If you are running late getting to site, please contact your Choir Lead who will in turn
inform Trish McClenaghan, Choir Liaison.
All performances include The Genesis Sixteen, The London Bulgarian Choir and the
South African Cultural Gospel Choir. We will also be joined by The Choir of King’s
College London for the performances on 3rd & 8th October.
DIRECTIONS TO RECORDING ROOM AND HOLDING AREA FOR 1st, 2nd 3rd OCTOBER
Your first call on site on 1st, 2nd & 3rd October will be to go to the following place:
King’s College London
Strand Campus
Strand
London
WC2R 2LS
Here is a map and the building you are heading to is marked B (see the red arrow sign):
Producers of Live Entertainment
LarMac (GROUP) Limited is a company registered in United Kingdom.
Registration number: 11881512. Registered office: 41 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LA, United Kingdom.
Then please follow these directions to the Holding Area and Recording Room which will
be in the INIGO Rooms
Producers of Live Entertainment
LarMac (GROUP) Limited is a company registered in United Kingdom.
Registration number: 11881512. Registered office: 41 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LA, United Kingdom.
Please note on 4th, 5th & 6th October, we will be using different Holding Area rooms. You
will be advised of the new locations and directions for these dates on site. We will return
to the Inigo rooms above on 8th & 9th October.
Travelling to Site
It is important that you check local information on travel restrictions ahead of departing
on your journey to site.
RECORDING ROOM AND HOLDING AREA FOR 1st, 2nd 3rd OCTOBER
We will be recording on Tue 1st Oct in Room 9 on the plan below, and using Room 7 as
the Holding Area. There will be a separate room in Bush House South East Wing
(opposite to the Main Entrance – marked ‘S’ on the map above) that we can use for
rehearsals prior to recording that day – directions to this room will be advised on site.
We will also be using Rooms 7 & 9 on the plan below as Holding Areas on 2nd & 3rd
October.
As above on 4th, 5th & 6th October, we will be using different Holding Area rooms. You will
be advised of the new locations and directions for these dates on site. We will return to
the Inigo rooms above on 8th & 9th October.
Producers of Live Entertainment
LarMac (GROUP) Limited is a company registered in United Kingdom.
Registration number: 11881512. Registered office: 41 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LA, United Kingdom.
WALKING ROUTE FROM RECORDING ROOM AND HOLDING AREA TO STAGE FOR 1st,
2nd 3rd OCTOBER
Producers of Live Entertainment
LarMac (GROUP) Limited is a company registered in United Kingdom.
Registration number: 11881512. Registered office: 41 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LA, United Kingdom.
STAGE
We are performing in an area opposite the Courtauld at:
St Mary le Strand
Strand
London
WC2R 1ES
Here is a link to further information about the Church itself:
https://stmarylestrand.com/
The Stage is situated to the right of the doors that go into the church. Here are some
illustrations:
Front View
Producers of Live Entertainment
LarMac (GROUP) Limited is a company registered in United Kingdom.
Registration number: 11881512. Registered office: 41 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LA, United Kingdom.
Stage Riser Lengths
Stage Riser Heights
Producers of Live Entertainment
LarMac (GROUP) Limited is a company registered in United Kingdom.
Registration number: 11881512. Registered office: 41 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LA, United Kingdom.
Side View Including The Choir of King’s College London
Side View Excluding The Choir of King’s College London
Producers of Live Entertainment
LarMac (GROUP) Limited is a company registered in United Kingdom.
Registration number: 11881512. Registered office: 41 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LA, United Kingdom.
Choir Positions for 3rd & 8th October
STAGE NOTES
! There is no room for music stands on stage. We will be providing you with a black
clipboard that should be used for all music scores. These clipboards have
battery-operated clip-on lights on them which we will charge overnight. If
Conductors require music stands they should be provided by yourselves as we
do not have these on site.
! Please do not take anything on stage except water and your personal belongings
in your pockets.
! All mobile phones should be switched off while you are in rehearsals and on
stage.
! There are no facilities at the stage – including toilets.
FACILITIES IN THE HOLDING AREA
The Holding Area has the following basic facilities:
! Chairs
! Tables
! Wi-fi – this is basic public wi-fi from Somerset House and is not robust, so we
may find this does not work
! Small amount of emergency charging points for electronic items - please charge
phones etc in advance of arrival
! Closest toilets can be accessed via the corridor (these include one accessible
toilet) *Please note that there are no toilets next to the stage
! Lifts are available for those with access needs. Please advise Trish McClenaghan
as soon as possible if you have any access needs that require the use of the lift
Producers of Live Entertainment
LarMac (GROUP) Limited is a company registered in United Kingdom.
Registration number: 11881512. Registered office: 41 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LA, United Kingdom.
There will be NO access to the following unfortunately:
! Changing facilities (other than toilets)
! Coat racks and hangers
! Ironing facilities
! Mirrors (other than in toilets)
! Tea, coffee, hot drinks, cold drinks or snacks
! Meals – please eat before arriving on site or after
Please note that no items can be left overnight in any of the rooms.
You will be given a can of water on arrival – please feel free to bring a water bottle with
you also. You will also be given a clear poncho on arrival in the case of rain.
ACCREDITATION
On arrival, you will be given a wristband which will allow you access into the Holding
Area and on to stage. This wristband must be worn until you leave site after the
performance when it can then be removed.
Your Choir Lead will have given us your name.
Please note that access to the holding areas and stage is for Choir members only. No
friends and family will be allowed in these areas.
CURFEW
There is a strict curfew in place that means that the performance must finish at 19:45.
There can be no exceptions to this under any circumstances.
TICKETS
This is a free event and tickets can be booked via the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/es-devlins-congregation-a-landmark-installation-
supporting-uk-for-unhcr-tickets-1000063947187 - :~:text=The event is free and,in
advance to avoid disappointment
The event is however already sold out on press night on 3rd October.
The performance will be in a public area and so passing public may also watch.
OPENING NIGHT DRINKS
Drinks will be held inside 180 Strand Atrium following the performance on 3rd October.
All Choirs are invited and more details will be provided prior to the event.
PHOTOGRAPHY, FILMING AND PROMOTION
! There will not be any professional photos or filming of the event except for on 3rd
October – Press Night.
! Please be aware that the audience can film or photograph you and use that
footage as they see fit.
! If you would like to bring someone along to the event to record it for you, then
you are welcome to arrange that, but they can only film from the passing public
area. This does not enable them access to the installation in the church. They will
not be allowed in the holding areas, behind the stage or on stage.
Producers of Live Entertainment
LarMac (GROUP) Limited is a company registered in United Kingdom.
Registration number: 11881512. Registered office: 41 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LA, United Kingdom.
! Unfortunately, leafletting or advertising boards for your Choir will not be allowed
at the event.
HEALTH & SAFETY
! The management team promote and practice safe working conditions in all areas
of the site. You are therefore respectfully reminded of your “Duty of Care” and to
report any issue that may cause harm to someone else – even near-misses.
! Should you require first aid or medical assistance whilst on site, please see Trish
McClenaghan, your Choir Liaison, or any member of staff nearby, including
Security.
! If you are feeling un-well prior to your arrival on site, you should not attend. This
is for the safety of others.
! Please do not drink alcohol or take drugs before your arrival on site or while you
are on site.
! When you are on site you will be advised of emergency evacuation procedures.
! Smoking cannot take place inside the holding areas, inside any building, on the
Stage or behind the Stage. If you do smoke in other areas, please dispose of
cigarettes in ashtrays.
! Please deposit litter in bins.
! Please be respectful to colleagues working around you.
ACCESS OR MEDICAL NEEDS
Please advise us in advance if you have any access needs that we should be aware of.
THANK YOU!
Just as a final note, we wanted to thank you in advance for taking part in this unique
event! It will be a beautiful one to be part of!
Producers of Live Entertainment
LarMac (GROUP) Limited is a company registered in United Kingdom.
Registration number: 11881512. Registered office: 41 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 7LA, United Kingdom.
