Mince Spies
for Narrator and Orchestra
A story in words and music of a Christmastide long ago, when the English Parliament banned Christmas.
SCORING: 2+pic, 2, 2+bcl,2 /2,2,31 /timp.perc(2) /strings /narrator
N.B. Bass Clarinet is optional; the narrator needs a handbell
DURATION: Approx. 15 minutes
AVAILABILITY: Orchestral Set and score are available to buy from Lawrence Killian. (Click the button below for email inquiry)
Composed in 2023, Mince Spies for Narrator and Orchestra was inspired by his daughter Sarah’s storybook “The Mince Spies”. The story is about the Canterbury and East Anglian ‘Plum Pudding Riots’ in England during the time of Oliver Cromwell.
PROGRAMME NOTE
Combined with the narration, the music conjures up images of a busy English town during preparations for Christmas in 1647.
At that time, the Puritan government had officially banned Christmas, Easter, and Whitsun festivities, church services and celebrations, including festivities at home. There were fines if this law was broken, and in some places, the threat of sending ‘offenders’ to prison. This varied in each area depending on how rigorously the so-called ‘Rule of the Major Generals’ was upheld.
The Christmas ban was unpopular, with riots in Kent and other places. This was also the time when the country was in disarray due to the Civil War. Some riots may have been an excuse for pro-Royalist rebels to cause trouble for the Parliamentarians on the opposite side.
Our story unfolds through the eyes of a young girl, Ivy Johnston, who, like many, couldn’t wait for Christmas to come.
The structure of the music and narration follows the descriptive headlines within the story:
🎶 Orchestral Prelude, Setting the Scene:
An English town in early December 1647.
Once Upon a Time
A Change in the Air
No More Fun
The Watchmen
🎶 Orchestral Interlude 1:
No Christmassing!
Secret Celebrations
🎶 Orchestral Interlude 2:
Into the Woods ….
The Mince Spies
🎶 Orchestral Interlude 3:
Those Devious Mince Spies
Act of Bravery
The Rebellion
🎶 Orchestral Interlude 4:
‘Bun-fight’
The Mayor
Finale
🎶 Orchestral Interlude 5:
Christmas Celebrated
Epilogue
Lawrence Killian, Suffolk, 2023CONCERT PERFORMANCES/ REVIEWS
07 December 2024 - Mince Spies and Mozart
Holy Trinity Church, Huddersfield, UK - HD1 4DT
The Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Katherine Stonham
09 December 2023 - Festive Music and Carols and More *World Premier
St Mary’s Church, Banbury, UK.
The Banbury Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Paul Willett
Review - St Mary’s Church, Banbury (11/12/2023)
On Saturday afternoon there was a veritable feast of Christmas music provided by Banbury Symphony Orchestra in St. Mary's Church, Banbury. Under the skilled baton of Paul Willett we were treated to magnificent music-making which was definitely designed to put us in the Christmas mood.
This orchestra continues to go from strength to strength, and their performance of seasonal orchestral music demonstrated a broad string sound, lilting melodies from the woodwind soloists, an impressive brass section and extremely precise percussion underpinning the whole ensemble. As you would expect at Christmas time, there were plenty of sleigh bells in evidence and the opportunity to sing some much-loved Christmas carols which the audience joined in with enthusiasm.
The real highlight of the afternoon was the first-ever performance of 'Mince Spies', a superb musical production composed by Lawrence Killian, who was present in the audience. 'Mince Spies' tells the story of a young girl looking forward to Christmas during the years of the English Civil War when the Puritan government banned the celebration of Christmas festivities in 1647.
The narrator, Jonathan Rowe, recounted the imaginary story (written and beautifully illustrated by Sarah Killian) from the pulpit with clear diction as he built up the suspense of the cancelled Christmas. The watchmen, the Mince Spies, were ordered to stop the festive fun. However, the townsfolk crept off into nearby woods to celebrate Christmas in secret, and as they grew more confident, they celebrated in their houses behind locked doors. Inevitably the revellers were caught by the Mince Spies, but the whole street rebelled and attacked the spies with Christmas food. Without spoiling the story, there was a happy ending!
The narration of the story was interspersed by musical picture painting, which made full use of the symphonic orchestra, and the inspired use of instrumentation added to the power of the storytelling. This was a really exciting premiere of a new seasonal composition, and you can find out more at www.lkillian.com/mince-spies
Many congratulations to Banbury Symphony Orchestra on a highly enjoyable afternoon of Christmas music-making, and huge thanks to the arts team at St Mary's for hosting such an enjoyable event.
Below - See the original post from FaceBook - 11 December 2023