I write songs. Sometimes as one-off commissions, sometimes as content within a theatre show, often unaccompanied but sometimes in collaboration with musicians.
Songs have a magic power to broker dialogue between that which is objectively measured by our senses and what is charted by emotion.
My creative practice centres around song, lyrics, poetry, storytelling and my body as a live performer. I am endlessly fascinated by an individual’s capacity to transform the atmosphere and narrative of a physical place through voice, sound and words. I’m conscious of my body, eyeline, breath and voice as a dream place even before it is a place of performance and the power that can cast even in the most unlikely, public places.
Blackpit Aqueduct Angel
Commissioned by Calderfolk for Hebden Folk and Roots Festival
Calder Folk was an illustration and music installation project inspired by the folklore and place legends of the Upper Calder Valley.
There were five foldable booklets created for this project, each with a specially created map, poem and illustration inspired by place legends from within the Upper Calder Valley for you to use to roam the hills and explore the valleys that surround us here in Calderdale.
These maps were used to find both the outdoor artworks created and hidden in the landscapes of the Upper Calder Valley and also the place legends they reference.
A specially commissioned musical work was also presented on each of the outdoor artworks via a QR code for you to experience in situ with the artwork using a mobile device.
Five musicians/ bands were commissioned for the project.
The Greyhounds
Sophie Cooper
Max Levy
Mark S. Williamson
Jennifer Reid
All of these works were performed at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge, as part of Hebden Bridge Folk and Roots Festival event.
Without the Shadow
Commissioned The Boo, Rossendale for Baby-Boo, a regular open, creative play session for infants.
This song was written in response to the theme of dark and light. It was circulated to children and their families during 2021 as part of The Boo’s at home resources . When lockdown ended and the group reformed, Sonya and John paid a visit to sing with Baby-Boo.
Taking Flight- A collaborative community performance about the search for home.
Created by Thingumajig Theatre and Todmorden Unitarian Church.
Sonya wrote the central theme melody and lyrics for this event, working with Musical Director Kathy Kim and multiple instrumentalist and community music coordinator, Daniel Bath.
Smoke and Mirrors- Sonya wrote the central poetic theme for this cabaret show that transformed a disused mill in the north Liverpool docklands into a sumptuous music hall ala 1908. With music and magic, satire and slapstick, dance and delights, the production offered a sugar-coated battle cry for people to stand up and be heard by the forces that govern Liverpool and our nation.
Directed by Sarah Thornton; Musical by Simon James; Designed by Steve Denton; Film by Adrian Challis; Lighting by Neil Riley