A chance meeting at Bradford Literature Festival (BLF) in 2023 has led to the premiere of a powerful new play, Gideon: A Play with Music, at Bradford Cathedral in April 2025.
This unique production, a collaboration between Bradford Cathedral, Bradford Reform Synagogue, and Modalways CIC, tells the story of Gideon Klein, a Czech-Jewish composer whose music became both a refuge and a form of resistance during the turmoil of the 1930s and 1940s.
The idea for the play was sparked during BLF’s Sacred Music event, where the ensemble Klezmer Klassica performed a moving fusion of Jewish/Yiddish traditions and classical music. Canon Ned Lunn, Bradford Cathedral’s Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts, saw in their performance the potential for a deeper collaboration with the Jewish community in Bradford.
The result is Gideon: A Play with Music, an adaptation of David Fligg’s theatrical work, Gideon Klein: Portrait of a Composer, and his biography Don’t Forget About Me. The play explores the power of music in times of adversity – whether as an act of defiance, a means of survival, or even a tool for propaganda.
BLF unites communities and artists, weaving together voices from around the world into a diverse and eclectic programme of events. This project is a brilliant example of the creative and collaborative work that the festival can spark.
Sacred Music is an annual event for BLF which celebrates devotional music from across the religious spectrum. Artists, choirs and worship groups take the stage alongside poets and writers for an event which offers beautiful music alongside spiritual inspiration. Bradford Cathedral provides a stunning backdrop to this event, which traditionally brings the festival programme to a close each year.
As 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the end of World War II, this production invites audiences to reflect on history, resilience, and the enduring power of art.
Gideon: A Play with Music runs from 2–5 April 2025 at Bradford Cathedral.
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