The Song of the Ice

Overview

Steve Garrett’s solo show turns Antarctic science into music. Climate signals, ice quakes and deep earth history — supplied by researchers, some of it drawn directly from carbon data — become guitar composition, animation and imagery of the ice sheet. It is a personal response to two visits four decades apart, in the 1980s and the 2020s, and to what changed in between. The performance comes with an introductory talk from the scientists and a Q&A afterwards.

What we love about it:

Sonifying a dataset is an idea that usually collapses under its own cleverness — you admire the concept and forget the sound. The responses this show has drawn from composers and polar scientists alike suggest it survives the trick and becomes music. We also like that the Q&A is treated as part of the form rather than an add-on. Most climate theatre sends you out alone with the feeling; this one keeps you in the room and lets you argue with the evidence.

Who is it for?

Adults and older children, and anyone who would rather be shown the data than told the conclusion. Closer to a concert than a play — come to listen.