Andromeda Cartoons by Matt Lawrence
The poem by Charles Kingsley, from which Cyril Bradley Rootham took the words for Andromeda, is written in an antique epic style which is unfamiliar to most contemporary audiences. The CK200 Festival therefore decided to commission a set of cartoons from Matt Lawrence to tell the story in graphic form. Some of the cartoons are accompanied by extracts from a recording made in 2019, a full version of which can be heard on the website of Cyril Bradley Rootham.
The recording was made using Rootham’s own piano reduction, but the performance at the CK200 Festival on 14 and 15 June will premiere a specially commissioned adaptation by Dan Keen of Rootham’s original orchestration.
ANDROMEDA PART 1
Over the sea and far away live a 'dark-haired Aethiop people'.
Each year the sea floods the land and out of the sea comes a terrifying monster.
The people go to the temple to ask the priests to cast lots to find out who has offended the sea-gods.
The final lot falls on Cassiopoeia, wife of the king and mother of Andromeda.
Cassiopoeia admits she claimed Andromeda was more beautiful than the Queen of the Ocean.
The priests confirm that she is guilty.
She must take Andromeda to a rock in the sea and leave her there as prey for the monster.
Cassiopoeia and the priests row Andromeda out to the rock.
They chain Andromeda to the rock.
Cassiopoeia begs Andromeda not to curse her even in death.
Andromeda says she won’t.
The boat rows away and Andromeda is left alone in the darkness.
ANDROMEDA Part 2
Andromeda alone in the darkness complains that she is guiltless.
Sea mists arise from the deep. Andromeda sinks down in fear.
Mystical sea creatures and laughing sea maidens arise from the ocean; they pass by like a dream.
A storm howls down from the mountains and drenches her with spray.
Suddenly she sees Perseus FLYING DOWN towards her. He is very good-looking and has a shining brass shield and a bag.
Perseus introduces himself.
Andromeda tells him to go away and leave her to her fate.
Perseus says he won't yield to a mere sea-monster.
Andromeda implores him not to die.
Perseus says he has a Gorgon's head in his bag. He will use it to kill the monster by turning it to stone.
The monster swims towards Andromeda, not suspecting any danger.
Perseus kills the monster by turning it to stone.
Perseus embraces Andromeda.
Athené (goddess and patron of Perseus) arrives.
Athené blesses Andromeda: when she dies she will become a star.
The end (all live happily ever after).
