Sunday 14 September marked the world premiere of Omri Kochavi’s Ladies in Bloomers, a striking new commission from the London Sinfonietta’s Writing the Future scheme.
Inspired by Fiona Davison’s book An Almost Impossible Thing, the work uncovers the overlooked stories of early 20th-century women gardeners - individuals who, despite being told they didn’t belong, carved their own place in the soil and in history. Their resilience and spirit was brought to life on stage by the London Sinfonietta, the acclaimed vocal ensemble EXAUDI, conductor Ellie Slorach, and live gardeners from The Story Garden.
A sudden shift in weather might have forced a last-minute move indoors, but it didn’t dampen the atmosphere. Regent Theatre was filled to the brim with an audience ready to embrace this ‘horti-musical’ celebration - an evening that was as powerful as it was poignant.
c Monika S Jakubowska
The Ladies in Bloomers event is produced by the London Sinfonietta. The work of the London Sinfonietta is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
Ladies in Bloomers is kindly supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation, the John Ellerman Foundation, The Finzi Trust and Nicholas Hodgson.
Ladies in Bloomers is performed with the friendly support of the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.
Writing the Future 5 is kindly supported by Jerwood Foundation, the PRS Foundation and Michael and Patricia McLaren-Turner.
Published: 16 Sep 2025