Walter and lenny

Devised & Performed by Peter McEnery

from Nigel Simeone's The Leonard Bernstein Letters

Directed & Produced by Julia St John

Co-produced by Sally Edwards

"To my very favourite dean, dear Walter, fondest wishes , Lenny."

In 1963, Walter Hussey, Dean of Chichester Cathedral, wrote to world famous composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, asking him if he would compose a piece of church music for their upcoming Three Choirs Festival. Bernstein accepted. An extraordinary friendship arose from their correspondence, and in 1965 The Chichester Psalms received their (almost) world premiere in the Cathedral.

 The show received it's world premiere at the Minerva Theatre , Chichester on the 11th of November 2015.

Julia St.John's production proceeds through economical but powerful images. On the evidence of this first performance... an expected British tour would be wholly deserved.

Mark Lawson,                                                    Arts Reviewer

Warm, often funny, and full of insights into the minds of both men.

Nigel Simeone, Editor,                                               The Leonard Bernstein Letters

What people said about walter and lenny;

Brought to life so vividly on the stage, it gives such a fascinating insight into Hussey’s determination as a patron of the arts, which resulted in the remarkable artworks in Pallant House Gallery and in the Cathedral, and of course in Bernstein’s beautiful music.

Simon Martin,                                               Artistic Director,                                            Pallant House Gallery,                               Chichester