Anna Pool

I wrote a very serious opera as you can see. There is no fun, nothing to enjoy and definitely nothing for @tchalamet to like. Ok I'm actually clutching my little face at the heartfelt joy that has come out of the Ada & The Code Crusaders room at @englishtouringopera ❤️🎶 Of course, all writing in personal, but I actually managed to put some of my old hang ups about maths to bed in this one and really highlight just how creative you can really be with it. And I also confirmed for myself that everyone rocks 60s futurism bobble hats. I hope you can catch this show on your over the next few months as thousands of school children get visited by our team of mathematical super heroes as well as a few public outings too 🥰 Librettist & Composer: Moi Director: @nelcrouch Set & Costume Designer @ellakbdesign Musical Director: @philcox1985 Costume Supervisor: @laraskowronskacostume Stage Manager/Actor: Paul Hearnes Barnes Producer @bexhand Producer @maddybarnes Natasha Agarwal Anne Milbanke/Loop Rebecca Milford Anne Milbanke/Loop Judy Louie Brown Ada Beth Moxon Ada John Ieuan Jones Glitch/Babbage/Virus Wonsick Oh Glitch/Babbage/Virus Phil Wilcox Bug/Accordion #adalovelace #stemgirls #mathsandmusic #newopera #childrenstheatre

👻 ok. Having your music play @the_globe is THRILLING. So thrilling that there could be only one kind of earring to watch Ghost Stories @_hightidetheatre_ with. GHOSTS READING STORIES. 🎃 After incredibly sneaky pre-show shot from me (scouts honour it was pre show, not during, turn it off 📴), incredibly stunning production shots of our main characters, Sruthi Box and Candles.... Erm, I mean @beckycbarry and @sharan_phull . I am truly floored by their talent and willingness to try new things every day. Stunning 📸from @fourthwallphotographyuk Thanks pals x More Ghost Stories by Candlelight Producers: @_hightidetheatre_ @the_globe @harlowplayhouse @easternangles @theatreroyalbse Direction: @emilylingwilliams Design: @mona_cam_ille Writers: @jamesmcdermott1993 @aishaziaaa @fightlikeadeafgirl @tassadesparis MD and Composing: Moi Dramaturg: @clareslater Production Manager: @tomtheclutz Stage Manager: @amberchaps Costume Supervisor: @essie2solo Folklore and Wildlife Consultant: @lora_laziza_ #ghoststories #eastanglianghosts #spookyseason #letsgetspooky #londontheatre #samwanamakerplayhouse #theatremusic #newmusic #folklore

So what IS this project we’re crowdfunding for? ✨ We still can’t quite believe we get to say this, but we’re working with @sharonblackiemythmakings , alongside illustrator @helennicholson_illustration , on Foxfire, our musical adaptation of Sharon’s beautiful book Foxfire, Wolfskin and Other Tales of Shapeshifting Women 🦊🌙 These stories, drawn from folklore across Europe, are full of wild women, magic and transformation... 🐺 the wolf woman who has lost her skin… 🦊 the fox with a surprising secret… 🦅 the bird princess roaming the mountainside... Through songs, spoken word and soundscape, we’re bringing these shapeshifting tales to life in a whole new way, and you can help bring it into the world by donating to our crowdfunder now (find it in our bio) ✨ AND if you’re in London tonight... you can even catch Sharon LIVE at the iconic @cecilsharphouse speaking about why we need fairy tales now, celebrating her newest book, Ripening 🌙 (see you there!!) #folklore #shapeshifting #womeninfolklore #cecilsharphouse #fairytales

WE ARE CROWDFUNDING: Our album, Foxfire, needs you! 🔥 Help us bring a very special project into the world: the official musical adaptation of Foxfire, Wolfskin and Other Tales of Shapeshifting Women by @sharonblackiemythmakings 🦊 This work has been quietly growing for a long time. These stories rooted themselves in us, and became something we knew we had to honour properly. Now, working closely with Sharon and illustrator of the book @helennicholson_illustration , we’re creating something that feels deeply connected to the spirit of the book. If you’ve been with us for a while, you’ll know we don’t take asking for support lightly. When you helped us raise £1800 for our Home Safe music video in 2023, it genuinely carried us forward and gave us the conviction to take on bigger dreams. Well, now we need to raise at least £10,000, and your support means everything. Click the link in our bio to hear more about the project on the Crowdfunder itself, where you can also find a preview of the music, the story behind the album, and some really special rewards we’ve put together to thank you for your contribution. If it speaks to you, whether that’s donating or simply commenting and sharing, it truly helps this music reach the people it’s meant for 🌙 Find the crowdfunder link in our bio - and help bring Foxfire to life 🔥 🦊 📖 Foxfire, Wolfskin, and other tales of Shapeshifting Women, by Sharon Blackie 👩‍🎨 illustration by Helen Nicholson 📸 photography by @talie.eigeland

On this bright Beltane morn we are thrilled to finally share with you… ✨ Drum roll, please… ✨ We are overjoyed to say: we’re making an album! 🦊 This project feels incredibly close to our hearts, a musical journey inspired by Foxfire, Wolfskin, and Other Tales of Shapeshifting Women by @sharonblackiemythmakings . These stories have stirred something truly wild and beautiful in us, and we’re so excited to be working closely with Sharon and illustrator @helennicholson_illustration to create something that feels deeply authentic to the spirit of the original book. As many of you know, bringing these kinds of dreams to life takes real time, creativity, and real resources. When you helped us raise £1800 for our Home Safe music video in 2024, it meant more than we can say, and reminded us how powerful this community is. So, we’re reaching out once more… We’ve launched a crowdfunder to help bring this album into the world. There’s so much waiting for you there: exclusive rewards, the story behind this Wise creation, and more shapeshifting magic. If you feel called to support, or simply to share this far and wide, it would mean the world to us 💚🌚 ✨ Find the crowdfunder link in our bio ✨ Thank you to the magical @talie.eigeland for these films and photos 📸

Once again, Dory Previn nails it. Highly recommend starting a car screaming contest to offset the weight of the world. Or just singing this song with an audience as we did at our show at Green Note last week. 🚲🏍️ Top tier head bobbing from audience xx 🤘🤘 Thank you to everyone who braces the Tube strikes to get down to Anna Pool sings Dory Previn last week. Incredible times x #songwriter #camdengigs #doublebassplayer #statementglasses #americanamusic @doryprevindocumentary

Wise ones… we will soon be announcing something hugely exciting - something we’ve been dreaming of for a long time. We can’t wait to finally tell you what we’ve been up to, but first - turn on your notifications so you don’t miss it! If you want to know about it sooner, just sign up to our mailing list. Link in bio. Until then - put a big sparkly note in your diary for the 1st May 👀 📸 @talie.eigeland

🔔 Something’s coming… Don’t miss the news! Put those notifications on. Sign up to our mailing list (link in bio). Photo by @talie.eigeland #somethingscoming #somethinggood #ificanwait #itsnotwisewomandoeswestsidestorydontworry

ALERT 🚨 🚨🚨Legends join me for gig! Clutching my little face again with the knowledge that the Dory Previn celebration concert shall be PEPPERED with the double bass skills of Nina Harries and the percussive heaven of Isis Dunthorne. Over the last few years we've worked together on loads of things from musicals to immersive opera in nightclubs so it's going to be pretty special to hang out on the cosy stage @greennotemusic with them both with our fab hosts @folkandroots 21st April @ 8.30pm for our re-imaginings of the brilliant Dory Previn. Check out the bio for those 🎟️ pals! ---------> 1) Nina and I guerilla rehearsing for @folkeast takeover at @brittenpearsarts Aldeburgh fest last year 2) Isis Dunthorne stunning the world with her percussive skills. Think how you, dear reader, shall be stunned. 3) Nina in her natural habitat 4) Nina's cat Calcifer getting in on the rehearsal action. Sorry to say Cal (also a legend) will not be joining us on stage (boo hiss please still come) 5) Me giggling at something the fabulous @jayne_lloyd photography has just said as she papped me 📸 @theminories #guitarplayersdaily #doublebassplayer #londonfolk #doryprevin #statementglasses

"It doesn't matter what is true, all that matters is what is written down." A real privilege to be part of bringing The Manningtree Witches to the stage. The book left me speechless, so to get to be the MD teaching our stellar cast absolute bangers (17th Century hymns) and Arranger (shaping Nicola T Chang's beautiful score to the movement wizardry of Frantic Assembly) has been a dream come true. A timely and haunting triumph from AD Natasha Rickman and the masterful pen of Ava Pickett. Sell your Grandma for a ticket, if I say so myself. 📷 Magic again from Pamela Raith. The Manningtree Witches, Mercury Theatre Colchester Writer (Book) A. K. Blakemore Writer (Play) Ava Pickett Director Natasha Rickman Set & Costume Design Sara Perks Movement Director Scott Graham for Frantic Assembly Associate Designer Sarah Mercadé Movement Associate Michelle Edwards for Frantic Assembly Lighting Designer Lucia Sănchez Roldán Composer Nicola T. Chang Sound Designer Elena Peña Musical Director / Arranger Moi Fight Director Philip d’Orléans Intimacy Director Lucy Fennell Video Designer Wilfred Wong

"There is nowhere to turn to but yourself" - Dory Previn I was struck with Dory fever after discovering her amazing catalogue alongside @amyjpaynemezzo for our cabaret, Frau, That's What I Call Music last year.  I remember literally lying on the sofa clutching my little face as I realised that this woman had written songs for Judy Garland, Sammy Davis Jnr, Dionne Warwick and then gone on to Carnegie Hall with her own folk solo career.... And yet I knew more about her first husband for a Morecambe and Wise sketch. 😱 So this time, it's little ol' me striking out with a show re-imagining and celebrating Dory's unique sound. Deep gratitude to Graham @folkandroots for giving me showtime to air these tunes @greennotemusic Also unbelievably excited about double bass magic and wonder to be provided by that most dreamy of collaborators, @ninaharriesbass Expect songs that will literally make you shiver (in a good way) and pick your jaw up off the floor.  Hope you can make it pals. Tix in the bio 👆 Anna Pool sings Dory Previn with special guest, Nina Harries, double bass Green Note, Camden 21st April Doors 7pm Music 8.30pm 🪇 If that wasn't enough, look at this bangin 📷 @jayne_lloyd who once again, manages to make me look like a thoughtful goddess staring down the staircase of Colchester's @theminories .   More from this to follow. #doryprevin #londongigs #greatglasses #folkgigs #guitarplayersdaily

There was simply no avenue to meaningfully report it 😳 Between Autumn 24-25 I was the co-director and festival manager of a mid-scale arts festival with a focus on classical music, playing a large part in the re-branding and broadening of the Festival's programme and image for the 2025 season. In the last week, that 2025 Festival won an award from public vote as the best summer Festival in the county.  But I left in October 25 after a year of intense workplace bullying, misogynistic behaviour and discrimination from the Board and other leadership. I havent really spoken about it publicly, but to see this award win left me feeling so strange and sad. Sad because I know that the wonderful office team, marketing freelancers and volunteers deserve this win - they are the lifeblood of the organistion- but that theywill not be recognised by the Board- in fact, one of the main perpetrators of the bullying actively discouraged them from applying because "we weren't like those other festivals." I can de-code that if you need me to. Some of the 🚩 whilst I was there: 🚩Grievance procedure raised by myself and other staff against two individuals overseen by one of those individuals! 🚩 Consistent misogyny when responding to issues. Examples include, when trying to report bullying tactics of someone in leadership, my line manager saying "oh we don't see that side of him. That sounds something like a woman would do." 🚩"You don't look disabled," after disclosing health condition in context of a meeting 🚩Regular verbal abuse over the phone from leadership 🚩Gaslighting over timelines and actions despite presenting paper trail evidence  🚩The kicker - finding a typed up, minuted document signed by multiple Board members from a secret meeting which called for my removal due to my "demands" and asked in writing, how they could minimise bad press that they knew would come around this. My demands amounted to a clear chain of command, revised job descriptions and a skills audit.  I couldn't stay. The Team deserve that award. They don't deserve the rubbish they're dealing with. #classicalmusicmatters #festivaldirector #patriachy #classicalmusic