A slight change in direction

The Crimson Stage: Le Cirque Impossible – A New Audio Experience

I’m excited to share details about a the changes to my project and a dive

into new territory for me: The Crimson Stage: Le Cirque Impossible, a full-length narrative musical work created specifically for audio.

Set in the 1800s, the story follows a young runaway who finds refuge in a mysterious traveling circus—Le Cirque Impossible—where performers achieve feats that defy explanation. But safety comes at a price. To remain protected within the circus’s embrace, she must commit herself to its world entirely, trading her freedom for sanctuary in a Faustian bargain that becomes increasingly difficult to escape.

What makes this piece distinctive is its structure: the entire narrative unfolds in rhyme, with dialogue written as poetry throughout. Combined with a dark, eerie musical score that leans into Gothic atmosphere and theatrical tension, the work creates an immersive experience designed specifically for listening—an audio film, if you will.

Having worked in film and theatre, I wanted to explore what’s possible when you strip away the visual and focus entirely on sound, music, and language. The result is a 2+ hour journey into a world where the impossible is merely the price of admission, and every act performed under the crimson stage carries weight beyond spectacle.

The project is currently in its final stages—music composed and recorded, vocals laid in, with sound design and mastering still to come. I’m working toward creating both a complete listening experience and a proof-of-concept excerpt for festival submissions and industry consideration.

My intention is to release The Crimson Stage as a complete work—a full narrative that maintains its tension and atmosphere from beginning to end, available across audio platforms. I’m exploring partnerships with producers who understand audio drama and concept album distribution, and looking at festivals and showcases that celebrate innovative audio storytelling.

This is a project about desperation and desire, about what we’re willing to sacrifice when we have nothing left to lose. It’s about a girl who runs toward danger because it feels safer than what she’s running from. And it’s told through a medium that asks listeners to step into the dark with nothing but sound to guide them.

More updates to come as the project develops. If you’re interested in dark fairy tales, Gothic atmosphere, or experimental musical theatre, I hope you’ll follow along.

In other news, my updated website is finished, www.siwall.co.uk just in time to sit looking pretty for the holidays. Thank you to Nicki at Rebel Pixies for tolerating my last minute changes. My latest projects, including my debut poetry collection, are all sitting waiting patiently for the new year, new collaborators and fresh energy. Have a safe and happy holiday.