Becoming Leonard

Thanks to an Arts Council Stabilisation Fund Grant I have the chance to develop this project I’ve been working on.

Leonard Cohen was a renowned poet, singer and songwriter who touched the lives of millions of people all over the world.

He began his career as a poet in Canada, and then came to Europe and spent six years on the Island of Hydra, in Greece, writing volumes of poetry, songs and novels within an environment of a community of international artists who had also settled on the island. He eventually left Hydra for America where he recorded his first album. This led to International success as a recording artist and live performer.

His death in 2016 left a huge body of work – poetry and songs which still speak to and are appreciated by people today.

BECOMING LEONARD is a play about his life and work involving four actor musicians who will tell his story though his words, poetry and songs.

Written and performed by STEVEN ELLIOTT, an actor with many Film, TV and theatre credits, the play features many of Leonard Cohen’s best loved songs – including;  So Long Marianne, Suzanne, Hallelujah, with musical arrangements by Welsh musician and writer Anthony Reynolds.

This project was made possible through funding from the Arts Council of Wales’s national Lottery Fund. Once completed the intention is to take the project further beyond the development stage.

Copyright 2019 – Steven Elliott