A little-known chapter in the life of Worcestershire’s most famous composer is being brought to life by learning disabled and autistic artists and performers in an ambitious immersive production at Malvern Theatres this September.
Elgar At The Asylum – Performance information
Saturday 26 September 2026: 11.30am and 12.15pm
Sunday 27 September 2026: 2pm, 2.45pm and 3.30pm
Malvern Theatres, Grange Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3HB
Tickets: £5.60 including booking fee
Booking: Via Malvern Theatres Website.
Box office: 01684 892277
Recommended for audiences aged 15 and over.
Elgar at the Asylum takes audiences on a journey through the theatre on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, combining theatre, dance, film, visual art, music and digital technology to explore Edward Elgar’s time at the former Worcester County and City Lunatic Asylum at Powick.
The project began with an idea from members of The Monday Night Club, a Worcester-based social club and charity created by and for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. Over the past year, members have researched Elgar’s connection with Powick and the lives of people who lived and worked at the asylum, turning their discoveries into original art, film, music, dance and performance.
As a young man, Elgar worked at Powick, conducting the attendants’ band and composing music for dances. The production offers audiences the opportunity to explore this lesser-known period of his life while seeing the story from a variety of perspectives.
Visitors will move through Malvern Theatres, encountering live performances, dance, visual art, film and music along the way. C&T’s Prospero digital technology will guide audiences through the building, with choices allowing them to experience different aspects of the story.
For the artists involved, the project has been about much more than discovering Elgar. Abigail Prince, one of The Monday Night Club’s artists and performers, has created artwork inspired by material found in Worcester Archives, including a painting of Elgar’s birthplace in the style of a patient’s art book, as well as a miniature violin. She has also helped make the film and will be part of the Show Crew at Malvern Theatres.
The project has been funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England, with C&T as lead creative organisation, working alongside Dancefest (Jigsaw Dance), Vamos Theatre (Vamos Central) and Film Oxford (Shadowlight Artists).
The creative team includes visual artist Kim Piffy and sound designer Paul Carroll, while one of renowned artist and sculptor Jason Wilsher-Mills’ inflatable sculptures will form a centrepiece at Malvern Theatres.
Elgar at the Asylum forms part of the ‘Autumn in Malvern’ Festival, offering a very different way to encounter both Elgar and a fascinating, largely overlooked piece of Worcestershire’s history.