The Promise | Adelaide Festival 2024

The Promise began as a bold experiment at London’s famous new writing theatre, the Royal Court, bringing together playwrights, artists and musicians to co-create, starting with the idea that some things can only be expressed through song.

Wende, the star Dutch singer and composer, comes to the Adelaide Festival for the first time with this captivating modern song cycle, which was co-written with leading writers from the Royal Court, including EV Crowe, Debris Stevenson, Stef Smith, Somalia Nonyé Seaton and Sabrina Mahfouz. A truly collaborative work, The Promise delves into themes often overlooked in traditional songbooks, exploring women’s experiences of motherhood, identity and self-discovery.

Co-conceived by Royal Court Associate Designer Chloe Lamford and Wende, in collaboration with renowned English composer Isobel Waller-Bridge and choreographer Imogen Knight, the show has played London and Amsterdam, with New York and Adelaide to come.

With mesmerising music, compelling storytelling and a powerful performance by Wende, The Promise is an intimate theatrical concert that pushes the boundaries of musical tradition.