Humorously bad taste and exceptional musicianship:
The “oddly seductive” Tiger Lillies come to the Hop October 25
HANOVER, NH—Just in time for Halloween, the Hop presents The Tiger Lillies, a “brilliantly twisted” (The
Guardian, UK) British musical trio that’s won an international cult following with sweetly sinister songs of
pickpockets, pimps and ne’er-do-wells of London’s seamier sectors. The group performs in Spaulding
Auditorium on Friday, October 25, at 8 pm. Expect adult language and content.
With macabre make up and apparel, unearthly
falsetto vocals from lead singer and primary
songwriter Martyn Jacques, and
accompaniment by everything from accordion
to theremin to pots and pans, The Tiger Lillies
take their audiences on "a journey into wild
emotion which passes right through
melodrama and out the other side into bizarre
beauty,” wrote The Evening Standard, London.
In their Hop show, they’ll offer their own
songs inspired by Shakespeare's anguished
prince Hamlet, then regale the audience with
a set of such cheery old favorites as Blood
Alley, Lobotomy and Death Train.
Formed in 1989, The Tiger Lillies’ raw neo-Weimar look and sound grew out of time Jacques had spent in
London low-life neighborhoods, taking courses and developing his distinctive countertenor voice, while
imbibing influences like Brecht and Weill’s Threepenny Opera. Buying an accordion, he sought band mates,
and began writing and performing songs with cheerful retro music that contrasted with the Edward Gorey-like
lyrics describing a range of unsavory behaviors.
Audiences loved them, and over the past 30 years, a dedicated cult following has developed from New York
and San Francisco in the US to St Petersburg in Russia. They have toured the world with both their cabaret act
and such full-scale theatrical productions as Shockheaded Peter, The Freak Show and their version of Hamlet.
Their songs are captured on more than 30 self-released albums including Brothel to the Cemetery, Farmyard
Filth, Ad Nauseam, Shockheaded Peter, Circus Songs and the Grammy-nominated Gorey End. Their ardent fans
include David Byrne, The Simpsons’ Matt Groenig, Mel Brooks, and other artists who dabble in dark humor.
In addition to Jacques on vocals, accordion and piano, The Tiger Lillies are Adrian Huge, who plays percussion
on drums, toys, kitchen ware and other resonant objects; and Adrian Stout, who plays upright bass, musical
saw and theremin, a vintage, hand-controlled electronic instrument whose sound was heard in the theme of
TV show Star Trek.
“The Tiger Lillies offer a mostly downbeat mix of bad taste songs and morose music, with front man Martyn
Jacques the painted clown who left his happy face at home,” wrote The Eastern Daily Press, UK, recently. “The
lyrics are seedy, unpleasant, and generally base. The musicianship is exceptional. Adrian Huge's percussion is
beautifully controlled, with delicious touches of improvisation over the framework that keeps the show on the
road and Adrian Stout adds great atmosphere on double bass, theremin, and saw. Both lend ironic, begrudging
backing vocals to Jacques. …The Lillies are a unique and oddly seductive outfit—just don't expect to be
uplifted.”
RELEVANT LINKS
More about The Tiger Lillies
The Tiger Lillies at the Hop
Download high-resolution photos
CALENDAR LISTING:
The Tiger Lillies in Concert
Get ready for Halloween with a “brilliantly twisted” (The Guardian, UK) British music trio that’s won an
international cult following with sweetly sinister songs of pickpockets, pimps and ne’er-do-wells of
London’s seamier sectors. With macabre make up and apparel, unearthly falsetto lead vocals, and
accompaniment by everything from accordion to theremin to pots and pans, The Tiger Lillies offer their
own macabre musical version of Shakespeare's anguished prince Hamlet, then regale the audience with a
set of such cheery old favorites as Blood Alley, Lobotomy and Death Train. Adult content.
Friday, October 25, 8 pm
Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hanover NH
Tickets $20/25/25; Dartmouth students $10
Information: Hopkins Center Box Office, 603.646.2422 or hop.dartmouth.edu
* * *
Founded in 1962, the Hopkins Center for the Arts is a multi-disciplinary academic, visual and performing
arts center dedicated to uncovering insights, igniting passions, and nurturing talents to help Dartmouth and
the surrounding Upper Valley community engage imaginatively and contribute creatively to our world. Each
year the Hop presents more than 300 live events and films by visiting artists as well as Dartmouth students
and the Dartmouth community, and reaches more than 22,000 Upper Valley residents and students with
outreach and arts education programs. After a celebratory 50th-anniversary season in 2012-13, the Hop
enters its second half-century with renewed passion for mentoring young artists, supporting the
development of new work, and providing a laboratory for participation and experimentation in the arts.
CONTACT:
Rebecca Bailey, Publicity Coordinator/Writer
Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College
rebecca.a.bailey@dartmouth.edu
603.646.3991