Young Vic
Theatre entrance
Address	South Bank, the Cut
City	Lambeth, London
Country	United Kingdom
Coordinates	51°30′12″N 0°06′27″W / 51.50323°N 0.10748°W / 51.50323; -0.10748Coordinates: 51°30′12″N 0°06′27″W / 51.50323°N 0.10748°W / 51.50323; -0.10748
Architect	Haworth Tompkins
Capacity	420 Main house 160 Maria (studio) 80 Claire (studio)
Type	Non-commercial resident company
Opened	1970
Rebuilt	2006 Haworth Tompkins
Production	Repertory seasons
www.youngvic.org

The Young Vic is a theatre on the Cut, located near the South Bank, in the London Borough of Lambeth. It specialises in giving opportunities to young actors and directors. The theatre is publicly subsidised and has a high artistic reputation. Playwright David Lan has been the theatre's artistic director since 2000. Its philosophy is to "produce great plays for great audiences, now and in the future".

History[link]

The Young Vic's name derives from the nearby Old Vic, one of the most celebrated of London's theatres and the first home of the National Theatre.

In the period after World War II a Young Vic Company was formed in 1946 by director George Devine^[1] as an offshoot of the Old Vic Theatre School for the purpose of performing classic plays for audiences aged nine to fifteen.

This was discontinued in 1948 when Devine and the entire faculty resigned from the Old Vic, but in 1969 Frank Dunlop became founder-director of The Young Vic theatre with his free adaptation of Molière's The Cheats of Scapino, presented at the new venue as a National Theatre production, opening on 11 September 1970 and starring Jim Dale in the title role with designs by Carl Toms (decor) and Maria Bjornson (costumes).^[2]

Initially part of the National Theatre, the Young Vic Theatre became an independent body in 1974.^[3]

In the words of Laurence Olivier, then director of the National Theatre: "Here we think to develop plays for young audiences, an experimental workshop for authors, actors and producers." The aim was to create an accessible theatre which offered high quality at low cost in an informal environment. The aim was to appeal to young audiences, but this time not specifically to children.

Young Vic Theatre[link]

Frank Dunlop completed creation of the theatre venue in 1970, a breeze-block building in the Cut constructed out of a former butchers' shop and an adjacent bomb-site. It was intended to last for five years, but has become permanent.

The auditorium, with a thrust stage, has a capacity of around 500 but this can vary depending on the configuration of the stage for each production.

In addition to the Young Vic's main house, there are now two smaller theatre spaces. The Maria, named after theatre designer Maria Bjornson, is the larger of the two with a capacity of 150. The Clare, named after the former artistic director of the Sheffield Crucible, Clare Venables, seats 70. Like the main house, both smaller theatres have flexible seating configurations which can be arranged to suit the production design. In the two small auditoriums seating is unreserved with the actors performing in close proximity to the audience.^[4]

The Young Vic primarily performs classic plays, but often in innovative productions. Many well-known actors have worked at the Young Vic including Ian Charleson, who made his memorable professional debut with the Young Vic 1972-74, and who played Jimmy Porter in Look Back in Anger and Hamlet in the first revival of Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead in 1973. Others include Vanessa Redgrave, Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, Timothy Dalton, Ian McKellen, Willard White, Clive Owen and Jude Law.

Quintessential rock band the Who held free, weekly concerts at the Young Vic in early 1971 in order to rehearse what would become their masterpiece album, Who's Next. One of these shows was released on the Deluxe edition of this album.

A memorial at the theatre's south-east corner commemorates the 54 people killed in 1941 while sheltering in the cellars of the former building on the site, during the Blitz.^[5]

In 1982 the theatre hosted a Poetry Olympics, where comedian Pat Condell took part.^[6]

Awards[link]

2004 - Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre

2008 - Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre

Refurbishment 2004-06[link]

The Clare

In 2003, the Young Vic launched a campaign to raise £12.5 million for a major reconstruction of its building and closed in 2004 for work to start.

Designed by architects Haworth Tompkins - also known for their refurbishment of the Royal Court Theatre, Regent's Park Open-Air Theatre, and two temporary venues for the Almeida - and with Jane Wernick Associates as the structural engineers, and consulting engineers Max Fordham LLP designing the building services, the refurbishment was completed in October 2006.

The main auditorium has been left intact, but refurbished and technically enhanced. The butchers' shop has also been retained as the main entrance to the building and also the box office.

The remainder of the 1970s structure has been rebuilt to provide new foyers, dressing rooms, two studio theatres, and workshop spaces. An award of £5 million was received from the Arts Council of England.

The Young Vic re-opened on 11 October 2006, with a production of the community opera Tobias and the Angel; with music by Jonathan Dove and a libretto by David Lan. The Stage review [1].

On 16 May 2007, the refurbished Young Vic won the RIBA London Building of the Year Award.^[7] Following this award, the Young Vic was also short-listed for the RIBA Stirling Prize on 27 July 2007.^[8]

A rebranding exercise by Sense Worldwide in 2010 resulted in the abandonment of its 30-year old 'sit anywhere' policy and a new strapline, "It's a big world in here".^[9]

Productions[link]

January 2011 - February 2012[link]

• Vernon God Little Book by DBC Pierre. Adaptation Tanya Ronder. Direction Rufus Norris. With Luke Brady, Clare Burt,^[10] Daniel Cerqueira, Peter De Jersey, Joseph Drake, Johnnie Fiori, Lily James, Penny Layden, Nathan Osgood and Duncan Wisbey.
• And the Rain Falls Down by Fevered Sleep. Direction Sam Butler. Direction & Design David Harradine.
• Terminus by Mark O'Rowe. Direction Mark O'Rowe. With Declan Conlon, Olwen Fouere and Catherine Walker.
• The Return of Ulysses by Monteverdi. An ENO/Young Vic Theatre co-production
• I Am the Wind by Jon Fosse. English language version by Simon Stephens. Direction Patrice Chereau and Thierry Theiu Niang. With Tom Brooke and Jack Laskey.
• Government Inspector by Nikolai Gogol in a new version by David Harrower. Direction Richard Jones. With Julian Barratt, Doon Mackichan and Kyle Soller.
• In the Penal Colony by Franz Kafka. Adapted by Amir Nizar Zuabi. Presented by ShiberHur Theatre Company of Palestine.
• The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh. Direction Joe Hill-Gibbins. With Rosaleen Linehan and Derbhle Crotty.
• Disco Pigs by Enda Walsh. Direction Cathal Cleary.
• Street Scene with The Opera Group. Music by Kurt Weill. Book by Elmer Rice. Lyrics by Langston Hughes. Music performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra and Southbank Sinfonia.
• One for the Road/Victoria Station by Harold Pinter.
• Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Direction Ian Rickson. The role of Hamlet performed by Michael Sheen.
• Orpheus in the Underworld in a new translation by Rory Bremner. A Scottish Opera and Northern Ireland Opera co-production
• Bingo by Edward Bond. Direction Angus Jackson. The role of Shakespeare performed by Patrick Stewart.

September 2010 - January 2011[link]

• The Human Comedy with The Opera Group. Music by Galt MacDermot. Book by William Dumaresq. From an original story by William Saroyan. Direction by John Fulljames. With Brenda Edwards.
• On Ageing by Fevered Sleep. Direction and Design David Harradine and Sam Butler.
• Faust adapted from Goethe by Vesturport. Direction Gisli Orn Gardarsson. Music by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis.
• The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. Direction Joe Hill-Gibbins. Music by Dario Marianelli. With Leo Bill, Deborah Findlay, Sinéad Matthews and Kyle Soller.
• Belarus Free Theatre: Numbers / Discover Love. Guest appearances from Adjoa Andoh, Jude Law, Ian McKellen, Sienna Miller and Samuel West.
• My Dad's a Birdman. By David Almond. Music by Pet Shop Boys. Direction Oliver Mears.

October 2009 - January 2010[link]

• Annie Get Your Gun. Music & lyrics by Irving Berlin. Book by Herbert & Dorothy Fields. Direction Richard Jones. With Jane Horrocks and Julian Ovenden.^[11]

May 2009 - August 2010[link]

• Sweet nothings based on Arthur Schnitzler's Liebelei from 1895, arranged by David Harrower, directed by Luc Bondy
• Where's Ali devised by Ned Glasier. Featuring Jamie Zubairi.
• Pictures from an Exhibition based on the suite by Modest Mussorgsky. Direction Daniel Kramer. Choreography Frauke Requardt.
• Kursk by Sound&Fury, in collaboration with Bryony Lavery.
• Been So Long Book, lyrics and direction Che Walker. Music and lyrics Arthur Darvill.
• Sus by Barrie Keefe. Direction Gbolahan Obisesan.
• Brilliant by Fevered Sleep. Direction David Harradine.
• The Container by Clare Bayley. Direction Tom Wright. Design Naomi Dawson.
• 4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane. Direction Christian Benedetti. With Anamaria Marinca.
• The Girlfriend Experience by Alecky Blythe. Direction Joe Hill-Gibbins.

January 2009 - April 2009[link]

• King Lear by William Shakespeare. Direction Rupert Gould. With Pete Postlethwaite as King Lear.
• The Indian Wants the Bronx by Israel Horovitz. Direction Daljinder Singh. Design Paul Wills.
• Kafka's Monkey Based on A Report to an Academy by Franz Kafka. Adaptation Colin Teevan. Direction Walter Meierjohann. With Kathryn Hunter.^[12]
• Bay devised by the company with writer Joel Horwood. Direction Sarah Tipple.
• After Dido Purcell's Dido and Aeneas in a new film and theatre piece. Direction Katie Mitchell.
• You Can See the Hills written and directed by Matthew Dunster. With William Ash.

July 2008 - January 2009[link]

• Street Scene. Music by Kurt Weill. Book by Edgar Rice. Lyrics by Langston Hughes.
• Fragments by Samuel Beckett. Direction Peter Brook.
• In the Red and Brown Water by Tarell Alvin McCraney (part of the Brother/Sister plays). Direction Walter Meierjohann. Design Miriam Buether.
• The Brothers Size by Tarell Alvin McCraney (part of the Brother/Sister plays). Direction Bijan Sheibani. Design Patrick Burnier.
• You Can See the Hills by Matthew Dunster. Direction Matthew Dunster. Designer Anna Fleischle.
• Amazônia by Colin Teevan and Paul Heritage. Direction Paul Heritage. Designer Gringo Cardia.
• Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen, adaptation Frank McGuiness. Direction William Oldroyd.

January 2008 - June 2008[link]

• A Prayer for My Daughter (play) by Thomas Babe. Direction Dominic Hill. Design Giles Cadle. Lighting Bruno Poet.
• The Good Soul of Szechuan by Bertolt Brecht. Translation David Harrower. Direction Richard Jones. Set Miriam Buether. Costume Nicky Gillibrand.

June 2007 - January 2008[link]

• Ma vie en rose based on the film by Alain Berliner. Direction Pete Harris. Music Gary Yershon. Choreography Ayse Tashkiran.
• The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers. Direction Matthew Dunster. Design Robert Innes Hopkins.
• Fragments by Samuel Beckett. Direction Peter Brook.
• The Investigation by Peter Weiss, adapted by Jean Baudrillard. Direction Dorcy Rugamba and Isabelle Gyselinx. Design Fabienne Damiean.
• The Brothers Size by Tarell Alvin McCraney (part of the Brother/Sister plays). Direction Bijan Sheibani. Design Patrick Burnier.
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens adapted and directed by Mark Dornford-May
• The Magic Flute by Mozart adapted and directed by Mark Dornford-May

October 2006 - June 2007[link]

• Tobias and the Angel – Music by Jonathan Dove. Words by David Lan. Direction John Fulljames. Conductor David Charles Abell. Design Alexander Lowde.
• Love and Money – by Dennis Kelly. Direction Matthew Dunster. Design Anna Fleischle.
• The Enchanted Pig – Music by Jonathan Dove. Words by Alasdair Middleton. Direction John Fulljames. Design Dick Bird.
• The Soldiers Fortune – by Thomas Otway. Direction David Lan. Set Lizzie Clachan. Costumes Joan Wadge.
• generations – by debbie tucker green. Direction Sacha Wares. Design Miriam Buether.
• A Respectable Wedding – by Bertolt Brecht. Translation Rory Bremner. Direction Joe Hill-Gibbins. Design Ultz.
• The Jewish Wife – by Bertolt Brecht. Translation Martin Crimp. Direction Katie Mitchell. Design Hildegard Bechtler.
• Senora Carrar's Rifles – by Bertolt Brecht. Translation Biyi Bandele. Direction Paul Hunter. Design Robert Innes Hopkins.
• How Much Is Your Iron? – by Bertolt Brecht. Translation Enda Walsh. Direction Orla O'Loughlin. Design Dick Bird.
• Vernon God Little – by DBC Pierre. Adaptation Tanya Ronder. Direction Rufus Norris. Design Ian MacNeil. Costumes Nicky Gillibrand.

Digital Theatre[link]

The Young Vic was one of the launch theatres for Digital Theatre, a project which makes theatre productions available in video download form. The first performances that were filmed were 'Kafka's Monkey' and 'The Container'.^[13]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Young Vic

• Official website
• Official blog
• Facebook profile
• Twitter page
• YouTube channel
• Haworth Tompkins Architects
• Jane Wernick Associates

Vic
—  Municipality  —
Plaça Major de Vic
Flag Coat of arms
Vic Location in Catalonia
Coordinates: 41°56′N 2°15′E / 41.933°N 2.25°E / 41.933; 2.25Coordinates: 41°56′N 2°15′E / 41.933°N 2.25°E / 41.933; 2.25
Country	Spain
Community	Catalonia
Province	Barcelona
Comarca	Osona
Government
• Mayor	Josep Maria Vila d'Abadal Serra (CIU)
Area
• Total	30.60 km2 (11.81 sq mi)
Elevation	484 m (1,588 ft)
Population (2007)
• Total	38,321
• Density	1,300/km2 (3,200/sq mi)
Demonym	Vigatà, vigatana
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)

Roman temple

Vic (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈbik]) is the capital of the comarca of Osona, in the Barcelona Province, Catalonia, Spain. Vic's location, only 69 km far from Barcelona and 60 km from Girona, has made it one of the most important towns in central Catalonia.

History[link]

Vic is of ancient origin. Vic, in past times, was called Ausa by the Romans. Iberian coins bearing this name have been found there. The Visigoths called it Ausona. Sewage caps on sidewalks around the city will also read "Vich," an old form of the name.

During the 8th and 9th centuries, Vic sat in the Spanish Marches that separated Frankish and Islamic forces. It was destroyed in 788 during a Muslim incursion. Afterwards only one quarter was rebuilt, which was called Vicus Ausonensis (vicus is Latin for city borough), from which the name Vic was derived. It was repopulated by Wilfred the Hairy in 878 who gained control over the high part of the city and gave up the lowest part to the bishop to construct the episcopal see. From then on, the city was ruled by the count of Barcelona and by the bishop of Vic.

At a council in Toulouges in 1027, the bishop of Vic established the first Peace and Truce of God that helped reduce private warfare.

During the 18th century the city was the first focus of the rebellion against the centralist policy of King Philip V of Spain. The conflict became the War of the Spanish Succession, which resulted in Catalonia losing its freedom as a nation.

In the early 20th century Vic had 9500 inhabitants, and in 1992 it hosted Roller Hockey events of the Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics.

Ecclesiastical history[link]

The bishopric is a suffragan of the archbishopric of Tarragona, bounded on the north by Girona, on the east by Girona and Barcelona, on the south by Barcelona and Tarragona, on the west by Tarragona and Lleida. It lies within the four Catalonian provinces, but the greater part of it in that of Barcelona.

The introduction of Christianity was undoubtedly very early, as martyrs of Ausa are recorded in the time of Emperor Decius, and in the earliest records of the Tarraconensian sees the Bishop of Vic is one of the very first mentioned. None, however, is mentioned by name until 516 when Cinidius is named as assisting at the provincial Council of Tarragona and Girona. Aquilinus (589-99) attended the third Council of Toledo; Esteban, the fourth and one at Egara; Dominus, the sixth of Toledo; Guericus, the eighth; Wisefredus sent his vicar to the thirteenth, and attended in person the fifteenth and sixteenth. With this bishop ends the history of the Church of Ausona before the Saracen invasion.

The reconquest of Vic was begun in the time of Louis the Pious, who confided the civil government to Borrell, Count of Ausona, all ecclesiastical matters being under the direction of the Archbishop of Narbonne.

In 826 Vic fell once more into the hands of the Moors and was finally reconquered by Wilfred the Hairy, independent Count of Barcelona.

Count Wilfred dedicated the famous monastery of Ripoll to the Blessed Virgin, and obtained from the Archbishop of Narbonne the consecration of Godmarus as Bishop of Vic. The bishops and the family of Montcada disputed the right of sovereignty over the city until 1315, when the Bishop Berenguer Gaguardia ceded his rights to the king, James II, who also purchased the rights of the Moncadas.

Bishop Atton (960-72) is worthy of mention as a great promoter of education. Many persons availed themselves of the advantages offered by his reforms, among them Gerbert, the monk of Aurillac, afterwards Pope Sylvester II, who was distinguished for his learning.

Another of the most illustrious bishops of Vic was Oliva (1018–46), son of the Count of Besalú, and Abbot of Ripoll where he reconstructed and richly decorated the church. The dedication took place 15 January 1032. He also, with the help of Ermesinda, Countess of Barcelona, reconstructed the cathedral and dedicated it to Sts. Peter and Paul on 31 August 1038. In the time of his successor Guillermo I the relics of its patron saints, the martyrs Lucianus and Marcianus, were found at Vic, and a council was held for the restoration of peace among the faithful.

Berenguer Seniofredo reformed the chapter, expelling lax members and introducing regular observance. Berenguer obtained for himself the dignity of Archbishop of Tarragona, which was contested by the Bishop of Narbonne. Among the Spanish bishops who attended the Council of Trent was Acisclo Moya de Contreras, Bishop of Vic, who was accompanied by the theologian Pedro Mercado.

Of the more recent bishops, Josep Morgades i Gili deserves special mention. He restored the monastery of Ripoll, destroyed and pillaged by the revolutionists, and reconsecrated its church on 1 July 1893. He also established at Vic an archaeological museum where he collected many treasures of medieval art which had been dispersed among the ancient churches of the diocese. The next Bishop of Vic was Josep Torres i Bages, a man of great culture and learning.

• Other celebrated natives of the Vic diocese include:

• Saint Antoni Maria Claret i Clarà, archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, confessor of Isabella II and founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in North America also known as the Claretians.

• Archbishop Josep Sadoc Alemany i Concill, Dominican and first archbishop of San Francisco, California.

• See also Roman Catholic Diocese of Vic

Culture[link]

Among other centers and institutions working to promote culture education, Vic is renowned for:

• The Universitat de Vic, a young but active University that, according to its numbers, has grown to be the most important outside the four main cities of Catalonia.
• The Museu episcopal, a medieval art museum administered by the bishopric.
• The Museu de la pell, a museum dedicated to leathers.
• The popular markets, trade fairs and festivals. Especially the Mercat de música viva de Vic & Mercat Medieval.

Economy[link]

For centuries, the city's primary industrial and commercial activity was a textile industry, now almost disappeared. Nowadays, the pillars of the economy are agriculture and other alimentary industries, and construction.

The city is famous for its sausages and other pork derivatives, especially fuet, a thin cured sausage. The making of cured sausages and cold meats stems from the long tradition of pig farming in the Vic plain.

Main sights[link]

It is disputed whether the Church of Sant Pere Apòstol or Sta. Maria la Rodona ^[1] was the first cathedral church. For centuries the bishops celebrated the first Christmas Mass in this church, and the third in that of Sant Pere.

The ancient Church of S. Maria was rebuilt from the foundations by Canon Guillem Bonfil in 1140, and consecrated forty years later by Bishop Pere Retorta. In 1787 it was demolished to make room for the new Cathedral. Bishop Jordi (915- 38) reconsecrated the Church of Ripoll and also consecrated that of Sta. Maria de Manresa.

The original cathedral, which had but a single nave, thick walls, and few windows, was replaced by that built by Bishop Oliva. As early as the thirteenth century Bishop Raimond d'Anglesola wrote a pastoral letter exhorting his people to contribute towards repairing the cathedral. In 1401 Bishop Diego de Heredia added a transept, and in 1585 the door of Sant Joan was added, but the necessity of a complete reconstruction was soon recognized, and towards the end of the eighteenth century the building was torn down, and the cornerstone of the new one was laid on 24 September 1781. It was consecrated on 15 September 1803. It is classic in design, a combination of Doric and Tuscan, with a facade of white stone enriched with a beautiful balustrade. It has three entrances, corresponding to the three naves, and colossal statutes of its six patrons. The interior is Corinthian. All the monuments and altars were destroyed when the old church was demolished, except the high altar which is of alabaster, in the Gothic style, and was given early in the fifteen century by D. Bernat Despujol. Among the chapels that of St. Bernat Calvó (1233–43), who assisted James I of Aragon in the conquest of Valencia, deserves special mention. The two-storied Gothic cloister is exceedingly beautiful. A handsome Gothic doorway leading to the chapter house has been preserved.

The conciliar seminary was begun in 1635 by Gaspar Gil and was finally finished, by command of Pope Benedict XIV, by Manuel Muñoz in 1748. The modern seminary is located in the former Jesuit College. It has sent out many famous men, among them Balmes and the poet Jacint Verdaguer, author of "L'Atlàntida". The episcopal palace was destroyed in the wars of 1640 and rebuilt by degrees, being completed by Bishop Veyan. The archaeological museum is in this building.

Manresa, where St. Ignatius Loyola wrote his Spiritual Exercises, is situated in the Diocese of Vic. His memory is venerated in the Santa Cova, which has been converted into a church, and a magnificent college of the Jesuits built near it.

Demography[link]

Miscellaneous[link]

The University of Vic never attained to any great importance; it is not known when or by whom it was founded. King Philip II granted it the privilege of conferring degrees, but only in philosophy and the arts (1599). Philip V, in the Corts of Barcelona (1702), granted it the power to confer degrees in theology and other higher sciences.

The greatest glory of Vic of modern times is Jaume Balmes, the foremost Spanish philosopher of the nineteenth century, whose remains are interred in the cloister of the cathedral. His first centenary was celebrated at Vic by a Catholic Congress.

Other celebrated natives of Vic include:

• Trinitarian Saint Michael de Sanctis
• Joseph Sadoc Alemany, (1814–1888), born in Vic, later Archbishop of San Francisco^[2]

On 2005-12-22, some inhabitants of the city won a total prize of about 500 million euros in the Spanish Christmas Lottery.^[3]

Sport[link]

The city has a roller hockey team, CHP Vic, one of the most important in Spain, and dispute the main League OK Liga.

See also[link]

• List of municipalities in Barcelona
• Osona
• Plain of Vic

Sources and references[link]

1. ^ Sta. Maria la Rodona archaeological site and history
2. ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Marquis Who's Who. 1967. 
3. ^ Spanish town wins big in lottery, CNN, December 22, 2005. Archived on the Internet Archive January 16, 2006.

• Panareda Clopés, Josep Maria; Rius Calvet, Jaume; Rabella Vives, Josep Maria (1989). Guia de Catalunya, Barcelona:Caixa de Catalunya. ISBN 84-87135-01-3 (Spanish). ISBN 84-87135-02-1 (Catalan).
•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Diocese of Vich". Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company. 
• Paul Freedman, "The Diocese of Vic" has broad implications for the medieval history of Catalonia in general
• Diocese of Vic general information of the Catholic-Hierarchy website

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Vic

• Official website (Catalan)
• Information - Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan)
• Information Statistical information - Institut d'Estadística de Catalunya (Catalan)
• Information from the Diputació de Barcelona (Catalan)
• University of Vic
• Tourist information

v t e Municipalities of Osona Alpens Balenyà El Brull Calldetenes Centelles Collsuspina Espinelves Folgueroles Gurb Lluçà Malla Manlleu Les Masies de Roda Les Masies de Voltregà Montesquiu Muntanyola Olost Oristà Orís Perafita Prats de Lluçanès Roda de Ter Rupit i Pruit Sant Agustí de Lluçanès Sant Bartomeu del Grau Sant Boi de Lluçanès Sant Hipòlit de Voltregà Sant Julià de Vilatorta Sant Martí d'Albars Sant Martí de Centelles Sant Pere de Torelló Sant Quirze de Besora Sant Sadurní d'Osormort Sant Vicenç de Torelló Santa Cecília de Voltregà Santa Eugènia de Berga Santa Eulàlia de Riuprimer Santa Maria de Besora Santa Maria de Corcó Seva Sobremunt Sora Taradell Tavertet Tavèrnoles Tona Torelló Vic Vidrà Viladrau Vilanova de Sau

Vic Chesnutt
Vic Chesnutt performing in 2008
Background information
Birth name	James Victor Chesnutt
Born	(1964-11-12)November 12, 1964 Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Origin	Athens, Georgia
Died	December 25, 2009(2009-12-25) (aged 45) Athens, Georgia, United States
Genres	Folk rock, Alt-Country
Occupations	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocal Acoustic guitar
Years active	1985–2009
Labels	Constellation, Texas Hotel, Capitol, PolyGram, Backburner, New West, Orange Twin
Associated acts	brute. Elf Power Silver Mt. Zion Sparklehorse Danger Mouse The Undertow Orchestra Widespread Panic
Website	vicchesnutt.com

James Victor "Vic" Chesnutt (November 12, 1964 – December 25, 2009) was an American singer-songwriter from Athens, Georgia. His first album, Little, was released in 1990,^[1] but his breakthrough to commercial success didn't come until 1996 with the release of Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, a tribute album of mainstream artists covering his songs.^[2]

Chesnutt released seventeen albums during his career, including two produced by Michael Stipe, and a 1996 release on Capitol Records, About to Choke. His musical style has been described by Bryan Carroll of allmusic.com as a "skewed, refracted version of Americana that is haunting, funny, poignant, and occasionally mystical, usually all at once".^[3]

Injuries from a 1983 car accident left him partially paralyzed; he used a wheelchair and had limited use of his hands.

Personal life[link]

An adoptee, Chesnutt was raised in Zebulon, Georgia, where he first started writing songs at the age of five. When he was 13, Chesnutt declared that he was an atheist, a position that he maintained for the rest of his life.^[4]

At 18, a car accident left him partially paralyzed; in a December 1, 2009 interview with Terry Gross on her NPR show Fresh Air, he said he was "a quadriplegic from [his] neck down", and although he had feeling and some movement in his body, he could not walk "functionally" and that, although he realized shortly afterward that he could still play guitar, he could only play simple chords.^[4] After his recovery he left Zebulon and moved to Nashville, Tennessee; the poetry he read there (by Stevie Smith, Walt Whitman, Wallace Stevens, W. H. Auden, Stephen Crane, and Emily Dickinson) served to inspire and influence him.^[5]

On December 25, 2009, Chesnutt died from an overdose of muscle relaxants that had left him in a coma in an Athens hospital.^[2] In the 2009 interview with Terry Gross, while discussing the song "Flirted with You All My Life", he said, "You know, I've attempted suicide three or four times. It didn't take."^[4]

Early career and films[link]

Around 1985, Chesnutt moved to Athens and joined the band, La-Di-Das, with future member of the Dashboard Saviors Todd McBride.^[5][6] After leaving that group, he began performing solo on a regular basis at the 40 Watt Club; it was there that he was spotted by Michael Stipe of R.E.M.. Stipe went on to produce Chesnutt's first two albums, Little (1990) and West of Rome (1991).^[5]

In 1993, Chesnutt was the subject of filmmaker Peter Sillen's independently produced documentary, Speed Racer: Welcome to the World of Vic Chesnutt, which was shown on PBS. Chesnutt also had a small role as "Terence" in the 1996 Billy Bob Thornton movie Sling Blade, which he later described self-mockingly as a poor performance.^[6]

In 1996, Chesnutt was exposed to a wider audience with the release of the tribute album Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation, the proceeds from which went to the Sweet Relief Fund. The album consisted of Chesnutt covers by famous musicians including Cracker, Garbage, The Smashing Pumpkins (with Red Red Meat), Madonna, R.E.M., Soul Asylum, and Live.

Collaborations[link]

Chestnutt performing live with Jessica Moss from A Silver Mount Zion in 2008

He recorded with many other groups and artists. He made two albums with fellow Athens group Widespread Panic, under the name of brute. Chesnutt wrote "Aunt Avis" and co-wrote "Blight", "Protein-Drink/Sewing-Machine", which are often performed live by Widespead Panic.^[7][8] "Aunt Avis" appeared on WSP's album Bombs & Butterflies, and Chesnutt made a guest appearance as well.^[9] The 1997 video for "Aunt Avis" was directed by Billy Bob Thornton and featured Chesnutt.^[9]

After getting to know engineer Scott Stuckey during the recording of West of Rome,^[10] Stuckey and Chesnutt became close friends and would go on to collaborate on various projects including, producing two more albums together,^[11][12] co-writing "Weed to the Rescue" for the Hempilation album,^[13] as well as working on numerous videos including "Ladle" for Capitol Records. At the time of his death, Chesnutt and Stuckey were working on a documentary about Chesnutt's music. The film is tentatively titled, "Degenerate" and should be out some time in 2012.^[14]

Chesnutt's 1998 album The Salesman and Bernadette was recorded with alt-country group Lambchop as the backing band. The album Merriment was a collaborative effort between Chesnutt and Kelly and Nikki Keneipp, with Chesnutt writing and singing the songs, and the Keneipps playing the music.

The 2005 album Ghetto Bells featured famed guitarist Bill Frisell, whom Chesnutt met in 2004 at the Century of Song concert series at the German festival RuhrTriennale. Ghetto Bells also featured lyricist and composer Van Dyke Parks on accordion and keyboards. Chesnutt's wife, Tina, would frequently play bass on his albums, including Ghetto Bells. His niece, and fellow songwriter, Liz Durrett also appeared on the album.

In the winter of 2006, he recorded North Star Deserter at the Hotel2Tango in Montreal. It was released on September 11, 2007 by Constellation Records. The record included contributions from Constellation artists Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, as well as Fugazi's Guy Picciotto. The album was produced by documentary filmmaker Jem Cohen.^[15]

In 2008, Athens, Georgia based Elephant 6 collective recording artists Elf Power collaborated with Chesnutt on the album Dark Developments, released as Vic Chesnutt, Elf Power, and the Amorphous Strums. The "amorphous strums" refers to Curtiss Pernice and Sam Mixon, who also played on the album.^[16]

In 2009, Chesnutt worked with many of the same contributors to the album North Star Deserter to release the album "At the Cut" in September. Also, Like with North Star Deserter the album was recorded in Montreal and released on Constellation Records.^[17] Later in 2009, Vic recorded the album titled "Skitter on Take-off" with Jonathan Richman which was inspired by the two albums recorded in Montreal and was released on Vapour.^[18]

In 2009, he sang on the track "Grim Augury" on from the album Dark Night of the Soul by Danger Mouse of Gnarls Barkley, Sparklehorse, and director David Lynch.

Label history[link]

Chesnutt's first four albums were released on the independent Texas Hotel label. He then recorded About to Choke (1996) for Capitol Records. The Salesman and Bernadette (1998) was on PolyGram; Merriment (2000) was on the Backburner Records label; spinART was the label for the self-performed and recorded Left to His Own Devices (2001). Chesnutt then found a home at the New West Records label, which released two of his albums. In 2004, New West also re-released the early Texas Hotel recordings, including expanded liner notes and extra tracks. in 2010: About to Choke was re-released on 180 gram vinyl on the Four Men with Beards label and is being distributed by City Hall Records.

Compilations[link]

Chesnutt was also a supporter of medical marijuana,^[19] which he said helped with his medical problems. He contributed the track "Weed to the Rescue" to the 1998 Hempilation II charity album, with proceeds going to NORML, an American organization dedicated to marijuana legalization.

He also appeared as a guest musician on Cowboy Junkies' 2007 album Trinity Revisited, a 20th anniversary edition of their classic album The Trinity Session. In 2011 Cowboy Junkies released Demons, an album of eleven Chesnutt covers.

Quotations[link]

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• "Other people write about the bling and the booty. I write about the pus and the gnats. To me, that's beautiful."^[20]

Discography[link]

• 1990 Little
• 1991 West of Rome
• 1993 Drunk
• 1995 Is the Actor Happy?
• 1996 About to Choke
• 1998 The Salesman and Bernadette
• 2000 Merriment
• 2001 Left to his Own Devices
• 2003 Silver Lake
• 2005 Ghetto Bells
• 2005 Extra Credit EP
• 2007 North Star Deserter
• 2008 Dark Developments (with Elf Power and The Amorphous Strums)
• 2009 Mitte Ende August OST
• 2009 At the Cut
• 2009 Skitter on Take-Off

With brute.

• 1995 Nine High a Pallet
• 2002 Co-Balt

See also[link]

• The Undertow Orchestra

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Vic Chesnutt

• Vic Chesnutt at the Open Directory Project
• Vic Chesnutt at Allmusic
• Vic Chesnutt discography at Discogs
• Daily Telegraph obituary
• Vic Chesnutt collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive