Martina trained in theatre with Phillippe Gaulier and Monica Pagneux in Paris in the late 80s (see About Martina). Her passion lies in writing and performing music for theatre, dance, film and community projects. She often writes for shows which she is also part of as a performer.
Martina has appeared in A Family Affair at the Arcola Theatre (Bow & Bellows), in Falling About at Sadlers Wells, at the Purcell Room (Bow & Bellows and Beskydy), the Brighton Fringe Festival (Bow and Bellows), Spitalfields Festival (Bow and Bellows), Klez Fest London, Komedia Brighton (Freylekh), Laban Theatre (Bubble Theatre & Green Candle), Kings Head Theatre (Neapolitan songs with Charles Castranova), at the Bath Literature Festival (Bow & Bellows), the Egg Theatre in Bath (showcase music), Lilian Baylis Theatre (Green Candle Dance), The Serpentine & the Baltic with “Hunky Bluff” by Lina Lapelyte and in the site-specific show Fissure in the Yorkshire Dales by Louise Ann Wilson performing music by Jocelyn Pook.
Martina composed the soundtrack for Paul Meyer’s film Conspirators (2006) and has collaborated with many companies and organisations including: RADA, Green Candle Dance Company, Protein Dance, First Framework, London Bubble Theatre, The New Factory of the Eccentric Actor, Shared Experience, Music in Hospitals, Vital Arts, the South Bank Centre, ENO Baylis, Stanley Hall Opera, Théâtre sans Frontières, Freshwater Theatre Company, The Chalk Circle Collective, UCL London.
Apart from playing solo, Martina currently performs with the versatile duo Bow & Bellows, in the 5-piece band Palavah, with the wonderful Klezmer band Freylekh and cellist extra-ordinaire Chris Allan. She keeps touring her language learning songs worldwide and is also providing music for Bronia Evers‘ wonderful storytelling in the One Moment in Time theatre. The latest production “Stone Soup” was created in association with the Little Angel Theatre, London.
Stone Soup, One Moment in Time
A retelling of the classic European folktale by puppeteer/ artist Bronia Evers (One Moment in Time), produced in collaboration with the Little Angel Theatre London, with original music by Martina Schwarz.
Falling About, Green Candle Dance Company
A dance theatre show, that addresses the often complex issues that surround falling, with original music by Martina Schwarz.
No Fear, Green Candle Dance Company
No Fear, a dance theatre show for young children about overcoming fear. Music by Martina Schwarz.
Adelaide & Noël, Green Candle Dance Company
A dance theatre show telling the story of two dancers, different in age and culture. They meet by chance and form a double act despite of their contrasting views about everything, especially climate change, with original music by Martina Schwarz.
Die Konspirantinnen (Conspirators) 2006
Polish Heroines in Resistance 1939-1945. A film by Paul Meyer. Music by Martina Schwarz.
The Odyssey, London Bubble Theatre
“The atmosphere was wonderfully exuberant and with almost the whole audience composed of families, this witty production worked on enough levels to keep everyone entertained. The ensemble cast, who all play multiple roles as well as singing and playing Martina Schwarz’s well-judged music, was great and clearly as pleased as the audience that the Bubble is back.” – Eleanor Turney
Sonámbulas Dance Performance
Three characters sharing their dreams have the same lunatic experience. Their dreamy feelings and emotions are tangled with the sounds of an accordion which travels with them, creating repeatedly ambiguous and mysterious worlds. Choreographed by Justyna Sochaj. Performers: Tomomi Kosano, Nashira Santanatalia Gómez, Justyna Sochaj. Music by Martina Schwarz.
The New Factory of the Eccentric Actor
Martina has composed and played music for most of the New Factory of the Eccentric Actor company’s large-scale theatre productions – which aim to bring revolutionary events in history alive. The Red Cabbage Café, New Babylon, 1905, Heroines of Revolution, Victory of the Sun and 1848 were performed between 1996-2013 in venues ranging from run-down factory halls to the Round House and Conway Hall in London.
Blacktooth Productions
Martina has been involved in numerous delightful evenings of words and music with Blacktooth Productions. She has been providing music together with Bow & Bellows, Palavah and within other musical formations.