Cello | Improvisation | Workshops | Sound & Composition
Hannah Marshall
photograph by Julian Richards
photograph by Peter Gannushkin
https://downtownmusic.net/
Hannah has been composing, performing and recording in theatre and performance projects, live art, films, podcasts, exhibitions & remote collaborations, for 20+ years.
She finds distinct sonic worlds using playful approaches.
Whether through minimal or textual sources, field recording, composing with old fashioned melody and harmony, highlighting the subtler aspects or the bold and obvious, she aims to use music and sound to flesh out the sensory world of a project, and bring narratives and human stories to life.
Companies and people she has worked for include White Rabbit, Social Broadcasts, Little Angel Theatre, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Akademi, Improbable, Anton Mirto, Liam Clarke, Royal Opera House, Mildred Rambaud, Norwich Puppet Theatre, People Show, Wild theatre, The Young Vic. The Ding Foundation, The University of The Arts, Emma Bernard, Oval House Theatre & Indefinite Articles.
For more of Hannah's past work in theatre go here
A few recorded projects are available to listen online, see below.
If Hannah's approach and work sounds like the right fit for your project, get in touch.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN LUTON
BERNADETTE RUSSELL/WHITE RABBIT
Released February 2026. 'Once Upon a Time in Luton' is an album of 12 short stories co-created by the children of Luton and Kingfisher Primary Schools, residents of Victory Care Home, and staff and visitors of Luton Library in Luton, Medway. The stories were created in response to the local area, featuring crow weddings, sleeping giants and wise horses. A folklore for the 21st century - Suitable for all ages.
A project by White Rabbit arts organisation.
Stories compiled by Bernadette Russell and Emma Waterford. Sound design by Hannah Marshall. Art work by Melanie Smith
Please visit www.onceuponatimeinluton.com to find out more about the project and those involved, and download a beautiful map created by Melanie Smith to accompany the tracks.
LOWLINES - SERIES 1 - by Petra Barran
co-produced with Scenery Studios
6 adventurous podcast episodes, released from 6th February 2024.
Lowlines is a 100% independent, 100% female production that follows food entrepreneur Petra Barran as she travels solo through the Americas, meeting people with profound connections to the places they’re from.
Creator and host - Petra Barran. Audio producer/sound designer - Lucia Scazzocchio. Executive Producer - Lina Prestwood. Score - Hannah Marshall. Jobina Tinnemans – Mastering, David Mascha – Artwork
Winner of the 2024 International Women's Podcast Award.
SITES / DAWNING / LITTLE DARK / NOTIONS
These tracks use field recordings of London and surrounding partly industrialised and open countryside in Essex.
They include nightwalks, conversations, inside and outside buildings, public places, and cello playing based on simple approaches to rhythm and drones.
The tracks were made during and after a short course in field recording and sound-design at Goldsmiths.
Played recorded and mixed by Hannah Marshall. Released on Bandcamp February 2022
LORE OF THE WILD - PROJECT FOR ESTUARY FESTIVAL '21
Hannah composed the score for Lore of The Wild, playing, recording, editing and mixing the sound design using field and studio recordings, and running the studio sessions with an amazing group of actors for this narrated audio walk. Lore of The Wild explores the many characters of the wild inhabiting Lesnes Abbey Wood in South East London. Written by Bernadette Russell and Sophie Austin
Artwork by Melanie Smith. Sound designer and composer Hannah Marshall. Voice artists Natasha Magigi, Charlie Foloronsho, Thierry Spall, Harriet Kershaw and Bernadette Russell. Created in collaboration with Lesnes Abbey Wood.
SOUND FOR AN EXHIBITION EXPLORING UNDERWATER WORLDS
AT NORDEN FARM CENTRE OF THE ARTS
A collection of ambient sound tracks for a sensory exhibition exploring underwater worlds for young and old at Norden Farm Centre of the Arts in Berkshire. The exhibition was created in collaboration with local communities and young people with artist Amelia Pimlott.
SOUND FOR AN EXHIBITION EXPLORING STORIES & STORY TELLING
AT NORDEN FARM CENTRE OF THE ARTS
A collection of ambient sound tracks for a sensory exhibition exploring stories and story telling for young and old at Norden Farm Centre of the Arts in Berkshire. The exhibition was created in collaboration with local communities and young people with artist Amelia Pimlott.
SOUND FOR AN EXHIBITION EXPLORING MAGICAL LANDSCAPES
AT NORDERN FARM CENTRE OF THE ARTS
A collection of ambient sound tracks for a sensory exhibition exploring magical landscapes for young and old at Norden Farm Centre of the Arts in Berkshire. The exhibition was created in collaboration with local communities and young people with artist Amelia Pimlott.
STONEBELLY - WILD THEATRE 2011
Seven tracks from the 2011 production for 'Suspense' Festival 2011. Performed at The Little Angel Theatre by Rebecca Wild. Reviewed by Isobel Smith
"...Stonebelly, possessed a trance-like hypnotic power. Magnified by Hannah Marshall's specially composed score, it lured the audience smoothly and effectively into its world of dreams and memories, a place inhabited by discarded and forgotten things scavenged from the far beaches of New Zealand and the flea markets of Vienna.....When I emerged, slightly disorientated, into the foyer of the Little Angel, I could feel the last of the sand falling and settling in my head. What an amazing dream." Photo image by Bartek Kubiak