Acclaimed composer Anne Nikitin has written an original orchestral score for The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks.
Her rousing soundscape to this epic experience which offers a unique perspective on humankind’s past and future voyages to the moon, has been recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the iconic Abbey Road Studios. The show will open at London’s Lightroom on 6 December.
Nikitin said: “I’ve been fascinated by space exploration since childhood and still gaze at the night sky in awe and wonder. So, writing music for an immersive exploration of the moon landings has been a dream come true. Working with Tom Hanks, The Moonwalkers team, and recording with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios has been one of those unforgettable life experiences.”
James Williams, Managing Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, said: “The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is excited to be part of the Lightroom’s Moonwalker project. This unique, immersive experience is a fantastic way to open people’s eyes to the wonder of the Moon and Anne Nikitin’s soundtrack, recorded by our musicians at Abbey Road Studios, completes the amazing world that the Lightroom team has created with Tom Hanks at the helm.”
Nikitin was born in Canada to Romanian and Polish parents and grew up in various countries around the world. She immersed herself in avant-garde music while studying composition at McGill University in Montreal and was awarded a SOCAN prize for Young Composers of Canada. She completed her Master’s in composition for Screen at the Royal College of Music in London and after winning the BBC new TV composers scheme in 2006 she received countless commissions with major television broadcasters.
Her previous work includes the Apple TV+ hit series HIJACK starring Idris Elba and the cult heist movie American Animals starring Evan Peters and Barry Keoghan. Nikitin’s work on The Imposter was described as ‘classy’ and ‘cosmic’ by the Guardian and Indiewire respectively. Her upcoming work on Lightroom’s The Moonwalkers is sure to be nothing short of extraordinary, as her distinct style lends itself perfectly to the themes of the show.
The Moonwalkers is co-written by Tom Hanks and Christopher Riley, and directed and designed by 59 Productions, the team behind Lightroom’s David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) whose previous work also includes Apollo 50: Go for the Moon at the Washington Monument in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Lightroom’s CEO and Producer of The Moonwalkers, Richard Slaney, said ‘Lightroom’s mission is to create new kinds of experiences with the world’s greatest creative voices, using groundbreaking technology to tell stories for everyone. Tom Hanks is an icon, with unparalleled experience of great cinematic storytelling, and has a true passion and expertise for the history of space exploration. Alongside a world-class international creative team, Anne Nikitin’s wonderful score, he’s the perfect person to bring to life the Apollo and Artemis missions as never before and unlock even more of Lightroom’s potential.’
Opens 6 December 2023 / Lightroom / London King’s Cross N1C
Tickets are from £25 for adults and from £15 for students.
For more information contact Dee McCourt / 07803 726543 or Rachel Wingate / 07807 354540 //