Broken Instruments - Audio Drama Recording

A musical journey toward a better and peaceful future

Inspired by love and his passion for music, Ari Vander charges through life wowing audiences with his sublime violin playing. It’s 1938; Ari’s love for jazz grows whilst German authorities restrict Jews from playing their own music, especially jazz, and after one risky covert concert, Ari’s musical spirit is dashed.

The Night of the Broken Glass. Battling through the atrocities of the Holocaust, we follow Ari’s story, as he meets an old friend and learns to love music again. Intertwined with beautiful original music and featuring a haunting musical score, Broken Instruments is the story of how the power of music can bring people together, give them a sense of purpose ,and help them to survive unimaginable cruelty.

Written by William Varnam

Music and lyrics by Phil Baggaley and Mark Edwards

First recorded in 2020 and released on the 6th September 2021.

Original Cast and Creatives

Ari Vander - Bill Varnam

Younger Ari - Adam Horvath

Boy Ari - Jesse Battle

Teacher/Mordechai - Paul Goldsmith

Mother - Mica Loveridge

Rose/Nadya 1 - Kate Spencer

Levi/Yochanan - Aaron Belcher

Rabbi/SS Doctor - Ivan Stott

Nicu/Noach - Danny Hendrix

Besnik/Mendel - Joe Allen

Zindelo - Daniel Ellis

SS Guard - Andrew Buxton

Nadya 2 - Kelsey Shaw

Female Vocals - Kelsey Shaw

Male Vocals - Mal Pope

Orchestration - Mark Edwards

Nylon string guitar - Phil Baggaley

Violin - Ben Sarfas

Sound Design & Direction - Daniel Ellis

Vocal Engineering - Rob Bullock

Producer - Nick Battle

Mastering - Lowland Masters