Fallen to earth and out of this world

Five original members of the famous Penguin Cafe Orchestra are set to perform a rare public gig at the Gulbenkian this summer.

The musicians, who call themselves the Orchestra That Fell to Earth, will play the music they created with Simon Jeffes, the founder of the PCO, who died of a brain tumour aged 48 in 1997.

The PCO first appeared in 1976 and performed and recorded their music - which Jeffes described as “imaginary folklore” and “modern semi-acoustic chamber music” - throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

After his death, the band played only privately but returned in 2007 for three sold-out concerts at the Union Chapel in Islington, which led to core PCO band members Geoffrey Richardson, Jennifer Maidman, Steve Fletcher and Annie Whitehead forming The Anteaters, later re-named as the Orchestra That Fell To Earth, with percussionist Liam Genockey, who toured with the original band.

“It wouldn’t have felt right to call ourselves the Penguin Cafe Orchestra as we felt that name denoted the original band,” said Mr Richardson.

“Now people are catching on that the Orchestra That Fell To Earth are the original members.”

The band plays PCO music as well as some of their own.

Mr Richardson, who lives in Canterbury, and Ms Maidman, from Birchington, admit they miss Simon but say it is great to have the band back together, playing his music.

They say they are particularly looking forward to playing the Gulbenkian.

“It’s a great little theatre,” said Mr Richardson.

“The music is about creating an intimate setting and the Gulbenkian is perfect for that.

“It’s supposed to be played in a place that is the antidote to ugliness, a place where people can feel comfortable.”

The Orchestra That Fell to Earth are playing on Saturday, July 13, at 8pm.

Tickets are £15 and can be booked at thegulbenkian.co.uk.