VIRTUOSO

Synopsis

Mika, Paddy and Grace live in Luxembourg where Mika has a residency with the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra. They are a successful team, respectful of each other’s roles, a cosmopolitan young family typical of European cities.

Mika and Paddy prepare for Mika’s career-defining concert. She plays out of her skin and is hailed as one of the greats.

However, in giving herself so entirely to the music, something fundamental shifts inside Mika. She doesn’t understand it. But she can’t ignore it. She tells Paddy that she ‘has lost her body’ and ‘needs to go home to find it’.

Mika flies to Kyoto, the city of her ancestors. She enters a Zen monastery and seeks guidance from a master. Meanwhile back in Europe, Paddy is reeling. Through Paddy, we experience the emotional rollercoaster of a life turned upside down. He calls on his family in Ireland for help and visits a therapist.

Paddy follows Mika to Japan where he journeys from shock and concern for Mika, through anger, disbelief and hurt at her singular actions.

Through Mika, we experience the quiet pursuit of spiritual understanding and cultural belonging. She is reunited with a Japanese-style violin called the kokyu that belonged to her grandfather. Having abandoned her family and career, Mika’s journey is towards understanding this choice, a journey that leads her back to Luxembourg.

By now, Paddy wants Mika to sign a contract to dissolve their partnership and potentially get a divorce. With the clarity of someone who has spent months in a silent retreat, Mika must find a way to communicate why she left, what she learnt and what she loves about Paddy, who coped with the chaos, and emerged from the shadows of her ‘stardom’ as the virtuoso partner and parent.