4 Jul 2015
I’m back in Belfast in August to begin rehearsals on an exciting new production of Annie Get Your Gun. It’s an actor-musician adaptation, so I’m busy reworking the orchestrations for our multitalented cast. The production is produced Theatre At The Mill in Newtownabbey. It is directed by PETER CORRY.
Annie Oakley is the best shot around, and when Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show comes to town he persuades this novel sharpshooter to join his Wild West Show; it only takes one glance for Annie to fall head over heels for the dashing star of the show, shooting ace Frank Butler. She soon eclipses Butler as the main attraction and, nursing a bruised ego, he hightails it off to join a rival show, eventually to be pitted against Annie in a final shoot-out. The rousing, sure-fire finale hits the mark every time in a testament to the power of female ingenuity. Features the all-time classic hits ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’, ‘Doin’ What Comes Natur’lly’ and ‘Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better’.
The show opens 28th September 2015. For more information and booking visit http://www.theatreatthemill.com/PEO/show.asp.
4 Jul 2015
I’m pleased to be working on the Bruiser MAC Summer Schools and Graduate Academy again this year.
The Summer Schools now in their ninth year and the Graduate Academy now in it’s fifth year, allow young actors will get the opportunity to work with professional theatre directors, LISA MAY (Artistic Director of Bruiser Theatre Company), PATRICK J. O’REILLY (theatre performer and writer), SARAH JOHNSTON (choreographer) and myself towards a theatre performance in the MAC Studio Theatre, using Bruiser’s unique physical style.
I’ll specifically be looking at various ensemble musical theatre extracts.
For dates and more information visit Bruiser’s website: http://www.bruisertheatrecompany.com/.
4 Jul 2015
I’m heading to Basildon this year for the panto season. I’m looking forward to be working with SIMON FiELDING on Jack and the Beanstalk at the Towngate Theatre.
The pantomime runs from 2 December 2015 to 3 January 2016. For more information and tickets visit http://www.towngatetheatre.co.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3940.
4 Jul 2015
I’m pleased to be writing music for Bruiser Theatre Company’s next production Playhouse Creatures by APRIL DE ANGELIS. It’s a bawdy and brilliant all-female show that opens at The MAC this September before a Irish tour. The show is directed by Bruiser’s Artistic Director LISA MAY, designed by STUART MARSHALL, with a lighting design by JAMES MCFETRIDGE. The cast comprises AMY MOLLOY, JO DONNELLEY, ROISIN GALLAGHER, CLAIRE BURNS and ROMA TOMELTY.
My previous composing work with Bruiser includes The Nose, Caucasian Chalk Circle and Lady Windermere’s Fan.The show opens 22 September 2015 at The MAC, Belfast. For further information and tickets visit http://www.bruisertheatrecompany.com/playhouse-creatures.html.
1 Jul 2015
I’m off to Spain next week to teach a musical theatre workshop. The workshop is being held in Murcia and is hosted by ANTONIO BARCELONA and ALIZIA ROMERO (CMT) will be on hand helping with translation.
The three-day workshop is going to focus on the fundamentals of vocal technique, applying acting techniques to songs and using accents when singing. I’m also doing a day of private coaching. It’s going to be a busy few days.
Antonio is currently a student in the “Esad”, the Art & Drama Murcia Institute. He began his musical career when he was six years old, as a soloist of the local chamber orchestra “Virgen de la Soledad”. He sang as tenor in the “Iuvenis Musica” chamber choir in Cartagena. Alizia successfully trained as an Estill Certified Master Teacher with myself and Klaus Møller. She is now in demand as a performer and voice teacher.
Murcia Workshop Flyer (English)
6 Jun 2015
The Break musical had it’s first London showing Upstairs at the Arts Theatre this month. The Break is written by DREW DILLON. It was selected to be showcased as part of Shrapnel Theatre’s New Musical Night. The cast included DEREK AIDOO, LUCYELLE CLIFFE, DAVID MARKEN, KATHRYN RUTHERFORD and also ADAM DOUGAL who reprised his role of Ben from the original PickNMix Festival at The MAC, Belfast in 2013.
Set in modern day Belfast, The Break explores the story of a family unit and their dysfunctions within. With the ring of Duncan Sheik, Jonathan Larson and Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, The Break is a modern-day pop-rock opera, engrained deeply in the culture and music of Northern Ireland, taking a sharp look at the secrets families hide and the damage they can do to each other. This showcase was directed Shrapnel’s Artistic Director ISLA VAN TRICHT with musical direction from JAMES ROBERT BALL.It was great to see the piece up on it’s feet again and it was well received. I’m looking forward to working with Drew as the musical continues to develop.
