I describe my life as a great patchwork quilt with over forty years experience working in the Performing Arts as a Composer, Lyricist, Musical Director, Writer and Performer. The first musical I wrote was ‘Hackback -The Computer Musical’ published by I.M.P. especially written for young performers and subsequently performed all over the world which was then followed by ‘A Tale Of Two Cities’ which reached the finals of the Vivian Ellis Awards. Since then I’ve co-written 24 shows for Image Musical Theatre. These shows are original adaptations of classic stories such as Alice in Wonderland, Robin Hood, The Reluctant Dragon, Wind in the Willows etc. and tour the country each year.
For the last 27 years I’ve worked extensively at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, made famous by Joan Littlewood, writing music and lyrics for their pantomimes including ‘Cinderella’ which in 2007 was the first pantomime ever to be nominated for an Olivier award. I’ve been a West End M.D., conducted concerts and shows at places like the Albert Hall, (including Musical Director for the inaugural performance of the World Children’s Ensemble involving young people from 37 different countries) The South Bank, a choir of 5,000 at the O2 and even the Sibelius Academy in Finland.
Other projects included working with Ray Davis of the Kinks on his musical ‘Come Dancing’, with Pete Townsend on a new version of his rock opera ‘Tommy’ and the Blockheads on the show ‘Reasons To Be Cheerful’ with Graeae Theatre Company who place access at the heart of their work and with whom I performed at the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games in 2012.
I’ve also been Head of Singing at Italia Conti stage school and have been the Musical Director for Theatretrain, since their inception, who have been at the heart of performing arts training for young people across the country for over 30 years as well as writing three shows for the Millfield Theatre Youth company in Edmonton.
In recent years it’s been a real delight to be able to use my skills here in Letchworth firstly working at the Broadway Gallery creating music to go with the ‘Mediator’ exhibition by artist Abi Spendlove and also providing a music workshop for their family arts programme. I’m also the conductor of City Chorus, our fabulous community choir representing all walks of life here in Letchworth and have worked in conjunction with the Heritage and the Gallery going into schools in recent years to recreate Arbor Day, which used to be a large and essential part of Letchworth’s history
This variety of experience working with professionals and nurturing the skills of young people who want to get into the arts gives me a great tool kit to be able to help all I can to bring the arts into the very fabric of the town, helping members of the community of all ages to learn, gain, grow and enjoy what Letchworth has to offer artistically, and to extend that offer for years to come.