Making a Musical

It’s the eve of the mayoral election, and the kids of Hamelin aren’t happy. The mayor and owner of the local pie factory has imposed a music ban, and to make matters worse, there’s a serious rat problem. But, there have been whispers of a mysterious rat catcher in town. Can this curious stranger help Hamelin to find its voice once more? Pied Piper is a raucous musical re-imagining of a medieval fairy-tale. Featuring a hugely talented cast of beatboxers, musicians and special guest performances from the local community, get ready for an electrifying night of vocal wizardry for all the family.Featuring songs ‘Welcome to Hamlin’ performed by the cast (Lead Rap Conrad Murray) and ‘I Wanna Sing’ performed by the cast (Lead Vocal Kate Donnachie).Conrad Murray (he/him) Writer & Co-DirectorConrad Murray is a theatre maker, director, musician, rapper, beatboxer, writer and composer. As artistic director, he has led the BAC Beatbox Academy since 2008, innovating in hop hop/ beatbox theatre with various projects. His recent production Romeo & Juliet with the Polka Theatre and Beats & Elements , which he Co Directed and wrote, has been nominated for four Off West End awards including best music and production. His production company for making new hip hop shows is called rODIUM LTD.  He was recently the Musical Director and Composer on Michael Rosens’ An Unexpected Twist’, book by Roy Williams. His production with the BAC Beatbox Academy, Frankenstein: How to Make a Monster got 5 star reviews from The Stage, The Guardian and others. It won the Off West End award, Total Theatre award, and was the highest rated show of the Edinburgh Fringe, and won pick of the fringe at the Adelaide fringe festival.  It was adapted into a BBC film in 2020. Pilots’ Crongton Knights  (Musical Director was picked as one of the top theatre shows of the year by the Guardian in 2020. He was chosen as part of the Stage’s top 100 people in their 2020 list which highlighted his show High rise State Of Mind with his theatre company Beats & Elements, and a finalist in The Arts Foundations theatre makers category.  He was Beatbox Coach on Giles Terera’s The Meaning Of Zong  for the Bristol Old Vic. He was director for Connor Allen’s autobiographical Grime theatre experience Making Of A Monster for the Wales Millennium Centre.  In 2022, his first published works were published by Bloomsbury/Methuen Drama, Making hip hop theatre and three original texts Beatbox & Elements – A Hip Hop Theatre Trilogy.  He has collaborated and/or made work for various venues and institutions including Battersea Arts Centre, The National Theatre Studio, The Lyric Hammersmith, Mountview School of Theatre Arts, The Tate, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Camden People’s Theatre, Roundhouse, Theatre Royal Stratford East, UCL, The Courtyard Theatre.@ rODIUMRecords/rODIUMFollow The Other Palace: @TheOtherPalaceAre you writing a new musical in the UK? Consider submitting your show for the podcast: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/making-a-musical-podcast/ 

It’s 1979 and David Starr is unquestionably one of the smartest, most talented sixth-formers in East Dulwich – he’s got a wild imagination, a vocal range to die for, and a bedroom plastered with posters of his beloved pop idols: Blondie, Sting, and Kate Bush. But being smart, talented, with a great taste in music may not be enough to get him through secondary school, where, to his great surprise, he’s just been given the female lead in the school play. The unconventional casting sends shockwaves through David’s small town, first with David, and then with his parents, his aunt, and his classmates.Before long, it seems like everybody has an opinion on whether David should go on with the show, inspiring him to turn to his no-nonsense best friend Frances and his unlikely co-star Maxie, the enigmatic captain of the football team.Based on the novel ‘Becoming Nancy’ by Terry Ronald.Featuring songs ‘The Risk’ performed by Blake Patrick Anderson and ‘Just For Today’ performed by Bianca Claxton and Isaac Gryn.For more information about George and Terry, visit:https://bit.ly/MAM-Becoming-NancyFollow The Other Palace: @TheOtherPalaceFollow Becoming Nancy: @becomingnancyAre you writing a new musical in the UK? Consider submitting your show for the podcast: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/making-a-musical-podcast/

Faced with the backdrop of the First World War, the insular residents of Bryher can no longer escape the realities of life beyond the islands. It takes the innocence of youth – in the shape of plucky young Gracie Jenkins, and her sailing companion and confidant Daniel Pender – to try to blow apart the fear and hatred that threatens to destroy their community, lifting a powerful curse in the process. Adapted from the book by Michael Morpurgo.Featuring songs ‘Glory Feels Hollow’ performed by Bella Barlow, Scarlett Bowcott, Lisa Bridge, Frankie Jones & Katy Shorten and ‘Shadows & Fog’ performed by Scarlett Bowcott, Frankie Jones & Matthew Ronchetti (Ensemble: Lisa Bridge, Vincent Pirillo, Katy Shorten & Duncan Smith).Bella Barlow (she/her) MusicTrained at the University of Southampton & The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama.  As composer & arranger, Musicals include: Christmas in the City (inspired from songs off of Barlow & Smith's Christmas album of the same name), Lock & Key (VAULT FESTIVAL 2018), and Vanya’s (a brand new Musical). She has written and performed internationally for several projects including at the United Nations and HRH Queen's 90th Birthday Celebrations. She is currently working on a new Musical with poet Pam Ayres. @Bella_Barlow / bellabarlowNikki Racklin (she/her) Book & LyricsHer commissions include Love Me To Death, an opera about Ruth Ellis, which was performed at the Barbican Pit Theatre and the Tête à Tête Opera Festival, and Deptford Wives, an adaptation of the award-winning radio play. Working alongside Ben Glasstone, Nikki is currently developing Mini: The Boy Who Played With Fire, a glam-rock-fuelled musical about Michael ‘Mini’ Cooper, and writing the lyrics to a stage-musical adaptation of Tracy-Ann Oberman’s BBC R4 drama Bette and Joan and Baby Jane, exploring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford’s deep-seated rivalry on the set of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, with music by James Cleeve. @nikkiracklinFollow The Other Palace: @TheOtherPalaceAre you writing a new musical in the UK? Consider submitting your show for the podcast: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/making-a-musical-podcast/

Feral Monster is a banging new musical about an unremarkable teenager. With a soundtrack mashing up grime, R&B, soul, pop and rap, the show follows Jax and her noisy, opinionated brain as they navigate love, identity, class and family. "We're trying to tell a story that is queer, that is Welsh, that is rural." Bethan Marlow. Commissioned and produced by National Theatre Wales.Featuring songs ‘OMG’ and ‘Dal Fi’ performed by Lily Beau, Geraint Rhys Edwards, Carys Eleri, Rebecca Hayes, Nathaniel Leacock and Leila Navabi, recorded live at the Sherman Theatre.Bethan Marlow (she/they) Book & LyricsBethan Marlow is an award-winning writer from North Wales. Her highly acclaimed theatre credits include PIGEON (Theatr Iolo/Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru), MOLD RIOTS (Theatr Clwyd) and NYRSYS (Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru). Bethan’s current theatre commissions are with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and Welsh National Opera.Bethan is currently developing original TV drama series for Five Acts, World Productions and Film Nation. She is also working on two feel-good queer feature films: MADISON with the BFI and IEIE Productions and QUEER AS FOLK DANCING with Ffilm Cymru and Ardimages UK.Bethan was recently selected for the Wscripted Cannes Screenplay List and BAFTA x BFI Flare mentoring scheme.Nicola T. Chang (she/her) MusicNicola T. Chang is a composer/sound designer who has recently worked on For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy (West End/Royal Court/New Diorama) and My Neighbour Totoro (RSC/Barbican). @nicolatchangFollow The Other Palace: @TheOtherPalaceAre you writing a new musical in the UK? Consider submitting your show for the podcast: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/making-a-musical-podcast/

Season 5 Making a Musical: The Future of British Musical Theatre Podcast LineupMaking a Musical podcast returns for Season 5 with an exciting lineup! Each episode will feature music and exclusive interviews with the writers and creatives of new musicals at varying stages of development. Episodes to be released from 22 April 2024.Avalon The Old Legend, A New Musical Music & Lyrics by Callum Shannon.Avalon follows the classic tale of the tragic destiny of soon-to-be King Arthur and his half-sister Morgan, through the lens of our wizardly charismatic narrator, Merlin.Becoming NancyBook by Elliot Davis. Music by George Stiles. Lyrics by Anthony Drewe.Additional Music & Lyrics by Elliot Davis, Terry Ronald & George Stiles.Based on the novel by Terry Ronald.It's 1979 and David Starr is unquestionably one of the smartest, most talented sixth-formers in East Dulwich – to his surprise, he’s been given the female lead in the school play which sends shockwaves through David’s small town.FANGIRLS Book, Music and Lyrics by Yve Blake. Meet Edna: she’s 14, she’s a misfit, and she’s in love with Harry. There’s just one problem: Harry’s in the world’s biggest boy band and doesn’t know she exists. Exactly how far is she prepared to go in the name of love?Feral MonsterWritten by Bethan Marlow. Composed by Nicola T. Chang.Commissioned and produced by National Theatre Wales.A banging new musical about an unremarkable teenager. With a soundtrack mashing up grime, R&B, soul, pop and rap, the show follows Jax and her noisy, opinionated brain as they navigate love, identity, class and family. Pied PiperConceived by Conrad Murray (Writer) & Lara TaylorA brand new hip-hop musical. It’s the eve of the mayoral election, and the kids of Hamelin aren’t happy. The authorities have imposed a music ban, and there’s a serious rat problem. But can the mysterious rat catcher in town help?REDCLIFFEWritten by Jordan Luke Gage.Based on the true events of William Critchard and Richard Arnold in 1753, Redcliffe is an epic tale of forbidden love in spite of the persecution people faced for hundreds of years. The Night our Parents DisappearedBook & lyrics by Andy Room. Composed by Oli Rew.Jaz’ parents have vanished. Now, with the help of teenage inventor Melanie, she must work out where they’ve gone and how to get them back. And what’s going on with those ninja teddy bears.We’ll Have Nun of ItBook by Rosie Dart. Music, Lyrics and Book by Finola Southgate.It’s 1967 – against this new era, four friends navigate life at St Anne’s Convent School. But as opinions collide and feelings towards one another shift, the group’s final year doesn’t play out as planned.Why the Whales CameBooks & Lyrics by Nikki Racklin. Composed by Bella Barlow. Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo.In the shadow of WW1, the insular residents of Bryher are terrified of the solitary ‘Birdman’. It takes the innocence of youth, to blow apart the fear and superstition that threaten to destroy the community, lifting a long-standing curse in the process.

A one-woman musical about the highs and lows of a life devoted to creating art. Our story follows Marie-Berthe Cazin, a Parisian ceramist in her mid 40s, as she prepares her house for the visit of Henrietta Tirman; renowned artist and her estranged best friend. As she does so, she begins to reminisce, and dream about what could have been.Featuring songs 'Talent’ performed by Alex Young and ‘Spark’ performed by Danielle Steers, live at The Other Palace.Jack Miles (he/him) Music & Lyrics/ProducerJack is a composer/lyricist with a Master's degree in Musical Theatre Writing from Goldsmiths. He is an associate artist of Profugo Arts, as well as an Iris Theatre Platform Artist. His shows include: St. Anne Comes Home (Actors Church), The Problem with Fletcher Mott (Drayton Arms), Adeline (Cockpit Theatre). @jackhasthisnowRebecca Simmonds (she/her) Book & Lyrics/Producer Rebecca holds a master’s degree in musical theatre composition from Goldsmiths, University of London, is a Selladoor New Writers Programme alumni and a part of the Book, Music & Lyrics Advance Group. She has previously directed and produced a number of Edinburgh fringe productions with Bedlam Theatre, EUSOG & For the Fans Productions and is currently developing a new show, “The Sesh” with writer and composer Rob Gathercole. @beccalouisesimmondsFollow With In Clay: @inclaymusicalFollow The Other Palace: @TheOtherPalaceAre you writing a new musical in the UK? Consider submitting your show for the podcast: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/making-a-musical-podcast/

8 women join a local songwriting group called The Circle to make music but end up making connections that change their lives.Featuring songs 'Drown Without Water’ performed by Poppy Morgan and ‘Let the Women Eat’ performed by Sharon Rose.Rachel Walker Mason (she/her) Music & LyricsA GRAMMY considered artist, finalist in Stiles and Drewe Best New Song 2023, recipient of a British Citizen Award for contribution to the arts, multi-award-winning musician, Woman Of The Year 2020, executive member of The Songwriters Hall of Fame and mental health ambassador. Rachel is mixed white and Asian, bisexual and disabled. Twitter: @rachwalkermason, Instagram: @rachelwalkermasonEloise Hodder (she/her) Book Actor, director, interdisciplinary performer and educator. Worked as the director/creator of Trapped (Donmar and Endeavour), received the Jack Petchey Youth Community Project Award for Delicate Rose tour and nominated for a Royal Television Society Award for Gannin’ Yem. Eloise has been an Education Associate for the Donmar, Bush Theatre and Michael Grandage Theatre Company. Twitter: @eloiseHH, Instagram: @eloisehodderofficialFollow The Circle: Instagram: @thecirclemusicalTwitter: @circle_musicalTiktok: @thecircle.musicalFollow The Other Palace: @TheOtherPalaceAre you writing a new musical in the UK? Consider submitting your show for the podcast: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/making-a-musical-podcast/

Past and present intertwine in this new folk musical about the history, bravery, and sacrifices of our lifeboat communities. Witnesses to a tragedy in 1886, Charles and Marion Macara unite to support a town in grief, inspiring a nationwide movement set to forever change the tide of fundraising. Current day crew member, Shannon, balances her new family responsibilities with an inherited sense of duty to honour the legacy of family members past. In two hundred years, the same question remains - how far will you go to save a stranger?Featuring songs 'With Courage’ and ‘Grace’ performed by Jonathan Charles, Mary Erskine, Philippa Hogg, and Dyd Wynford.Jon Hare (he/him) Writer & ComposerJon's other musicals include Never Again, inspired by true events from WWI, and Charming, an 80s jukebox show set in a bankrupt kingdom 25 years after the failed marriage of Prince Charming and Cinderella. In 2021 he recorded a demo album for his Christmas family musical, The First Chris Moose, at Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch, with MD Dan Glover. Jon has been a freelance Production and Stage Manager for over fifteen years, working at National Theatre, Young Vic, Roundhouse, Windsor Castle, and others. He also works as a freelance consultant to international lyricists, specialising in helping those for whom English is not their first language. @horatiohareSteph Weller (she/her) Producer Steph is an Old Vic 12 trained and Stage One supported producer, and is in-house producer for Reading Rep. Via her company PlayWell Productions, commissions and credits include the plays Live To Tell: (a Proposal for) The Madonna Musical, Very Special Guest Star, Clown Sex, and I Ain’t Dumb, and musicals Black Power Desk, Lesbian Pirates! and With Courage. China Plate is supporting Steph through the ongoing development of her new musicals via their Dark Room scheme. @stephweller @playwellprodsFollow With Courage: @withcourageshowFollow The Other Palace: @TheOtherPalaceAre you writing a new musical in the UK? Consider submitting your show for the podcast: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/making-a-musical-podcast/