Making a Musical: The Future of British Musical Theatre The Other Palace

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) Music
Trained 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 / bellabarlow
Nikki Racklin (she/her) Book & Lyrics
Her 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. @nikkiracklin
Follow The Other Palace: @TheOtherPalace
Are you writing a new musical in the UK? Consider submitting your show for the podcast: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/making-a-musical-podcast/

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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 & Lyrics
Bethan 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) Music
Nicola 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). @nicolatchang
Follow The Other Palace: @TheOtherPalace
Are you writing a new musical in the UK? Consider submitting your show for the podcast: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/making-a-musical-podcast/

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In Redcliffe, Bristol William is feeling the pressure to find a wife whilst also being the breadwinner to his family. His mothers nagging doesn't help. When he meets Richard, he unlocks a world he had never dared to explore before and it’s clear there is no going back. Based on the true events of William Critchard and Richard Arnold in 1753, Redcliffe is an epic tale of forbidden love during the persecution people faced for hundreds of years.
Featuring songs ‘Pressure Pot’ performed by Jordan Luke Gage and Rebecca Lock and ‘Hurricane’ performed by Rebecca Lock, recorded live at MTFestUK 2024, Turbine Theatre.
Jordan Luke Gage (he/him) Book, Music & Lyrics
Jordan most recently originated the role of Clyde Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde (Arts Theatre/Garrick). Prior to this he originated the role of Romeo in the Olivier Award winning &Juliet at The Shaftesbury Theatre. His other West End credits include Strat in Bat Out Of Hell at The Dominion Theatre and JD in Heathers at Theatre Royal Haymarket. His television credits include Prince James The Royal Kill List (Sky), Adrian Barber in Cilla (ITV), and Luc in Cucumber (Channel 4). Jordan plays guitar and writes music and this is his first musical writing project. @jordanlukegage
Follow Redcliffe: @redcliffemusical
Follow The Other Palace: @TheOtherPalace
Are you writing a new musical in the UK? Consider submitting your show for the podcast: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/making-a-musical-podcast/ 

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Season 5 Making a Musical: The Future of British Musical Theatre Podcast Lineup
Making 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 Nancy
Book 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 Monster
Written 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 Piper
Conceived by Conrad Murray (Writer) & Lara Taylor
A 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?
REDCLIFFE
Written 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 Disappeared
Book & 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 It
Book 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 Came
Books & 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.

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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/Producer
Jack 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). @jackhasthisnow
Rebecca 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. @beccalouisesimmonds
Follow With In Clay: @inclaymusical
Follow The Other Palace: @TheOtherPalace
Are you writing a new musical in the UK? Consider submitting your show for the podcast: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/making-a-musical-podcast/

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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 & Lyrics
A 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: @rachelwalkermason
Eloise 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: @eloisehodderofficial
Follow The Circle: 
Instagram: @thecirclemusical
Twitter: @circle_musical
Tiktok: @thecircle.musical
Follow The Other Palace: @TheOtherPalace
Are you writing a new musical in the UK? Consider submitting your show for the podcast: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/making-a-musical-podcast/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.