Over 60 songwriters from across the world have answered the call to submit an original song to be part of an inspirational digital song cycle.
Presented by MP Theatricals in collaboration with The Other Palace, on hope: a digital song cycle will be streamed live on The Other Palace’s YouTube channel broadcasting on 29 April and 6 and 13 May at 7.30pm.
Created to offer a creative outlet for musical theatre practitioners during these difficult times, the project is the brainchild of producer and director Matt Powell and writer and dramaturg and former executive director of Mercury Musical Developments, Victoria Saxton.
Commenting on the way the current lockdown has forced the industry to find new ways to work, Powell and Saxton said: “The constraints have actually opened up a new exciting avenue and we are honoured by the volume of responses from creatives and technical masterminds who are donating their time and working relentlessly to bring some hope in these uncertain times.”
Kiki Stevenson, The Other Palace’s artistic programme coordinator, said: “The Other Palace is honoured to collaborate on a brand new piece of digital musical theatre with an exciting line-up of international writers and creatives, producing new material reflective of our current situations.”
Although the trilogy will be free to view, MP Theatricals has launched a fundraising scheme to support the creative talent involved in the project. Donations can be made HERE.
The project’s curators said: “Life is hard for all at the moment and where we can, we want to give back to the artists providing their time and talent to make something beautiful. All funds raised will go towards supporting production costs and provide all artists with a donation for their contribution.”
The full list of songwriters involved in the project are: Aimes and Clements, AJ O’Neill, Åke Andersson, Alanya Bridge, Alex Syiek, Amir Shoenfield, Amy Clare Tasker, Anne-Marie Piaza, Becca Blackmore, Bella Barlow & A.C Smith, Bella Barlow and Nikki Racklin, Benjamin Shuerer, Chris Ash and Victoria Saxton, Chris Hutchings, Cynthia Wong, Davyd Strahan-Hughes, Drew Dillon, Eleanor Griffiths, Eléonore Duizabo, Emily Rose Simons, Grace Joy Howarth, Gus Gowland, Hilmi Jaidin, Izzy Owen, Jamie Lozano and Neena Beber, janine browne (jb), Jean-Paul Mark Shlom, Joe Howlett, Joe McNeice and Matt Spalding, Jon Hare, Jonathan O’Neill and Issac Savage, Jordan Li-Smith, Jude Taylor, Kath Haling, Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm and Earl Marrows, Keurim Hur and Tidtaya Sinutoke, Kevin Velez, KS Lewkowicz, Laura Barati and TJ Rubin, Leanne Sedi, Lewis Cornay, Lillia Woodbury, Luke Disomma, Maisy Beth Crunden, Meg McGrady and Laura McGrady, Michael Patrick Walker, Neil Bastian, Omar Baroud, Phoebe & Isabella Mansell, Rachel Bellman and Josh Bird, Raphael Smith, Rebecca Hart, Rob Rokicki, Sam Young, Samantha Rosenblatt and Lucy O’Brien, Sara Eeke and Giles Fernando, Sarah Middleton and Josh Sneesby, Sharon Kenny, Stew Simpson, Susannah Pearse, Tony Greenlaw, Vic Landa, William Karras + Janey Feingold, Vikki Stone, Zoe Morris and Matthew Mori, Zoe Morris & Rachel Hammond
Announcing the initiative last month, Powell and Saxton said: “Out of the darkness we currently find ourselves in, we’re inviting songwriters to join us in writing songs around the theme of hope to be digitally performed in April.
“Our hope is that this digital song cycle will provide a sense of community, joy and collaboration for artists. With so many theatres and shows shutting a lot of freelancers now face unemployment and uncertain futures. So, we’re asking songwriters to do what they do best, write.”
Powell directs the song cycle which features a dramaturgy by Saxton and technical production is by Bartek Podkowa, Heather Pasfield and Russell Bender.
Angela Thomas
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