Scottish musical theatre composer and singer/songwriter Finn Anderson will take up a year-long residency at two of Manchester’s most prestigious venues as this year’s recipient of The Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer scheme.
Musical Theatre Network and Mercury Musical Developments have confirmed the writer who was a finalist in the Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize 2019 will take up his co-hosted residency at The Lowry and Hope Mill Theatre from next month.
Anderson wrote the music for Islander, the musical which won Musical Theatre Review’s Best Musical Award at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe (conceived and directed by Amy Draper, with a book by Stewart Melton).
Commenting on his appointment, Anderson said: “I feel so privileged to have been selected for this year’s Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer Scheme, and to work with two of Manchester’s most vibrant venues over the next year on a diverse range of projects and opportunities.
“It is such an exciting time for new musicals in the UK and both of these venues show a strong commitment to the art form, so I’m certain I’ll learn a huge amount during my time as Resident Composer and will leave with new skills, networks and understanding of how to progress in my musical theatre career. I am very grateful to The Lowry, Hope Mill Theatre, Mercury Musial Developments and Musical Theatre Network for this fantastic opportunity and for their confidence in my work.”
The co-creator of award-nominated musicals including Streets, and Alba, Anderson’s latest work-in-development, The Bow Maker, a collaboration with Brazilian folk musician Siba, was presented at BEAM 2018. Anderson is currently undertaking a writing residence at the American Music Theatre Project in Chicago.
The Cameron Mackintosh Foundation-backed development scheme pairs musical theatre composers with venues giving the recipient the opportunity to be involved in a range of work which could include underscoring plays, setting text to music or creating their own new work.
Recent venues have included the Royal Shakespeare Company, Dundee Rep, Lyric Hammersmith, Leeds Playhouse, Curve, and New Wolsey Theatre. Anderson is the second of five placements that MTN and MMD will be facilitating over 2018-21.
On behalf of The Lowry, the venue’s senior producer: artist development Claire Symonds said: “We are excited to be working with Finn Anderson through this new partnership. The Lowry is delighted to come together with Hope Mill Theatre to support a Cameron Macintosh Resident Composer and it demonstrates the spirit of collaboration and innovation that we hold dear in Greater Manchester.
“With Hope Mill Theatre’s flair for producing and reimagining musicals and our passion for artist development and new British musical theatre, we look forward to offering Finn an extraordinary opportunity to develop.”
Angela Thomas
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