Something a little different for this episode – a roving report on day two of BEAM 2023, the industry showcase featuring extracts from a host of new musicals. This year BEAM took place at the Oxford Playhouse, and I spoke to a number of participants, organisers and presenters about their experience.  Some of the audio is sometimes affected by wind noise, as it was a beautifully sunny day and I wanted to capture interviews outside on the pavement. A rookie error, but I hope you can still make out the content clearly.  The BEAM interviews are preceded by Darren Clark, who talks to us about his desert island musical.  Home

Something a little different for this episode – a roving report on day two of BEAM 2023, the industry showcase featuring extracts from a host of new musicals. This year BEAM took place at the Oxford Playhouse, and I spoke to a number of participants, organisers and presenters about their experience. Some of the audio is sometimes affected by wind noise, as it was a beautifully sunny day and I wanted to capture interviews outside on the pavement. A rookie error, but I hope you can still make out the content clearly. The BEAM interviews are preceded by Darren Clark, who talks to us about his desert island musical. <blockquote><a href="https://www.beamshowcase.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Home</a></blockquote>

Votm #14 BEAM 2023 Special

19.5.22 Here’s an interview with the fantastic Darren Clark, who at the time of writing is about to open The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at the Southwark Playhouse.  We talk about education in Music Theatre, finding your community, and the importance of establishing a brand. We also discuss Darren’s fabulous initiative for new music theatre writing, New Musicals UK. Links below. Musical examples from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Wicker Husband, and Turing. http://www.darrenclarkmusic.co.uk https://www.newukmusicals.co.uk https://www.bookmusicandlyrics.com

19.5.22 Here’s an interview with the fantastic Darren Clark, who at the time of writing is about to open The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at the Southwark Playhouse. We talk about education in Music Theatre, finding your community, and the importance of establishing a brand. We also discuss Darren’s fabulous initiative for new music theatre writing, New Musicals UK. Links below. Musical examples from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Wicker Husband, and Turing. <a href="http://www.darrenclarkmusic.co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.darrenclarkmusic.co.uk</a> <a href="https://www.newukmusicals.co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.newukmusicals.co.uk</a> <a href="https://www.bookmusicandlyrics.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.bookmusicandlyrics.com</a>

VotM #13 Darren Clark

Nathan Tysen

5.4.20 Hey there – here’s an interview with the wonderful Nathan Tysen, one half of Tysen and Miller, and lyricist of Tuck Everlasting, The Burnt Part Boys and Amélie. Music played on this episode includes tracks from the original recordings of Amélie and Fugitive Songs, and Lady of the Sea from Nigel Richards’s album A Shining Truth. Miller &amp; Tysen website Lovewell Institute Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Program at NYU

5.4.20 Hey there – here’s an interview with the wonderful Nathan Tysen, one half of Tysen and Miller, and lyricist of Tuck Everlasting, The Burnt Part Boys and Amélie. Music played on this episode includes tracks from the original recordings of Amélie and Fugitive Songs, and Lady of the Sea from Nigel Richards’s album A Shining Truth. <a href="https://www.millerandtysen.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Miller &amp; Tysen website</a> <a href="https://lovewell.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lovewell Institute</a> <a href="https://tisch.nyu.edu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Program at NYU</a>

VotM #12 Nathan Tysen

Jeremy Sams

A chat in the time of coronavirus with one of the most knowledgeable and erudite voices in British musical theatre, Jeremy Sams. A director, translator, composer, lyricist, librettist and playwright, Jeremy has worked throughout the entire landscape of straight theatre, musicals and opera. He’s also a dear friend and mentor, and I’m thrilled to be able to share this special conversation with you.

A chat in the time of coronavirus with one of the most knowledgeable and erudite voices in British musical theatre, Jeremy Sams. A director, translator, composer, lyricist, librettist and playwright, Jeremy has worked throughout the entire landscape of straight theatre, musicals and opera. He’s also a dear friend and mentor, and I’m thrilled to be able to share this special conversation with you.

VotM #11 Jeremy Sams

Jeff Blumenkrantz

Hi there! A “new” interview, recorded in February 2013 (!), lost and recently rediscovered, with the lovely and supremely talented Jeff Blumenkrantz. If you don’t know the wonderful Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook Podcast, seek it out immediately. It was great to come back to this interview and remind myself of Jeff’s grace and wisdom. Please leave a like and even a review on iTunes, and let me know your thoughts. Links: jeffblumenkrantz.com @blumietunes newmusicaltheatre.com contemporarymusicaltheatre.com www.bmi.com/theatre_workshop http://www.bookmusicandlyrics.com

Hi there! A “new” interview, recorded in February 2013 (!), lost and recently rediscovered, with the lovely and supremely talented Jeff Blumenkrantz. If you don’t know the wonderful Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook Podcast, seek it out immediately. It was great to come back to this interview and remind myself of Jeff’s grace and wisdom. Please leave a like and even a review on iTunes, and let me know your thoughts. Links: <a href="http://jeffblumenkrantz.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">jeffblumenkrantz.com</a> @blumietunes <a href="http://newmusicaltheatre.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">newmusicaltheatre.com</a> <a href="http://contemporarymusicaltheatre.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">contemporarymusicaltheatre.com</a> <a href="http://www.bmi.com/theatre_workshop" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.bmi.com/theatre_workshop</a> <a href="http://www.bookmusicandlyrics.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.bookmusicandlyrics.com</a>

VotM #10 Jeff Blumenkrantz

Scott Frankel

Voice of the Musical returns after a long delay! It returns however, with a lovely interview with the honey-voiced Scott Frankel, who with his writing partner Michael Korie has been responsible for some of the most rich and sophisticated Broadway scores of recent times. I met Scott on the eve of the European première of Grey Gardens, which runs until February 6th 2016 at Southwark Playhouse. Scott talks about his musical upbringing, his inspirations, and writing twelve-tone music for Pierre Boulez aged seven. I want to thank Scott for giving his time to talk to me – about from being hugely talented, he is eloquent and passionate on the subject of music and musical theatre, and I hope you manage to catch Grey Gardens before it goes – nearly sold out already. Happy 2016 to all our listeners – I wish you a wonderful and productive year.

Voice of the Musical returns after a long delay! It returns however, with a lovely interview with the honey-voiced Scott Frankel, who with his writing partner <a href="http://michaelkorie.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Michael Korie</a> has been responsible for some of the most rich and sophisticated Broadway scores of recent times. I met Scott on the eve of the European première of <a href="http://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show/grey-gardens/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Grey Gardens,</a> which runs until February 6th 2016 at Southwark Playhouse. Scott talks about his musical upbringing, his inspirations, and writing twelve-tone music for <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/07/arts/music/pierre-boulez-french-composer-dies-90.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pierre Boulez</a> aged seven. I want to thank Scott for giving his time to talk to me – about from being hugely talented, he is eloquent and passionate on the subject of music and musical theatre, and I hope you manage to catch Grey Gardens before it goes – nearly sold out already. Happy 2016 to all our listeners – I wish you a wonderful and productive year.

VotM #9 Scott Frankel

Charles Strouse

Born in 1928, Charles Strouse composed some of the classic musicals of 60’s and 70’s, Bye Bye Birdie, Applause and of course, Annie, which at the time of writing is previewing in a James Lapine revival at the Palace Theatre on Broadway. He is also the author of several film scores, including Bonnie and Clyde, and many works for the concert hall. Charles was generous enough to give me an interview in January 2012, and talks with enormous warmth about his amazing experiences, of studying with Aaron Copland and Nadia Boulanger, working with Dick van Dyke, Chita Rivera, Sammy Davis Jnr. and Lauren Bacall, and of the elusive and mystical process of the creative artist. I’m so happy to present this podcast to you – I know you’ll be enlightened and moved by spending some time with this Broadway legend. http://www.charlesstrouse.com

Born in 1928, Charles Strouse composed some of the classic musicals of 60’s and 70’s, Bye Bye Birdie, Applause and of course, Annie, which at the time of writing is previewing in a James Lapine revival at the Palace Theatre on Broadway. He is also the author of several film scores, including Bonnie and Clyde, and many works for the concert hall. Charles was generous enough to give me an interview in January 2012, and talks with enormous warmth about his amazing experiences, of studying with Aaron Copland and Nadia Boulanger, working with Dick van Dyke, Chita Rivera, Sammy Davis Jnr. and Lauren Bacall, and of the elusive and mystical process of the creative artist. I’m so happy to present this podcast to you – I know you’ll be enlightened and moved by spending some time with this Broadway legend. <a href="http://www.charlesstrouse.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.charlesstrouse.com</a>

VotM #8 Charles Strouse

Adam Guettel

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful summer. I can’t tell you how excited I am to present this episode to you. I spoke to Adam Guettel while he was in London performing an evening of his songs, with Musical Director Kimberly Grigsby (Spring Awakening, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark). It’s fair to say that Adam is musical theatre royalty, being the grandson of Richard Rodgers, perhaps the greatest composer of musicals. Stephen Sondheim has been a friend and mentor since Adam’s childhood. Despite the weight of this considerable legacy, Adam emerged in 1996 with Floyd Collins, a musical with book and direction by Tina Landau, and with one of the most brilliant and original scores of the decade. He has since written a song cycle, Saturn Returns, later retitled Myths and Hymns, and most recently The Light in the Piazza, which bagged a slew of Tonys in 2005. Given the above, it’s also extraordinary that he’s one of the loveliest people you could meet. I hope you enjoy. ps – I’d love to know what you think about this and other podcasts in the series. Please leave a comment – it would be great to hear from you! Tim

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful summer. I can’t tell you how excited I am to present this episode to you. I spoke to Adam Guettel while he was in London performing an evening of his songs, with Musical Director Kimberly Grigsby (Spring Awakening, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark). It’s fair to say that Adam is musical theatre royalty, being the grandson of Richard Rodgers, perhaps the greatest composer of musicals. Stephen Sondheim has been a friend and mentor since Adam’s childhood. Despite the weight of this considerable legacy, Adam emerged in 1996 with Floyd Collins, a musical with book and direction by Tina Landau, and with one of the most brilliant and original scores of the decade. He has since written a song cycle, Saturn Returns, later retitled Myths and Hymns, and most recently The Light in the Piazza, which bagged a slew of Tonys in 2005. Given the above, it’s also extraordinary that he’s one of the loveliest people you could meet. I hope you enjoy. ps – I’d love to know what you think about this and other podcasts in the series. Please leave a comment – it would be great to hear from you! Tim

VotM #7 Adam Guettel

The fifth and final part of our video podcast looking at the anatomy of ‘Wait a Bit’, from Stiles and Drewe’s Just So.

The fifth and final part of our video podcast looking at the anatomy of ‘Wait a Bit’, from Stiles and Drewe’s Just So.

Video Podcast – Wait a Bit – Part 5 of 5

The fourth part of our video podcast looking at the anatomy of ‘Wait a Bit’, from Stiles and Drewe’s Just So.

The fourth part of our video podcast looking at the anatomy of ‘Wait a Bit’, from Stiles and Drewe’s Just So.

Video Podcast – Wait a Bit – Part 4 of 5

The third part of our video podcast looking at the anatomy of ‘Wait a Bit’, from Stiles and Drewe’s Just So.

The third part of our video podcast looking at the anatomy of ‘Wait a Bit’, from Stiles and Drewe’s Just So.

Video Podcast – Wait a Bit – Part 3 of 5

The second part of our video podcast looking at the anatomy of ‘Wait a Bit’, from Stiles and Drewe’s Just So.

The second part of our video podcast looking at the anatomy of ‘Wait a Bit’, from Stiles and Drewe’s Just So.

Video Podcast – Wait a Bit – Part 2 of 5

The award-winning songwriting team George Stiles and Anthony Drewe have been writing musicals for over twenty years. Their second musical, Just So, is based on the Rudyard Kipling stories, and features one of my favourite numbers, Wait a Bit. In this, the first VotM video podcast, George and Anthony talk about how the song came into being. I hope you’ll enjoy this very personal examination of the anatomy of a song.  

The award-winning songwriting team George Stiles and Anthony Drewe have been writing musicals for over twenty years. Their second musical, Just So, is based on the Rudyard Kipling stories, and features one of my favourite numbers, Wait a Bit. In this, the first VotM video podcast, George and Anthony talk about how the song came into being. I hope you’ll enjoy this very personal examination of the anatomy of a song.

Video Podcast – Wait a Bit – Part 1 of 5

George Stiles

Anthony Drewe

For our first video podcast, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe kindly agreed to discuss the evolution of the beautiful ballad ‘Wait a Bit’, from Just So The Musical.  Here’s a short teaser – watch this space for the full interview.

For our first video podcast, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe kindly agreed to discuss the evolution of the beautiful ballad ‘Wait a Bit’, from Just So The Musical. Here’s a short teaser – watch this space for the full interview.

George Stiles and Anthony Drewe – video teaser

Tim Minchin

Comedian Tim Minchin won a Perrier Award for Best Newcomer, before touring with a symphony orchestra and fronting the inaugural BBC Comedy Prom. The RSC paired him up with Dennis Kelly to write Matilda the Musical, which recently broke Olivier Award history by scooping seven titles. I went to meet Tim in his studio, and https://buycbdproducts.com following ensued. This interview was recorded on 19th December 2011. Warning: sweary podcast.

Comedian Tim Minchin won a Perrier Award for Best Newcomer, before touring with a symphony orchestra and fronting the inaugural BBC Comedy Prom. The RSC paired him up with Dennis Kelly to write Matilda the Musical, which recently broke Olivier Award history by scooping seven titles. I went to meet Tim in his studio, and <a href="https://buycbdproducts.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://buycbdproducts.com</a> following ensued. This interview was recorded on 19th December 2011. Warning: sweary podcast.

VotM #6 Tim Minchin, Part One

Sandy Wilson

Perhaps the our most venerable British writer, Sandy Wilson began composing for the West End in the late 1940’s. The intimate and delightful pastiche show The Boy Friend became a runaway hit. I speak to Sandy about post-war optimism, Julie Andrews, and whether luck really exists.

Perhaps the our most venerable British writer, Sandy Wilson began composing for the West End in the late 1940’s. The intimate and delightful pastiche show The Boy Friend became a runaway hit. I speak to Sandy about post-war optimism, Julie Andrews, and whether luck really exists.

VotM #5 Sandy Wilson

Coming soon – our interview with Tim Minchin, composer of hit musical ‘Matilda’. (Warning: it’s a little bit sweary)

Coming soon – our interview with Tim Minchin, composer of hit musical ‘Matilda’. (Warning: it’s a little bit sweary)

Tim Minchin – video trailer

One half of acclaimed British songwriting team Stiles and Drewe, George has been composing musicals since he and Anthony met in 1983. This interview is a real treat, not least because we meet George at the piano, from where he gives us many wonderful musical illustrations, charting the evolution of style from Tutankhamun to Betty Blue Eyes. This is an immediate and intimate glimpse into a composer’s process, and I really hope you enjoy it. George and Anthony’s website is a treasure trove of information, containing biography, show information, writing tips, and streaming audio and video. You can learn more also learn more about their recent West End show Betty Blue Eyes here. I had so many more questions to ask George that he’s kindly agree to make Part Two in the near future. Watch this space, and please visit and rate the podcast on iTunes and help us get the word out. Tim

One half of acclaimed British songwriting team Stiles and Drewe, George has been composing musicals since he and Anthony met in 1983. This interview is a real treat, not least because we meet George at the piano, from where he gives us many wonderful musical illustrations, charting the evolution of style from Tutankhamun to Betty Blue Eyes. This is an immediate and intimate glimpse into a composer’s process, and I really hope you enjoy it. George and Anthony’s <a href="http://www.stilesanddrewe.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> is a treasure trove of information, containing biography, show information, writing tips, and streaming audio and video. You can learn more also learn more about their recent West End show Betty Blue Eyes <a href="http://www.bettyblueeyesthemusical.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. I had so many more questions to ask George that he’s kindly agree to make Part Two in the near future. Watch this space, and please visit and rate the podcast on <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/voice-of-the-musical/id474073600" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a> and help us get the word out. <a href="http://www.timsutton.net" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tim</a>

VotM #4 George Stiles

Charles Hart

In this interview, we talk to Charles Hart, the lyricist of the most successful entertainment of all time, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. I spoke to Charles shortly after the Royal Albert Hall extravaganza celebrating Phantom’s twenty-fifth anniversary. Click this link to see George Orwell’s rules for effective writing, cited in the interview. It was my first interview, and gets a little quiet in places due to mike position. Please listen through – what Charles has to say is fascinating. Tim

In this interview, we talk to Charles Hart, the lyricist of the most successful entertainment of all time, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s <a href="http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Phantom of the Opera</a>. I spoke to Charles shortly after the Royal Albert Hall extravaganza celebrating Phantom’s twenty-fifth anniversary. Click <a href="http://www.writingclasses.com/InformationPages/index.php/PageID/300" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this link</a> to see George Orwell’s rules for effective writing, cited in the interview. It was my first interview, and gets a little quiet in places due to mike position. Please listen through – what Charles has to say is fascinating. <a href="http://www.timsutton.net" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tim</a>

VotM #3 Charles Hart, Part One

Brad Carroll

Peter Sham

Lend Me a Tenor is a terrific new musical that started life in Utah, and ended up on the stage of the Gielgud Theatre this summer. We trace its journey, and that of its creative team, Peter Sham and Brad Carroll, and along the way we learn about what makes a good collaboration, the transition from farce to musical comedy, and why it’s usually better to adapt dead authors. Please sign up for the podcast on iTunes, and if you enjoy it, let us know by leaving a rating. Many thanks.

<a href="http://tenorthemusical.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lend Me a Tenor</a> is a terrific new musical that started life in Utah, and ended up on the stage of the Gielgud Theatre this summer. We trace its journey, and that of its creative team, Peter Sham and Brad Carroll, and along the way we learn about what makes a good collaboration, the transition from farce to musical comedy, and why it’s usually better to adapt dead authors. Please sign up for the podcast on <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/voice-of-the-musical/id474073600" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iTunes</a>, and if you enjoy it, let us know by leaving a rating. Many thanks.

VotM #2 Peter Sham and Brad Carroll

Perhaps I&#39;ve been foolish to wait for a &#34;Part Two&#34; to Tim Minchin&#39;s interview: it doesn&#39;t look like any of the guests get a &#34;Part Two.&#34;  

Or perhaps no one ever mentioned to Mr. Sutton that the phrase, &#34;Part One&#34; insinuates that there will be a &#34;Part Two.&#34;

Either way, I&#39;m disappointed.

Will there ever be a part two? To anything?

Voice of the Musical

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