Viva New Writing!

For a London girl who doesn’t live in London, life can be frustrating. I grew up in London, but moved away almost ten years ago yet, like most first loves, I’ve never really gotten over Her…

This is why I’ve been trying to come home to the Big Smoke. I had a place lined up and arrangements were being made – then today I found out that it’s all fallen through. Fiddlesticks. I walked out on London and I guess She still hasn’t forgiven me…but when it’s true love, you don’t take no for an answer! I’ve already found another two properties who are interested, so fingers crossed it will all go well and I’ll win Her over through the summer holidays.

My love of London aside, it really is difficult living at the other end of the M20 when everything you write about revolves around (mostly) West End theatre: I much prefer interviewing face-to-face, but often have to conduct them as phoners or through email; I have to work out reviewing gigs around when I’m in town and have had to turn down invites to various theatre-related events more than I like because travelling makes attending unfeasible. Take tonight for instance: I was invited along to Soho Theatre tonight as a guest of cabaret act, Late Night Gimp Fight - they just started a two-week run there and tonight is their Press Night – but had to turn them down as I can’t make to up to London and back tonight. Hardly ideal. So I truly cannot wait to get back to London, for reasons of both business and pleasure which, as luck would have it, often mix! J

Of course, there are some events in London which are quite simply un-missable; last Friday’s was one of them. I would hope that most theatre-fans know as to what I’m referring, but if you’ve just emerged from that rock you’ve been living under, then you may be unaware that last Friday 24^th June was the night Scott Alan and Friends came to town.

If you haven’t heard of Scott Alan, the truly brilliant American composer/lyricist, then you’re reading the wrong blog my friends. My readers (hopefully) know by now that I am a big advocate for the support of new writing and it is because of people like Scott Alan that I am so. I really hope you own, or have heard, at least one of his albums because Scott is an extremely talented song-writer.

You may have read my previous blog on creativity. If you have, you may also recall what I wrote about creativity and expression. If you haven’t read it, or just found what I write to be unmemorable [ ;) ], then let me enlighten you as to what it said:

“Creativity is a gift we are given, the key to escaping the prison of our minds. It allows us to express those thoughts and feelings which we cannot always voice: an artist uses a brush; a writer uses the pen; a musician uses an instrument; a dancer uses their body…

Whatever the tool, it works as a release. We put a piece of ourselves into every creation and in doing so, free ourselves.”

Scott Alan is one of those creative people who would understand just what I was trying to say here. He pours himself into his music - every note he plays, and every lyric he sings, comes straight from the heart. Scott completely bares his soul, sharing intimate thoughts and feelings that offer his listeners a glimpse into moments of his life; sometimes beautiful and sometimes heart-breaking, but always honest. It’s this honesty which allows you to connect with his songs so deeply. Scott has said himself that music is like therapy for him and, although it sounds rather trite, you really do go on a journey with every song.

The Scott Alan concert was a rather last-minute affair, taking advantage of his last night in London before returning to New York. It was held at the Jermyn Street Theatre which is…cosy, to say the least! It was the perfect venue for Scott’s ‘Living Room concert’ however. The night was put together by Simon Greiff of SimG Productions; a very close friend of Scott who, as he said himself, has been instrumental in getting him known here in the UK. It was a wonderful night full of laughter, friends some special moments…and talking. Lots of talking. Lots and lots of talking. To anyone who knows him, this will come as no surprise; Scott Alan is an incredibly warm and funny man and possesses that extraordinary quality (I refuse to call it an X-factor!) which makes you like him instantaneously.

It wasn’t called Scott Alan and Friends for nothing, by the way. Some of Scott’s dearest friends joined him to sing a selection of his songs: Annalene Beechey, Mark Evans, Ashleigh Gray, Stuart Matthew Price, Cassie McIvor and Bradley Whitedale. I’m not writing this to review, so I’ll just say that it was a wonderful night, with stunning songs and gorgeous voices and that I’m very glad I was there to be a part of it – which I very nearly wasn’t actually. I was too slow on the uptake when tickets went on sale it managed to sell out in a number of hours, before I’d had a chance to get mine. Luckily for me, a friend of mine helped me out at last minute (thanks again for that lovely! x). It was lovely to finally meet Scott after admiring his work for so long and when he next returns to our shores, I’ll look forward to seeing him again.

I must say, this seems to have been the week for new writing. Along with Scott Alan’s appearance, London also held host to another new writing event this week: The 2011 Tim Williams Awards. This is the fourth year the Awards - created in memory of the late Musical Director, Tim Williams - have taken place, being held this year at The Cochrane Theatre. It celebrates the art of composing British theatrical song - specifically those using lyrics from established sources that were not originally intended to be sung. The Sunday event saw twenty two British composers submitting original work, and was won by our very own Stuart Matthew Price! His song, Stories of Heroes, features on the SimG Records’ produced album, Beyond The Gate and, in case you were wondering, this is the only place you can hear it so; if you wanted to own it, why not click on this handy link to the SimG Productions website  and get yourself a copy?! ;)

I really am very pleased for Stuart – he is a talented writer in possession of a delectable voice and I look forward to hearing more from him in the future. Events like the TWA are so important to new writers such as Stuart. There are not always a lot of opportunities or support out there for them, so having the chance for a wide audience to hear their work is a fantastic thing. There needs to be more platforms like this for new writing to be heard so that these originally creative people are not passed-by.

Next week, the theme of new writing continues for me. Next Wednesday, I’ve been invited along to an Investors Showcase of a new musical that is currently in development by the show’s director, who is a friend of mine. It is an ‘interesting’ premise and, from what I’ve heard of some of the songs on the demo recording, it’s going to be a very entertaining 70 minutes. I shall of course, fill you all in more next week, but this is one I am rather excited about: I was very pleased to be asked along and I’m very keen to see how it’s all coming together. Viva new writing!

Remember…create, love, inspire!

Miss Julie