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From Oz to Duloc, via Skid Row!

Richard Atkinson Leave a comment

I’m very much looking forward to working on three very different shows, in three very different environments this year:

First up is a trip to the emerald City!

As I’m always banging on about the importance of Music and the Arts in schools, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help out my Son’s school, Wigston Academy, by MDing their forthcoming production of THE WIZARD OF OZ.

Since he started at the school I’ve been in awe of the time and dedication the staff put into giving the students the wonderful opportunity of being part of Musicals with fantastic production values. When two of the school’s music department left last year, I offered to help out if they were in need, and here we are!

It’s also over 20 years since I was last involved with two productions of this show (At The New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme and at Theatre By The Lake in Keswick), so it’s proving to be quite a nostalgia trip too!

If you’re in the Leicester or Wigston area, do come along and support – you’re in for a treat!

Get Tickets Here

Next up, is the community production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Buxton Opera House, directed by Paul Kerryson:

Following on from last year’s production of SWEENEY TODD, and SLEEPING BEAUTY last Christmas, I’m thrilled to be back in Buxton again.

This is another nostalgia trip for me, as it was the first musical I was ever Musical Director for – with a production by the Drama Society at Liverpool University!

The show will be performed during the last week of May

Get Tickets Here

Last, but not least, I’m privileged to be Musical Director and co-Supervisor for the UK and Ireland tour of SHREK:

Rehearsals begin in June, and we hit the road from July until April 2024

Keep an eye out for the BIG NIGHT OF MUSICALS on the BBC at the end of March for a sneak preview of the tour cast.

Full details of the tour dates, and tickets can be found HERE

Attend the tale…..

Richard Atkinson 1 Comment

I’m delighted to say that I will be Musical Director for the forthcoming production of SWEENEY TODD at the Buxton Opera House.

It’s some years since my last brush with the Demon Barber (At the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme), and it will be a challenge and an honour to revisit the masterful work of Stephen Sondheim – this time with Paul Kerryson directing.

Rehearsals are already underway – and the show will play for 5 performances from Friday 29th April to Sunday 1st May.

Full details and tickets are available here: https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/sweeney-todd

GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST – 6. Tom’s Midnight Garden

Richard Atkinson Leave a comment

Next up in my series of GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST is TOM’S MIDNIGHT GARDEN at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick – Christmas 2010.

Click here to read all about it: https://richardatkinson.org/ghosts-of-christmas-past-6-toms-midnight-garden/

Photo: Keith Pattison

You can see all the GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST on the dedicated page here: https://richardatkinson.org/ghosts-of-christmas-past/

Please also feel free to add your own memories of the show – either in the comments section at the bottom of the page, or on the Twitter & Facebook posts. 

For anyone who feels they are struggling – there are some great resources listed on the “Freelancers make theatre work” wellbeing page: https://freelancersmaketheatrework.com/wellbeing/

Louise Page

Richard Atkinson Leave a comment

I’m very saddened to hear of the death of playwright, Louise Page.

I was lucky enough to work with her as composer on her adaptation of ROGUE HERRIES – staged by Theatre by the Lake in 2013.

 Theatre by the Lake production of
ROGUE HERRIES
by Hugh Walpole
adapted by Louise Page
directed by Ian Forrest and Stefan Escreet

(Photo by Keith Pattison)

I also spent some time working with Louise on ideas for two pieces for children – based on the works of Beatrix Potter, and the Uncle Remus stories.

Louise had a fierce intellect, and a real eye for detail.

Sending much love to Louise’s family, friends and colleagues.

 

Mutual help for Youtube users

Richard Atkinson Leave a comment

This is an idea that’s been floating around, to get Youtube users to help each other reach the required thresholds to monetise videos.

By subscribing to each others channels, and watching content, we can help each other to get to the point where we can start generating some income from our channels.

Please visit my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJBlSX91tiSq7wMfqdSLP3g – press the red “Subscribe Button”, and I will in turn subscribe to your channel.