New project to Inspire Wales' authors and composers

Authors and composers will come together next week to plot the next stages of musical theatre in Wales through an innovative new project entitled 10 Minute Musicals / Open Space, run by director Angharad Lee’s new company Leeway Productions.

Five authors and five composers will combine talents for peer to peer learning, creating, collaborating and co-authoring work and discussions about the musical theatre genre in various locations around Cardiff and the Valleys from July 4-8. The week will culminate with the sharing of work and discussions about the art form at The Other Room, Cardiff on July 8 providing a supportive “safe space” for artists to explore and develop their own practice.

“We have seen a positive shift in our attitudes towards musical theatre in Wales recently.” says Angharad Lee, “But I still feel that we shy away from a genuine grassroots investigation of the genre. The question I will be asking the artists is: ‘How do you make a story sing, and not just the artists?’ The approach to the week will be very task driven, much in the same vain as I would work with actors. Roles may be switched and specific tasks will be set by a group of year 5 students I am working with at the moment who are also developing their lyric writing skills. This will hopefully open up a discussion about who exactly are we writing for and why.”

Lee, whose most recent work includes the successful To Kill a Machine added, “I am keen to open out the discussions to artists who wouldn’t necessarily find themselves writing musicals. I want to challenge form and our approach when it comes to assembling such productions. It is an age old problem that sometimes artists can feel hugely disempowered when it comes to how work is commissioned in theatre in general. Everyone wants to be commissioned but it is vital that there is playtime and safe spaces to explore one’s own practice as part of an artists continued development. It can sometimes seem like moments of dreams rather than reality. To be able to pay artists to learn from each other and to be inspired by each other is an absolute joy.”

Key organisations throughout Wales have also been keen to lend support while numerous programmers and venues have confirmed the clear need for this kind of work. Among those confirmed to be in partnership with 10 Minute Musicals / Open Space are Wales Millennium Centre and Blackwood Miners Institute.

Ross Leadbeater Takes Great British Songbook On Tour

Following his critically acclaimed West End concerts, Ross Leadbeater, the award winning Welsh singer-pianist and musical director, celebrates his musical favourites when he brings The Great British Songbook to Blackwood Miners Institute on May 18.

From Ivor Novello to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lionel Bart to Leslie Bricusse, with The Beatles, Take That, Coldplay and Gilbert & Sullivan - there is something for everyone in this not-to-be-missed opportunity to enjoy the massive hits and forgotten gems.

Ross shot to fame in 2008 with the Classical Brit Award winning group Only Men Aloud, having released two albums with Decca Records, achieving worldwide record sales of over 300,000 and performing alongside artists such as Shirley Bassey, Katherine Jenkins and Josh Groban.

He regularly appears on BBC Radio including BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio London and recently on the BBC Radio 2 music documentary Keep The Home Fires Burning. His television appearances include The Royal Variety Show, Proms in the Park, and The One Show.  Andy Howells recently put questions to Ross about the forthcoming show and his new EP.

You’re going out on tour with your debut EP, what does that feel like?
It’s amazing to be finally releasing my debut EP and taking my favourite British songs all around the country. Of course, it’s particularly great to be kicking it all off here in Wales.

Can you give us some background to the EP what's it called and what was the inspiration behind it?
It’s called Great British Songbook and it’s a very personal collection of some of the great British songs of all time including Pure Imagination, Keep The Home Fires Burning and Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud. It all started with the music of Ivor Novello - I put together a concert in London two years ago and the project has just developed from there.

Of course, people will be familiar with you as a member of Only Men Aloud, so what can we hope to see when we see you live on stage?
Well, unlike the days of Only Men Aloud where we played to huge arenas and concert halls, this is a much more intimate experience - just me and my piano. It’s up close and personal with some special guests too.

You clearly have a love for great songs, who do you enjoy listening to?
I’ve always enjoyed great songs in all styles of music really, from classical to musical theatre, pop/rock to jazz. My mum and dad always enjoyed listening to music and we had a wide and varied record collection in the house so I guess I get it from them.

Are there any particular pieces you are looking forward to performing in the forthcoming shows?
Oh, thats a difficult one…there are so many to chose from but I guess I am looking forward to performing the new version of Novello’s Keep The Home Fires Burning and also an original song which was written for me called Piano For Sale. There is a real variety of songs in the show, and my personal favourites are the ones from the golden age.

What are you looking forward to most about touring?
It’s exciting to be meeting fans of my music all around the country. Since starting the concerts in London two years ago - I have been connecting with fans on social media so it’s finally a chance to get out on the road and meet them.

What other projects are you working on at the moment?
I guess I’m lucky in that I have a dual career as a musical director so I get to work with lots of talented and amazing artists and on a wide variety of projects. Anything from theatre productions to radio shows, television programmes to film. It’s good to be busy I guess- and this year I’m heading up to the Edinburgh Festival in August so that is exciting!

Ross Leadbeater’s Great British Songbook is available for digital download on iTunes from May 18th and will be available in physical form on Amazon and on his UK Tour dates from 4th June. The tour kicks off in Blackwood on 18th May at 7:30.pm. Check out www.rossleadbeater.com for more details.

• A version of this Q&A appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on Friday May 13, 2016.

Rocking On With Rox Vox Star Katie Paine

Hi-Energy show Rox Vox comes to Blackwood Miners Institute tonight. Featuring some of the strongest male and female rock voices performing in the UK today, together with an amazing band, the show will deliver earthy solos, immense harmonies and virtuoso musicianship.

Including classics by Queen, Led Zeppelin, Survivor, Guns & Roses, Status Quo and The Rolling Stones, the show also features exhilarating staging, wicked costumes and a spectacular laser light show.

Andy Howells recently put questions about the show to Rox Vox vocalist Katie Paine.

What was the idea behind the Rox Vox show?
- It's a show that brings some of the best rock songs to the audience, with an incredible live band and exciting vocals.

How many singers and musicians are in the band and how did you all come together?
There are four vocalists and a female band of six members called Joan of Arc. We auditioned for the show and started rehearsals in January to put the show together.

There’s quite a repertoire including music from Queen, Led Zeppelin, Survivor, Guns & Roses, Janis Joplin, Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones, how do you go about choosing your favourites?
It was difficult to choose as there are so many great classics, but the songs we've chosen all fit in the set list well together, so the band can play one song into another.

What can rock fans expect from the forthcoming show?
It’s a lively show with brilliant vocals and a superb band playing live rock music. And I guarantee you'll be singing along and up dancing by then end!

Which tracks are you particularly looking forward to performing?
I love the opening number 'Whole Lotta Love' - it's such a fab track and really sets up the show.

Is it a show suitable for all the family?
Absolutely! It's suitable for anyone who loves music!

Finally what’s your all time favourite rock track and why?
Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler. I've always loved this song and am lucky enough to sing it in this show!

• Tickets for the Blackwood Miners Institute show taking place on Saturday June 20 are available from Box Office on 01495 227206 or by visiting their official website.
• A version of this interview by Andy Howells appeared in the South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on June 19, 2015. Read the e-edition here.