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well, we'll have to wait and see, but there's no point writing something if it isn't going to get produced, is there?
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The rollercoaster adventure rolls on

8/4/2016

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Michael Davies
Welcome back and thank you for clicking over to d'Blog (d'Urberville, d'Blog - in case you're wondering).

Coming up, lyricist (and award-winning playwright, don't cha know) Michael Davies shares his thoughts, and a lot more besides, on the recent auditions for TESS - The Album. It's been quite a time!

​So take it away, Mr Words.
​"Well, we’ve had some pretty extraordinary moments in the TESS journey so far, but this week has surely got to be the most exciting to date.
 
Now, keep up at the back, please. It’s hard enough for us to ride the rollercoaster without you dilly-dallying about over last week’s news. Aren’t you signed up for the regular updates on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram etc? If not, why not?

 
But I digress…
 
With only the slightest hint of irony about the date, April 1 saw the two Michaels ensconced at the ever-so-helpful Dance Attic in Fulham for the second day of auditions. We were casting the five principal roles in the show for the forthcoming album recording (what do you mean, what album?). And while we were excited enough about that prospect, we couldn’t have prepared ourselves for what we actually got.
For a start, let us give appropriately grateful nods to our esteemed casting director, Anne Vosser. Next, the tenacious and ever-willing assistants she supplied – Katharine Moraz and Tam Kirk. And finally, our two audition pianists, Dean Austin and Barney Ashworth, both West End ‘stars’ in their own right and unbelievably helpful in the process of auditioning singers.
 

Across two exhausting days, we met probably 50 or 60 immensely talented, totally professional and clearly very dedicated performers. There was not one dud in the entire crop and, it’s fair to say, it has left us with the most wonderful of headaches.
Dean Austin
Day 1 with the brilliant Dean Austin 
Barney Ashworth
Day 2 with the (yes) brilliant Barney Ashworth at the Samick 
In case any of them are reading this, and the message hasn’t got back to you via your agent yet, we would both like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who took the time and trouble to come and meet us, and deliver such wonderful audition performances in all five of the roles. We’re under no illusions that we are but little fish in this sizeable musical theatre pond, so to have so much talent, commitment and sheer hard work given over to preparing so fruitfully in such a short space of time was, I don’t mind admitting, rather humbling.
If only we could have twenty-five Tesses.
​
​Now, of course, we have to address that wonderful headache: who to cast? As I write, conversations are taking place. I can’t at this stage divulge their nature, or the people involved, but suffice it to say that the excitement generated by the audition days has continued throughout this week and throughout the conversations. When we are in a position to make announcements, we will, and you will understand, I hope, why we have allowed ourselves the indulgence of becoming quite so excitable.
Audition panel
The 2 Michaels - with some tough decisions 
And so the TESS rollercoaster rides on. I just hope my heart can stand it."
Thank you for your continued support of the show. We are very grateful and appreciate all your comments, likes and shares. They spur us on.

Next time on d'Blog
... In the studio with West End and Broadway leading man Tam Mutu.
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    Tess logo

        PREVIOUSLY...

    JESSIE-MAE THOMAS
    FROM STUDIO TO STAGE

    HOW WAS IT FOR YOU?
    ​MASTER AT WORK
    MIXING TIME
    INTERVIEW WITH A COMPOSER
    ANOTHER MICHAEL'S STORY
    THE LAST 5 MONTHS
    LONDON STUDIO DAYS
    A DAIRYMAID'S DIARY
    IN THE STUDIO WITH TAM MUTU
    THE ADVENTURE ROLLS ON
    IT'S PRE-PRODUCTION TIME!
    WHERE ARE ALL THE D'BLOGS?
    A HERSTORY (THE FINAL PHASE)
    TECHNICAL TALES
    A HERSTORY (PHASE THE 4TH)
    THE LYRICIST SPEAKS
    RECORDING TESS - THE SINGER
    A HERSTORY (PHASE THE 3RD)
    A HERSTORY (PHASE THE 2ND)
    A HERSTORY (PHASE THE 1ST)
    REVIEWS & REVELATIONS
    LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT
    WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT ALEC
    ONE HELLO IS HOW IT STARTS

    Categories

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    Anne Vosser
    Antony Lawrence
    Audition
    Barney Ashworth
    BBC Radio
    Conor Manning
    CTP
    Dean Austin
    Herstory
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    Jacqueline Tate
    James Dinsmore
    Jessie-Mae Thomas
    Joanna Strand
    John McLarnon
    Michael Barker
    Michael Blore
    Michael Davies
    Nikki Cross
    Sally Jolliffe
    Simon Bailey
    Siobhan Dillon
    Sunim Koria
    Tam Mutu
    WAWOW

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