What next for Tess?

In this latest d’Blog, Tess composer Michael Blore talks about the future of the show.

What's been going on during the Covid years?

And why is he now back in a recording studio?

Michael, it’s been a while. What have you been up to since the last production of Tess?
 
Where to start! I’ve moved and been decorating and renovating as well as clearing the garden and –
 
I meant with Tess…
 
Oh, soz. Well, funny you should ask, but I’m in the middle of a new project.
 
Oo, do tell. It is a d’blog, you know.
 
I’ve been working on a new structure, arrangement and backing to ‘In My Hand’ – the main song from the show. Things are taking shape nicely, though there’s a long road ahead.
 
How come?
 
I’m producing it myself.
 
Come again?
 
During the Covid years, and being in times of forced isolation, I started to learn how to produce music.

Wait. No Sunim doing the music production work for you?
 
Correct.
 
But he’s brilliant!
 
I know. But I want to give it a go.

​Good luck.

Producer Sunim Koria recording the TESS album

Thanks, I’m going to need it. There’s so much to learn and get my head around, but if this recording goes well there could be more to come.
 
Like…?
 
New structuring and arrangements of other songs and maybe in time a complete backing to the whole show.
 
Somebody likes a challenge…
 
So they say.

Phil John (as Alec d'Urberville) and Jessie-Mae Thomas (as Tess) in the workshop production at The Other Place

​And what does the other Michael the lyricist have to say about all this?
​
He’s fully supportive and cheering me on. From the feedback we’ve received about the show and continue to receive, we both think it is worth developing Tess and restarting the process of attracting producers to get it back on stage. Since the last production at the RSC's The Other Place in Stratford-upon-Avon we have completed a rewrite of the show, which includes among other things a brand new opening number.

A little bird tells me you were planning a new stage production when Covid struck.
 
That little bird is right. A 4-week tour too.
 
Bloody Covid.
 
Couldn’t agree more.
 
So come on, who’s going to be singing this new version of ‘In My Hand’? Is it Sunim? He did sing some mezzo-soprano backing vocals on ‘I Always Get My Way’.
 
So I heard…! But no, it’s not Sunim.

So who?
 
Wait and see. I’m recording her vocals in December and delighted to be working with her. She’s lovely.
 
Tease. I guess we can follow your progress on Twitter, Instagram and all good social media outlets in the coming months to see how it’s all going?
 
You took the words right out of my mouth.
 
I’m known for it. And good luck again with the production work.
 
Thank you.
 
I do still have Sunim’s number, you know…
 
Michael Blore was in conversation with Tess administrator Scott Collins.
 
Thank you for reading and following the progress of TESS.
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