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MUSIC from the new British show TESS is to be made commercially available for the first time as the creative team go back into the recording studio. Composer Michael Blore and lyricist Michael Davies are to record a new version of the heroine’s solo The Wrong Side of the Door. The song will be performed by industry newcomer Jessie-Mae Thomas, who starred as Tess in recent workshop performances at the RSC’s studio theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. The single will be available for download online, and the sheet music will also go on sale when the recording is released on May 1, 2019 – timed to match the title of the musical’s opening number, The First Day of May.
TESS is a new British adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s epic novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles. It has been featured on Radio 2’s Elaine Paige on Sunday programme and talks are currently under way for a full staging of the show in 2020. Meanwhile, followers and fans can sign up on the website to join #TeamTess and be given free access to hear the entire concept album, featuring lead vocals by Siobhan Dillon, Tam Mutu and Simon Bailey.
For regular news and updates about the show and its development, follow @MusicalTess on social media.
Read again 'How to make a musical' blogs by TESS lyricist Michael Davies on WhatsOnStage: Part 1: From page to concept album - WhatsOnStage Part 2: Putting it out there - WhatsOnStage Part 3: Tiptoeing towards the stage - WhatsOnStage Part 4: Seeing is believing - WhatsOnStage
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BBC radio presenter John Griff has added his voice to new British musical TESS - literally.
Lyricist Davies said: “What some of John’s audience may not know is that, as well as being a supremely talented radio broadcaster, he’s also got a terrific singing voice, and we were delighted when he picked up our challenge of getting involved in the cast recording. His characterisations are superb and he’s the ultimate professional, so we couldn’t be more thrilled that he’ll be featured on the album.” TESS is a sumptuous new adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s classic novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles. Three demo tracks are already available for free online at www.tessthemusical.com and the album recording of the full show is expected to be released in the autumn of 2017.
NEW MUSICAL TESS UNVEILS LEADING LADY The iconic title role in the forthcoming album recording of new British musical TESS is to be played by West End star Siobhan Dillon. The television favourite, who first rose to fame in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hunt for a Maria in The Sound of Music, has been unveiled as the eponymous heroine in the musical adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s iconic novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles.
SUNSET BOULEVARD
Siobhan’s first professional appearance was understudying Sandy in the 2007 revival of Grease (Piccadilly Theatre). She went on to tour the UK in Bill Kenwright’s Can’t Smile Without You and as Sally Bowles in Cabaret before playing the role of Vivienne in the Olivier award-winning Legally Blonde (Savoy), Claire in EX (Soho Theatre) and the leading role of Molly in Ghost The Musical (West End). She recently played opposite Glenn Close in Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard at English National Opera (Coliseum) and before that appeared as Ellen in Miss Saigon (Prince Edward). Workshops include Jules in Bend It Like Beckham and Karen in From Here To Eternity, and her concert appearances include performing with Paul Gambaccini and the BBC Concert Orchestra on BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night. TESS is a new, fully sung-through adaptation of the much-loved novel. Pre-production is already under way on the album, which will be produced by Sunim Koria with orchestrations by Michael Blore. Recording is scheduled for the summer of 2016. BROADWAY LEADING MAN JOINS TESS ALBUM Broadway and West End leading man Tam Mutu has signed up as one of three headline names on an album recording of new musical TESS. Tam, who made his Broadway debut last year in the title role of Dr Zhivago (“utterly perfect” - Washington Times), is to sing the role of the villainous Alec d’Urberville in the new adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s much-loved novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles. Written by Michael Blore and Michael Davies, the show is to be recorded as an original album later this year, with a fully staged production expected to follow.
On screen, Tam has appeared in TV’s Waking the Dead, Holby City, Doctors and Footballers Wives as well as the feature film The Butcher’s Shop. He’s also no stranger to radio, having appeared on the BBC’s Friday Night is Music Night, Masked Heroes and A Celebration of the Western.
'Dreamland' Composer Michael Blore said: “To say it will be an honour to work with Tam is an understatement. He is dream casting and will bring not only his stunning talent but also an incredible wealth of West End and Broadway experience to the role of Alec d’Urberville. When we set out on planning an album of the show, it’s safe to say we never imagined that we could secure the services of so many truly wonderful performers. We really are in Dreamland.” Two years in the writing, TESS is a fully sung-through new British musical. Recording is scheduled for the summer of 2016, with orchestrations by Blore and production by Sunim Koria. West End star Simon Bailey has already been announced to play Angel Clare, and the casting of the title role is due to be unveiled shortly. TESS SCOOPS WEST END STAR FOR ALBUM RECORDING WEST End star and musical theatre heart-throb Simon Bailey has been named as one of three headliners for the album recording of new British musical TESS. Writers Michael Blore and Michael Davies said they were “thrilled” Bailey would be starring in their musical adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s much-loved novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles playing the role of Tess’s great love, Angel Clare. Currently appearing as Bob Gaudio in the West End production of Jersey Boys, Bailey has performed in some of the biggest shows in musical theatre history. He’s played Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s), Enjolras in the 21st anniversary cast of Les Miserables (Queen’s) and Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (New London).
Lyricist Michael Davies said: “We are thrilled and rather awed to have Simon on board. His extraordinary voice and amazing track record in the world of musical theatre will add something wonderful to the role of Angel.”
TESS is a new, fully sung-through adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s much-loved novel. Pre-production work on the album of the show is already under way, with further casting news expected over the coming weeks and recording scheduled for the summer of 2016. The album will be produced by Sunim Koria, with orchestrations by Michael Blore. Casting announcements for the other two leading roles - Alec d’Urberville and Tess herself - are expected in the next few weeks. TESS writers Michael Blore and Michael Davies have announced the casting of another key role for the forthcoming album recording of their new British musical. Tess’s ale-addled father John is to be played by musical theatre veteran James Dinsmore. Recently appearing in Corbyn the Musical at the Waterloo East Theatre in London, James has worked for leading producer Bill Kenwright in productions of An Ideal Husband and Half a Sixpence. Other credits include Annie, Little Shop of Horrors, Darling of the Day, The Sound of Music, Oliver! and Chess.
TESS is a fully sung-through adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s much-loved novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles. Pre-production work on the album of the show is already under way, with further casting news expected over the coming weeks and recording scheduled for the summer of 2016.
The album will be produced by Sunim Koria, with orchestrations by composer Blore. THE first star in the final round of casting for new British musical TESS has been announced. Writers Michael Blore and Michael Davies have been working on casting the five principal roles for the album recording of their adaptation of Tess of the d’Urbervilles. Now they have revealed that the part of Tess’s mother, Joan Durbeyfield, is to be played by West End star JACQUELINE TATE. Tate has performed in shows and concerts around the world, including appearing as Bloody Mary in South Pacific (Barbican and national tour), Christmas Eve in Avenue Q (Wyndham’s, Gielgud and national tour) and Madame Giry in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre). Trained at the Royal Northern College of Music and the London School of Musical Theatre, her international credits include My Fair Lady in Singapore and Evita in Beirut for Nikolai Foster, as well as The Pirates of Penzance and The Merry Widow for the Carl Rosa Opera Company on tours of the UK, USA, Canada and South Africa.
TESS is a new, fully sung-through adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s much-loved novel. Pre-production work on the album of the show is already under way, with further casting news expected over the coming weeks and recording scheduled for the summer of 2016.
The album will be produced by Sunim Koria, with orchestrations by Michael Blore. In further news from TESS creators Michael Blore and Michael Davies, it is announced that another two important roles have been cast for the album recording of the show. Both roles – GROBY and PARSON TRINGHAM – are representative of a society that shuns women in Tess’s heart-breaking position in this new British musical adaptation of Hardy's much-loved novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Hard-nosed farm manager Groby will be played by Olivier award-winning actor NATHAN DOWLING. Having trained at Mountview Academy in London, Nathan went on to perform in national tours of Anything Goes, The King and I, Annie and Tracy Beaker Gets Real. For his work on Jerry Springer: the Opera at the National Theatre he received the Olivier award for ‘Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical’. Local man of the cloth Tringham, who sets in motion the pursuit of the d’Urberville name, will be AARON GIBSON. A graduate of Arts Ed in London, Aaron has enjoyed a career on both stage and screen. From playing the titular role in Oliver! (Leicester Haymarket Theatre), his theatre credits include Goodnight Mrs Calabash (The Gatehouse Theatre, London), Edges the Musical (The Landor Theatre, London), Let’s Sing (Birmingham Symphony Hall), CBeebies’ Numberjacks (U.K. Tour), Jamie and Anna Live! (U.K. Tour), Aladdin (Belgrade Theatre, Coventry) and Mother Goose (Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds). In film he has recently featured in Zombie Apocalypse and Kaleidoscope Man. “I could not be more proud to be a part of this exciting new cast recording’, he says, adding, “What a thrilling experience to be working with this team of talented artists. The story lends itself so lovingly to musical form and promises to capture hearts nationwide. I have high hopes for the show’s success and look forward to sharing it with others who I know will adore it!”  This concludes the second stage of casting for the album of TESS. Renowned casting director Anne Vosser will be holding auditions for the five principal roles on March 31st and April 1st at the Dance Attic in Fulham, London. More details are expected to be released later this week.
Produced by Sunim Koria, work on pre-production of the album will begin in April. Composer Michael Blore said: “It will be a privilege to work with so many artists of such a high quality. I can’t wait! Bringing the score to life will be a dream come true with something of a dream cast.” TESS creators Michael Blore and Michael Davies are delighted to announce the casting of three crucial roles for the forthcoming album recording of the show - the Dairymaids. The trio - MARIAN, IZZY and RETTY - not only provide some comic relief but also give Tess significant support as she battles with her personal tragedies in the new British musical adaptation of Hardy's much-loved novel Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Dipsomaniac dairymaid Marian will be played by SALLY JOLLIFFE, whose lead roles include productions at Birmingham's Hippodrome and New Alex theatres, as well as more intimate concerts and cabarets across the UK. She said: "I'm really excited about recording this beautiful score with a very talented cast and team." NIKKI CROSS takes the role of Izzy, an old hand on the farm where Tess finds work. Nikki trained with leading young people's company Playbox Theatre, and recent credits include Singin’ In The Rain, The Pajama Game and Annie (Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa), Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors, Godspell and Scrooge (The Loft), Humpty Dumpty (Talisman Theatre), The Full Monty, Boogie Nights, The Wedding Singer (Spa Theatre Company) and Hair (The Dream Factory, Warwick). Born in Bristol, she claims she is “very much looking forward to getting the chance to revive my native West Country accent!” The young and naive Retty will be played by PHILIPPA ROSE, currently training at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. A veteran of Rugby Theatre, she previously worked with composer Michael Blore on The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. Other credits include Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon, the promiscuous teenager Ivy in Total Theatre's production of Bare, and Lois in Mountview's production of Kiss Me Kate. After TESS, she says she is “looking forward to graduation and seeing what the professional world holds for me”.  This is the second tranche of casting for the TESS album after the Chorus was announced earlier this month. Renowned casting director Anne Vosser will be holding auditions for five principal roles on March 31st and April 1st at the Dance Attic in Fulham, London. More details are expected to be released later this week.
Produced by Sunim Koria, work on pre-production of the album will begin in April. Lyricist Michael Davies said: “We are thrilled with the latest developments in casting and delighted to welcome on board so many performers of such quality and talent. It really feels that we are at the start of something rather extraordinary." |
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