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Sell-Out Workshop Production Wins Standing Ovation

18/3/2019

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The first audiences to enjoy a live presentation of new British musical TESS greeted the sell-out workshop at the RSC’s studio theatre with a standing ovation.
THE OTHER PLACE

​Two performances were staged at The Other Place in Stratford-upon-Avon in February 2019 as part of the musical’s ongoing development. Produced by Night Project Theatre, the workshop featured an ensemble of 12 cast members and a three-piece band performing new orchestrations of the score by composer Michael Blore.
Phil John, Jessie-Mae Thomas, Night Project Theatre, David Fawbert Photography, Tess The Musical
Phil John as Alec with Jessie-Mae Thomas as Tess
The show, directed by Ian Page, won rapturous reviews from audiences, with comments such as ‘spectacular’, ‘amazing’ and ‘a smash hit in the making’. The reviews were just as good, with Stagey Lady complimenting “a score of both substance and style, and an evocative libretto”, while the Stratford Herald welcomed “an incredible range of songs and emotions” and “moments to treasure”, adding: “The Other Place was certainly buzzing with the excitement of being there at the start of something.”
Composed by Michael Blore, with book and lyrics by award-winning playwright Michael Davies, TESS is a fully sung-through adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s much-loved epic Tess of the d’Urbervilles and can be heard in a concept album recording starring Siobhan Dillon, Tam Mutu and Simon Bailey, available to listen to free by signing up to join #TeamTess on the website www.tessthemusical.com/album.
Michael Blore, Jessie-Mae Thomas, Michael Davies, Tess The Musical
Creators Blore (l) and Davies (r) with the first stage Tess, Jessie-Mae Thomas
REGIONAL TOUR

​Meanwhile, Davies is blogging about the pair’s journey towards a professional production at the leading theatre website 
Whatsonstage.com under the title ‘How to Make a Musical’. Songs from TESS have already been featured on the Elaine Paige on Sunday show on Radio 2 and in a West End showcase, and talks are currently under way for a possible regional tour in 2020.
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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TESS TO FEATURE IN NEW LONDON SHOWCASE

5/10/2018

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New British musical TESS will feature in a special showcase evening at London’s renowned Pleasance Theatre.
 
Staged by Edward Baxter Productions, the Composure event puts the spotlight on new musicals composed by “provocative, emerging writers.”
PLEASANCE THEATRE

The showcase, in association with the Pleasance Futures, will take place in the Main House of the Pleasance Theatre at 7:30pm on Monday, October 15.
Pleasance Theatre
INNOVATIVE MUSICAL WRITING

​The producers promise an “enthralling” evening, with the opportunity to “experience the forefront of bold, innovative musical writing before anyone else”, adding: “This night is to showcase the Sondheims, Jason Robert Browns and Pasek and Pauls of tomorrow!” ​
Composure
COMPOSURE

​For TESS, it is not the first time to be involved in a Composure event, having been part of the first such showcase at the Arts Theatre in the heart of London’s West End earlier this year. 
“It’s great to have Tess back on board,” says producer Edward Baxter. “We believe such a brilliant show deserves a bigger audience.”
NIGHT PROJECT THEATRE

​Meanwhile, rehearsals are well under way for a first ever workshop performance of TESS at The Other Place in Stratford-upon-Avon early next year, with tickets going on sale very soon. For more information go to nightprojecttheatre.co.uk
SAMANTHA DORSEY

​Other shows featured at the Composure night include 
Possessed by Teresa Howard and Steven Edis, plus Obella and Tomorrow, Maybe by Stephanie Jayne Amies and Teddy Clements.
 
The role of Tess will be performed by Samantha Dorsey (right), former lead in ‘Anything Goes’ and Cosette in the West End production of  ‘Les Misérables’.
Samantha Dorsey
For more information about the showcase follow @theEdwardBaxter, where you can also find @MusicalTess, or visit www.pleasance.co.uk/event/composure  

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

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    Tess The Musical logo

    ​MORE NEWS

    BACK IN THE STUDIO​​
    ​HITTING THE AIRWAVES

    ​​BACK IN THE STUDIO
    ​SELL-OUT WORKSHOP SHOWS
    NEW LONDON SHOWCASE

    BANBURY LITERARY FESTIVAL
    ​​
    TESS WEST END SHOWCASE 
    DUET GETS LONDON OUTING
    ​ELAINE PAIGE ON SUNDAY

    1ST WHAT'S ON STAGE ARTICLE
    FIRST SONG PERFORMANCE
    BBC HOST SINGS ON ALBUM
    LEADING LADY UNVEILED

    BROADWAY STAR JOINS ALBUM
    TESS SCOOPS WEST END STAR
    LATEST STAR ANNOUNCED
    WEST END STAR SIGNS UP 
    CASTING NOTICE
    CASTING GROBY & TRINGHAM
    CASTING THE DAIRYMAIDS
    FIRST CASTING FOR ALBUM
    TIM RICE BACKS TESS
    TESS ALBUM ANNOUNCEMENT
    IN CONVERSATION WITH CTP
    TESS ON THE BBC


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