Sell-Out Workshop Production Wins Standing Ovation

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 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.

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