One budding British musical theatre composer will see their music performed on the West End stage thanks to a new competition organised by contemporary musical theatre showcase Notes From New York and entertainment newspaper The Stage.
The competition, entitled Notes for The Stage, invites composers to submit one song, with a seasonal theme, to a panel of four judges – actress Anna-Jane Casey, musical director David Randall, composer Grant Olding and theatre critic Mark Shenton. Shortlisted entries will be sung for the judges by Notes From New York founders Julie Atherton (currently in Avenue Q) and Paul Spicer, and the winning song will be performed during the one-off show Christmas In New York at the Lyric on Sunday 9 December.
According to the organisers, Notes for The Stage has been launched “to counter the demonstrable lack of prominent contemporary British musical theatre composers” and to nurture new British musical theatre writing talent. As well as seeing his or her song performed in the West End, the successful composer will receive a commission to write a song for a future show and a year’s mentorship including the chance to workshop scores in progress.
Christmas In New York is a one-off gala show featuring seasonal songs by British and American composers, as well as Christmas carols, performed by a company of young British musical theatre stars including Casey, Oliver Tompsett (Wicked), Emma Williams (Desperately Seeking Susan) and Melanie la Barrie (Les Misérables). First produced last year, the show returns for its second annual outing this year.
To read the competition entry terms and conditions and to enter, visit www.notesforthestage.co.uk. The deadline for entries is 9 November.
CB