“I Sing This Song Of Love For You” featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album ” I Look Up To The Heavens” recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

So what is happening in the world of Mustard Seed Songs?

Well a number of things- the full stage production and film of Risen! The Musical is being itranlsated into a number of languages so that subtitles can be added to the film- so far we have finished translations into Mandarin and Romanian with Vietnamese, Spanish and Farsi on the way.

We are in the process of producing a brand new Gospel CD with the Portsmouth University Gospel Choir who sang with Seal in the final of BBC One’s “Pitch Battle” featuring Gareth Malone. More of that soon I hope.

We have started putting together a sequel to Risen! which has a working title of Acts- as you may guess it is based on the Acts of the Apostles. Todays featured pic/video clip shows Joffy Girling recording vocals from Alex Knox at my house. Alex is singing all the parts for these guide vocals which we trust will later become another full blown musical or at least a musical concert.

At present most of our energy is directed to a tour of Primary schools of our children’s version of Risen! I am speaking with Head teachers encouraging them to book (we need 15 schools) Caroline Wethefelt, who played Mary Mother of Jesus in the Risen! film, is gathering 5 actors from the London Touring Cast – I am looking at Airbnb for a month’s accommodation for them. Also hiring a suitable van – looking at how to build a stage set etc etc. All great fun – oh and also applying for a grant from the Arts Council – here is our basic request to them- the full application is somewhat longer!! –

A pilot tour of a children’s interactive production of Mustard Seed Songs’ (reg. charity no 1077618) widely acclaimed Risen! The Musical, together with workshops on dance, singing and acting. The tour to encompass 15 Primary schools on the south coast between February 26th and March 16th 2018 reaching an estimated 3000 children aged 7- 11 with the vision to extend this to a minimum 6000 in 2019 and 9000 in 2020.

I wrote the script which is based on the Easter story and features a professional cast of 5 from the London Touring Cast who performed in the Risen! The Musical stage production and film. The aim is to foster an appreciation of musical theatre in children and to raise the profile of Risen! The Musical.