Some of the London Touring Cast – “Having a bit of fun with Ken after the Coventry Pentecost Festival”
A Worship Song featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album “Where would I Be Without You?”
Two weeks ago I was telling you how we managed to obtain a professional cast for the production of Risen!- The Musical at the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, November 6th and7th.
So London College of Music (LCM) Lecturer, Niamh Mcguckin said yes to my request for her to direct a full stage production of Risen! rather than a concert for the forthcoming Coventry Pentecost Festival. Incidentally this was being organised by Hope of Coventry, with one my close friends Darren Bovis Coulter being an organiser – let me pause here to offer my congratulations to Darren for being appointed Pastor to the Limbrick Wood Baptist Church in Coventry.
Anyway Niamh then recruited a cast of 12 performers, either post graduates from LCM or students in their fourth and final year. So I drove up to Ealing to meet them at a rehearsal in one of the LCM studios – I was greeted by Niamh and on the way to the studio could hear the cast singing “Jesus is My Lord” and it sounded awesome. I was then introduced to Leah, Claire, Jodie, Mikey, Johnny, Andrew, Kieran, Jacob, Benny, Ennio and Adam. Leah sang for me the opening to “Jesus is my Lord” then Claire “My Beloved King” and Jodie “I have seen Him” – I knew straight away that these guys were going to be something special!
They all rehearsed so hard and in just a few weeks were ready to perform at the Coventry Pentecost Festival. We are promoting Risen!- The Musical to be the stage premiere at the New Theatre Royal and it is exactly that, however that is not to undermine the importance of the Coventry Pentecost production. There were no wings as the show took place in a large marquee and so all the cast were on stage throughout. They were fantastic and received a hugely deserved standing ovation. Both the cast and I learnt so much and the Coventry production was an essential part of the Risen! journey.
Following the show I spoke with Darren who offered some positive criticism and from that a new song was added to the second half, and some scenes and songs re scheduled. Later Niamh suggested we make Risen!- The Musical a three Act rather than a two Act show and of course that makes really good sense with Act One -Crucifixion, Act Two – Resurrection and Act Three – Ascension.
So all in all I am confident that we now have the definitive version of Risen!- The Musical to offer to you on November 6th and 7th – especially as we will also have the Portsmouth University Gospel Choir as part of the Show- but more of that next week.