C - A Musical: not a traditional musical

In this week's post, composer Gareth Farr talks to drama on the waterfront about the music in C and working with Jackie Clarke.

This is the fifth musical that Paul and I have written – and strangely enough it’s the one that is least like a traditional musical. It falls into a nameless genre of “play with songs and poems” – and without a doubt it’s my favourite stage project to date. Paul made it clear to me that this would be a very different type of work at the beginning of our creative process – and that I would be able to write music that is more akin to the music I write for classical ensembles, such as orchestra, string quartet – and most importantly operatic voice and solo piano.

The music is in the form of two simultaneous song cycles – the moody and dark journey to an imagined and metaphorical Venice, in which I am the most experimental with my musical language; and the ‘voice inside my head’ songs – where I am a little closer to the fun bouncy music Paul and I have reveled in in the past.

Working with a superstar like Jackie Clarke has been an utter privilege and joy – she is one of those incredible artists who can just do ANYTHING – and I have been so bowled over by her interpretation of my music, and her utter dedication to the project. Sue Alexander is the other musical genius on the project – her magic fingers are unstoppable, and I have written music that is about as difficult to play as a Rachmaninov Concerto.

– Gareth Farr

C – A Musical is well-paced, highly entertaining, deeply moving, honest, witty, informative, imaginative and, above all, very, very human. - Theatreview

"Every component of the show – the writing, the music, the professionalism of the performers – is well-honed and pitched just right in order to draw us in to the storyteller's world." - Theatreview

"As the narrator Me (Jenden) Danny Mulheron is excellent, totally engaging, warm and full of humanity towards his subject matter." - The Dominion Post

"Jackie Clarke is The Voice Inside My Head, who expresses all his feeling, both light and dark, through song. Not only is Clarke a great singer but she is also a consummate performer who is able to express both the joy and the pain of the experiences through the lyrics and music." - The Dominon Post

"At times it is very funny and uplifting. At times very sombre and sad. You ride a bit of an emotional roller-coaster, but well worth seeing." - Kiwiblog

Photos by Stephen A'Court.

C - A Musical runs until 10 August. To book, call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992 or visit www.circa.co.nz.

C - A Musical: A Great Journey

Writer/director/costume designer Paul Jenden talks to drama on the waterfront about the journey from page to stage for C - A Musical.

“Turn on the lights, rack up the sound and bring on the dancing girls. Let’s make this sucker into a musical.”

C - A Musical is heading into production week with the wind behind us and we're eager to get into Circa One. We've seriously outgrown the rehearsal studio. In the beginning we rehearsed Jackie Clarke’s songs with the grand piano in Northland and Louis Solino’s dancing was worked out when Danny Mulherron and Jane Waddell weren’t using the studio. When we first got together in the same room it was SO exciting, especially once we all stopped gossiping and actually rehearsed.

But since then the show has started spreading its wings we’ve been feeling a little cramped. So now that we’re getting into John Hodgkin’s wonderfully spacious set with the big Steinway grand piano we’re like children on Christmas morning. Add Ulli Briese’s phenomenal lights and Oceania’s sound and it feels like Westpac Stadium. All we need now is an audience that wants to have some laughs, to listen to some fabulous music and to have a secret snivel in the emotional bits.

Paul Jenden. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

It’s been a great journey getting C - A Musical onto the stage. When I was throwing up in a hospital bed I couldn’t have imagined that this group of amazing artists would join together to turn my illness into an inspiring show, let alone that Circa would get behind us and put it on stage. It’s a show for everyone, people with cancer, people who know people with cancer and especially those who just want a good night out.

Gareth Farr has excelled himself with the most divine music and the songs that are to die for. AND IT’S NOT DEPRESSING! Okay, a tear might be shed over the 90 minutes, but you won’t regret coming. The show inspires me and I was actually there! Bring a friend and abandon yourself to fun. As Jackie Clarke sings, “Say si si to C!”

- Paul Jenden

C - A Musical opens in Circa One on 6 July, and runs until 3 August. On 11 July, there is a fundraiser performance for the NZ Cancer Society - tickets are $60 ($30 goes directly to NZ Cancer society). To book for this or any night during the season, please call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992 or visit www.circa.co.nz. For a sneak preview, go here.