Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer Scheme Winners Announced

Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network have announced the winners of the next three placements for the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer Scheme.

The Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer Scheme is supported by the Mackintosh Foundation. It provides six-month placements in major theatres throughout the UK for emerging professional theatre composers. 179 applications were received for the last three placements and following two intensive rounds of selection and judging, including writing new works to briefs from the respective venues, the three successful candidates were selected. The standard of the entries was exceedingly high, making the selection process a difficult but hugely rewarding and exciting one. The three placements will take place between now and March 2015, in consultation with the respective venues and their chosen composers.

The venues and successful candidates are:

Bristol Old Vic (Artistic Director Tom Morris):
Resident Composer: Kieran Buckeridge

Kieran has worked as a composer and actor, writing music for productions at Tobacco Factory Bristol, Salisbury Playhouse and Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough. His work has so far focused on shows for children and pantomimes but he says he will relish the chance to work in new ways and in different genres. 'This scheme will enable me to broaden my horizons as a composer. Working with different directors and creatives excites me, particularly within a single building'.

ShaRon Clark, Literary Producer at Bristol Old Vic said: "We are extremely excited about the many creative possibilities of having a talented composer embedded into the artistic programme of the Bristol Old Vic. We are all looking forward to working with Kieran over the coming year and would like to thank the Cameron Mackintosh Foundation for this unique opportunity. We were astounded by the astonishingly high calibre of candidates the scheme attracted."

Soho Theatre (Artistic Director Steve Marmion):
Resident Composer: Greg Harradine

Greg has a Masters in Composing for Film and TV and composed music for several theatre productions around the UK, including at the Edinburgh and Brighton Fringe Festivals and at London venues such as the Leicester Square Theatre, The Actors' Church (Covent Garden) and the Rose Theatre. 'I relish the opportunity to embed myself in the creative life of the Soho Theatre and eagerly contribute in any and every way I can during the scheme'.

Steve Marmion said: "We are looking forward to Greg joining us at Soho Theatre. He will be working across our eclectic programme, helping to create the most theatrical and entertaining new theatre, comedy and cabaret. This wouldn't be possible without the continued support of Mackintosh Foundation (who have also supported our rolling Assistant Producer programme), Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network. We can't wait to share the shows."

Watermill Theatre, Newbury (Artistic Director Hedda Beeby):
Resident Composer: Paul Herbert

Paul has worked as a composer, musical director and arranger at several venues, including Salisbury Playhouse, University of Cumbria and the Criterion Theatre and Trafalgar Studios in London. 'I have had some experience working in regional theatre on individual contracts; a residency will give me a fuller insight into the requirements and mechanics of writing to a specific brief, offer the chance to show my versatility and employ a wide range of compositional styles.'

Hedda Beeby said: "We are absolutely delighted to be part of the Resident Composer Scheme. As a small theatre with limited funds we are seldom able to commission original music so this scheme will be a wonderful boost to enhance our productions. We are hugely grateful to the Mackintosh Foundation for making this rare opportunity possible."

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