Work In Progress Theatre and GKT Musical Theatre present Dinner With Gatsby “I think that those people harm themselves and society...” “marriage can only be between a man and woman, I shall not surrender my principles…” “Something must be found, first, to restore women's desire to be married…” When F. Scott Fitzgerald put pen to paper on his novel The Great Gatsby in 1924, the role of a woman was to concern herself with home, children, and religion. Her husband took care of business and politics, and every child was raised by a mother and a father, with clearly defined roles. Surely as a society we’re more forward thinking 100 years on? Pull up a chair as Dinner With Gatsby transports you into an era of opulence, rebellion, and unforgettable entertainment. Old money meets new, old-fashioned values are thrown out the window, and the exhilarating spirit of decadent parties, secret speakeasies, and pulsating jazz music take over. But throughout all this, just who is this elusive Gatsby? What is it that makes him so revered across New York? Can unrequited love overcome society’s heteronormative expectations? And what sins does money conceal for these American socialites? And the quotes? They’re all from current politicians. We’ll let you decide for yourself whether society has changed. --- Cast: Charlotte Flynn - Nick Carraway Georgia McNeill - Daisy Buchanan Rheanna Arbon- Jay Gatsby Madeleine English - Jordan Baker Mariam Can - Myrtle Wilson Sendhilen Ramen - Tom Buchanan Creative Team: Erica Hartley - Writer/Director Rohan Godfrey - Musical Director Maria Hallows - Musical Director Benjamin Jolley - Assistant Director David Sheldon - Assistant Director/Choreographer AJ Gardner - Fight Coordinator Sabrina Dieu - Producer Joshua Clayton - Executive Producer Band: Rohan Godfrey - Keyboard (Conductor) David Chen - Bass guitar Ansel Bayly - Drum kit Adrienne Wilson - Alto saxophone Technical Team: Sabrina Dieu - Production Stage Manager Clement Li - Sound Operator Lantukh - Light Designer/Operator Jake Perkin - Light Designer/Operator Sarah Chen - Set & Props Manager Jasmine Newton-Rae - Wardrobe & Practical Effects Master Rheanna Arbon - Assistant costume and prop manager Yifei Fang - Stage Hand David Sheldon - Stage Hand Benjamin Jolley - Stage Hand Isha Bah - Stage Hand Ellen Page - Stage Hand Video Production by Agate Media - www.agatemedia.co.uk

London. A vibrant, diverse city where there’s something different around every corner. From the bustling rush-hour tube, to the serenity of the parks; the sounds of the Westminster chimes, to the sound of the nightlife and the silence that follows it. The London Suite explores a day in the life within this dynamic city; taking the listener on a whistle-stop tour of everything which, love it or hate it, makes London the lively and exciting city that it is. Specific locations aren’t explicitly referenced within the composition and this is a deliberate choice. Instead, the composition hints at a variety of locations, emotions, and clichés associated with the city, allowing the listener to associate their own memories and feelings of the city to the music, whatever these may be. The work opens with a gentle morning wake up call; a soundtrack of the inevitable chimes of the clock and lush harmonies, allowing a moment for the listener to centre themselves in the City, before gradually becoming more frantic with the sounds of the bustling metropolis as rush hour begins. Layers of noise are superimposed on top of the city’s rhythmic drive and constant hum, as the streets fill to capacity, before eventually dying away and quietening down. The middle section of the work explores the places which make up the city; a day spent walking through the streets with something new everywhere you look. Instrumental features punctuate this section of the work with an abundance of solo lines or counter melodies, and each new idea brings with it connotations of something or somewhere new to the listener. The day eventually concludes with a recapitulation of the earlier rush hour section, lighter in feel but still with the driving force of a city’s population in simultaneous motion. Moving into nightlife, the work explores the contrast of the sounds and genres found in the city, overlapping ideas as if walking from one venue to the next and hearing both at the same time. From the jazz bar to the night club, the music explores several imitative motifs of varying genres, culminating in an energetic, pumping fragment before the transition from late night to early morning begins. This is a gentle, textural section, symbolising the quietness of a city which never truly sleeps; empty streets and a silent city, but with the thrumming of maintenance, cleaning, and everything that keep it running just out of earshot, never seen by many of the population, ready to begin again for another day in the endless cycle of city life. Written January - May 2023 as part of a portfolio for my Masters Composition Degree. Available for recording or performance. For more information get in touch: Joshuaclaytonmusic@outlook.com

Cracking under pressure, having a cheeky gossip, and screaming your favourite song in the shower as you question all of your life's choices. Sound familiar? Strap in as our cast of 6 fierce performers take you on a wild ride through soulful ballads that tug at the heartstrings, sharp-tongued anthems for the bold and unapologetic, and those inevitable breakdowns that remind us we're all just a little bit mad; all while showcasing the best musical theatre writing from the last 50 years. This is the cabaret for anyone who’s ever felt like laughing through the tears, shouting in defiance, or simply revelling in the drama of it all. An ode to the highs and lows of life, and the moments that make us question our sanity. Performed at Canal Cafe Theatre, Little Venice on the 16/17th November 2024 Performed by Isabella Slyman, Georgia McNeill, Erica Hartley, Rheanna Arbon, Charlotte Flynn, and Dyfan Evans. Direction by Erica Hartley Music Direction by Rohan Godfrey

Our inclusive, imaginative and impactful community & participation ASPIRE! programme aims to engage schools and community groups to become passionate advocates for the Arts. 2023 saw pupils from Willows School play with Grimethorpe Colliery Band pictured, and the 2024 theme was taken from our opening performance of The Four Seasons, performed by Rachel Podger & Brecon Baroque. Vivaldi’s masterpiece inspired both a music and art project with local primary schools in Lichfield Cathedral, and a drama project with Friary School students, led by Lichfield’s very own writer/actress, Katie Arnstein. Funded by Arts Council England

Full Text & Programme Note: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fthkhua1-GwLdVppmb2B6hRtAb6-aw6N/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114898572349440124241&rtpof=true&sd=true It has never been harder to make a living as a creative. Budgets cut, subjects wiped off the curriculum, and a pandemic. They’ve all taken their toll. Conversations about just how hard this industry is to work and survive in are a regular occurrence, strong opinions are thrown around, the news is depressing as it reports struggle after struggle after struggle. And just where are the government in all of this? Arguably, they’re responsible for it all. Requiem for the Arts is a personal reflection on all of these struggles, reimagining the classic Requiem format using the words of those trying to survive in this industry, from those at the bottom of the pile to those who have influence and are trying to change an industry from the inside out, pushing against the current. My intention for this work was to express the plight of the arts through the medium of music, for maximum emotional impact. A physical representation of the challenges facing the industry and an audible plea for help seemed to carry more gravitas than written statements, and so the concept for this work was born as an outlet for my grief and frustration regarding this industry. Splitting each of the traditional Requiem movements into a loose theme, such as ‘hope’, ‘pleading’, or ‘people’, I firstly began researching potential text sources in the wide range of industry news relating to the state of the arts. Published across The Stage (covering music, theatre, opera, and dance), BBC News, Slipped Disc, and social media, there were a wide range of potential text sources to choose from, featuring interviews with many high-profile stakeholders across the industry. These are also taken from a questionnaire which I sent out in advance of this composition, gathering a variety of feedback and insight from those who do not typically have a voice within the industry.

Secondary students from the Friary School take to the stage with original monologues crafted under the mentorship of award-winning West Midlands writer and performer, Katie Arnstein. Sparked by Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, the audience embarks on a journey – through the highs and lows of lockdown, disastrous holidays… Camping calamities, sports day chaos…To walking home alone at night… Unique perspectives from young voices, woven into a compelling showcase of emerging local talent! “It’s been such a privilege to come back to The Friary and work with these incredible students. Not only have they completely blown me away with their talent and creativity but also their teamwork, collaboration and positivity. I can’t wait for them to share their self-penned monologues with you. Expect a showcase which includes comedy, poetry, drama, honesty and warmth from these brilliant young people.” – Katie Arnstein, Festival Associate Artist. Funded by Arts Council England

Bangor University Music Societies - Mr Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra (Arr. Joshua Clayton) Arranged, orchestrated, conducted, and edited by Joshua Clayton. https://joshuaclaytonmusic.weebly.com A joint piece featuring members of: Bangor University Music Society Orchestra Bangor University Music Society Choir Bangor University Brass Band Bangor University Concert Band Bangor University Jazz Band Bangor University String Orchestra Recorded individually by members of the societies throughout the second semester. First premiered live as part of the ‘Return To Summer’ Virtual Concert on the 12th June 2021, available to watch in full here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHvWEljrdeU&t=4608s

Across our 'Where the Bees Fly' project we engaged with 1,003 community participants, delivered 166+ hours of training to children & young people, worked with 25+ volunteers, 8 community partners, & in collaboration with our 15 young producers & young theatre production team - Work In Progress Theatre, delivered 4 community art events, produced 4 incredible performances of a brand new musical & 1 community art exhibition. This has officially been one of the most exciting projects RicNic has delivered, bringing all 4 of our working strands together for the first time. Videography by Laura Garwood

The Distance Between Us is an exploration of the spectrum between distance and nearness, and how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted our relationship to this and to each other. Written for Symphony Orchestra in 5 movements, the work explores chronologically the journey through the pandemic and aims to replicate the emotions felt at each stage, before concluding with a period of reflection on the journey that humanity as a whole has been on over the last two years. At the same time, the work also aims to replicate the joy and magnitude of hearing a live orchestra play for the first time in 18 months. Written September 2021 - May 2022 as the final project for my Undergraduate Music Degree. Available for recording or performance. For more information get in touch: Joshuaclaytonmusic@outlook.com