WORKSHOPS

Richard and Julian run three workshops:

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN WORKSHOP

WIND IN THE WILLOWS WORKSHOP

SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A MUSICAL

See below for details of each and go to the bottom of the page to contact them to arrange a workshop for your group.

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN WORKSHOP

Designed for groups producing the show, a 'Railway Children' workshop is tailored to your group's needs. The Workshop normally takes place sometime during the rehearsals and gives exciting insight into the musical, the background and allows you to rehearse the show with it's creators. 

The workshop can be a half-day (3 hours) or full day (6 hours) and is planned in association with the company's production team.

Pictures and Feedback from the Cheltenham Operatic and Dramatic Society workshop:

     

'Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the workshop this afternoon. Really buzzing about the show now! Thanks a lot!'
CODS workshop participant

Jill Mico, director of the CODs production writes:

“As part of our rehearsals we were lucky enough to have an opportunity to work with the creators of the show, lyricist Julian Woolford and composer Richard John. It's not every day you get the chance to meet and actually work with the creators of one of our musicals. Julian and Richard spent a Sunday afternoon with the cast and production team. It was fascinating to hear how the show had come into being and how they decided which elements of the book to include and which to leave out and to understand how the musical numbers evolved from simple constructions into the wonderful compositions that punctuate the story.

Just to give you a flavour, Richard, explained how 'Posh Talk' - the musical number where the Railway Children meet the children of the village for the first time and view one another with hostility and suspicion - evolved from a playground chant.

Julian took us through a wonderfully simple and yet fascinating exercise to help us develop the characters.

As well as enhancing our production, it was a special opportunity for musical theatre enthusiasts both young and old to gain an insight into the world of the professionals and we are delighted and not a little daunted to know that Julian and Richard will be in the audience during our run!”

      

WIND IN THE WILLOWS WORKSHOP

Designed for groups producing the show, a 'Wind In The Willows' workshop can be  tailored to your group's needs. The Workshop normally takes place sometime during the rehearsals and gives exciting insight into the musical, the background and allows you to rehearse the show with it's creators. In particular this workshop focuses on the theme of friendship in the piece and in the physical playing of the riverside animals. 

The workshop can be a half-day (3 hours) or full day (6 hours) and is planned in association with the company's production team.

SO YOU WANT TO WRITE A MUSICAL?

Writing a musical is a daunting task. This two-week intensive workshop is designed for everyone who wants to write a musical - from absolute beginners to established songwriters and dramatists.

Originally created for Sevenoaks Playhouse and drawing on Julian and Richard's work teaching on the MA Musical Theatre Writing course at the University of London, this programme begins with storytelling and takes the groups through songwriting and script writing, leading to a collectively written musical lasting an hour, which is performed on the last day of the course.
 
The course is especially suited for drama schools and regional theatres as a summer project. The course needs a group of 6 - 20 participants.

BOOK A WORKSHOP

Enquire here for more details.

Please include a contact name, phone number and the location and dates of your production.