The Craft of Writing Podcast

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Join Sam Hall as he talks to some of the most exciting composers, lyricists and theatre-makers about all things writing. Expect in depth chats about lyrics, melody, harmony, orchestration, dramaturgy and much more. Join Sam for a deep dive into the constructs of writing musical theatre.

Sam Hall


    • Dec 31, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 45m AVG DURATION
    • 24 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Craft of Writing Podcast

    New Year's Eve Eve Rambling...

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2023 7:47


    Thanks for listening this year, here's some rambling. Get in touch! thecraftofwritingpodcast@gmail.com Peace and Love xx

    S2 Episode 9: Benjamin Scheuer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2023 60:34


    We're back, and this week I talk to singer-songwriter Benjamin Scheuer. Ben's shows include 'The Lion' & 'Mountain for Elodie' and has won several awards including the Kleban Prize for Lyrics. Instagram/Twitter - benjaminscheuer Songs featured: 1. 'The Lion' from The Lion 2. 'Cookie Tin Banjo' from The Lion 3. 'Weather The Storm' from The Lion 4. 'Hello Jemima' from A Mountain for Elodie 5. 'A Mountain for Elodie' from A Mountain for Elodie 6. 'Hibernate with Me' from Hibernate With Me (book)

    S2 Episode 8: Jordan Paul Clarke

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 58:49


    This week I talk to Jordan Paul Clarke about his work as a composer and MD. Insta - jordanpaulclarke Twitter - jordanclarkemus Music featured in this episode: 1. 'Any Day Now' from Angry Salmon (Sung by Grace Mouat) 2. 'Boreham Wood' from Friday Night Sinner (written with and performed by Candy Gigi) 3. 'Everywhere I Look' (written with Francesca Forristal) 4. ' Facebook Ad' from Public Domain (written with and performed by Francesca Forristal) 5. 'Really Good Stuff' from Public Domain (written with and performed by Francesca Forristal) 6. 'Lovely Boat' from Public Domain (written with and performed by Francesca Forristal)

    S2 Episode 7: Caroline Kay

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2023 45:21


    This week I chat with the fantastic singer-songwriter, actor and musical theatre writer Caroline Kay. Instagram/Twitter - carolinekay117 Music featured in this episode: 1. 'A Million Things' from Daisy 2. 'Light The Way' from Daisy 3. 'Beyond The Common Ground' from Deaf West Musical (title TBC) 4. 'Half of My Heart' from The Space Between 5. 'Holding onto Hope' from The Hardest Part (film currently in development) 6. 'Better Than You' from her 2nd EP 'Tricks'

    S2 Episode 6: Tom Deering - Orchestration Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 68:28


    This week something a little different... I talk to Orchestrator, Composer and Musical Supervisor Tom Deering about his life and work. Tom has orchestrated such shows as 'Standing At The Skies Edge', the wildly different 'Carousel' at Regent Park 2021, 'Wonder.Land', working with such artists as Damon Albarn and Richard Hawley. Listen to the soundtrack of 'Standing At The Skies Edge' on Spotify to hear Tom's beautiful work.

    S2 Episode 5: Anderson & Freeman

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2023 55:43


    We're back! This week I talk with Mark Anderson and Lee Freeman. We talk about their show 'Proud', a musical about conversion therapy. Instagram - leeandmarkmusic Music featured in this episode, all from 'Proud': 1. 'Make Them Proud' 2. 'We Love You s You Are' - Sung by Rebecca Lock & Chris Draper 3. 'The Man Inside' 4. 'Just Us' 5. 'You Almighty' 6. 'The Temptation of Me' - Sung by Jordan Luke Gage

    S2 Episode 4: Annabelle Lee Revak

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2023 41:50


    This week I talk to Annabelle Lee Revak about her writing and process. We also talk about her musical 'Train on Fire' recently performed at MT festival 2023. Twitter - AnnabelleLRevak Instagram - annabelleleerevak Music featured in this episode: 1. 'Sing to Fill the Silence' from Windsong 2. 'Mad Woman' from Train on Fire 3. 'Lullaby for the Burning Girl' from Train on Fire 4. 'Broken Though it Be' from Windsong 5. 'Listen' from Train on Fire 6. 'The Last Tale I Will Ever Tell' from Windsong

    S2 Episode 3: Neil Bastian

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2023 50:56


    This week I interview composer and passionate new musical supporter Neil Bastian. We discuss his writing process as well as his musical 'The Rise and Fall of Vinnie and Paul', based on the true story of Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin's 'friendship'. Songs featured (all from The Rise and Fall of Vinnie and Paul): 1. Sunflower Power 2. Our Little Yellow House 3. A Fistful of Brushes 4. Me and My Mind 5. Way Past Midnight 6. Red is the Colour

    S2 Episode 2: Hilmi Jaidin

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2023 59:30


    This week I talk with Hilmi Jaidin and we really get into some detail, especially with lyrics! Twitter - @HilmiJaidin Instagram - hilmijaidinmusicals Songs featured in this episode: 1. 'Our Unnamed Southeast Asian Country' from Cruel, Inhuman & Degrading2. 'Deserve To Die' from Shift+Alt+Right 3. 'A Good Guy With A Gun' from Airbourne4. 'My Mom' from Shift+Alt+Right5. 'Speak Now' from Cruel, Inhuman & Degrading6. 'The World Goes Away When You Sleep' from Airbourne

    S2 Episode 1: Ricky Allan

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 53:36


    The Craft of Writing is back for season 2 and what better way to kick things off than with creator of 'Treason', Ricky Allan. Twitter @RickyAllanMusic Instagram - rickster_gram Songs featured (all from Treason): 1. Take Things Into Our Own Hands 2. The Inevitable 3. No Happy Ending 4. All We Dreamed & More 5. The Cold, Hard Ground 6. Caught In the Crossfire

    'I Want Song' Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2023 52:21


    In this episode I put out an open submission call for original 'I Want Songs' from new British musicals. Featured in this episode are: 1. Rachel Bellman & Josh Bird 2. Sophie Boyce & Veronica Mansour 3. Neil Bastian 4. Jordan Li Smith 5. Eliza Waters 6. Bobbi Zion 7. Helen Arney & Jenna Dyckhoff (Demo sung by Nora Perone and Charlotte Hannan, piano by Rob Gathercole, mixed by James Hughes).

    S1 Episode 10: Darren Clark

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 58:28


    The season one finale episode! A wonderful chat with 'Wicker Husband' and 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' composer/lyricist Darren Clark. Apologies about the audio quality in this episode… unfortunately Darren's microphone was a bit lively! Twitter @MusicDJC Instagram - darrenclarkmusic Songs featured in this episode: 1. 'Time' from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 2.‘Calculation of the Heart' from Turing  3. ‘Short History of Mexico' from Day of the Living 4. ‘Heart of the Weave' from Wicker Husband 5. ‘I'll Supply the Withy' from Wicker Husband 6. ‘Peace in the Puzzle' from Turing

    S1 Episode 9: Izzie Winter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2023 45:04


    I chat to Izzie Winter about their process, recent musical 'My Sister is Missing' and navigating the writing world as neurodivergent. Twitter @izziewinter Instagram - izziewinter Music featured: 1. 'For When I Sleep' from For When I Sleep EP 2. 'All That I Am' from My Sister is Missing 3. 'Missing You' from My Sister is Missing 4. 'Ringing Round' from My Sister is Missing 5. 'For When I Sleep' from For When I Sleep EP 6. 'Tell Me' (Single Release)

    S1 Episode 8: Gus Gowland

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2023 43:37


    This episode I chat to ‘Mayflies' and ‘Pieces of String' writer Gus Gowland about his work and writing process. Twitter - @GusGowland Instagram - gustopherjones Music featured in this episode: 1. 'Running on Empty' from Mayflies 2. 'Better Late than Never' from Mayflies 3. 'Jigsaw' from Mayflies 4. 'Standing in the Shadows' from Pieces of String 5. 'Ordinary' from Pieces of String 6. 'Lifeboat' from Lifeboats

    S1 Episode 7: Tim Sutton

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 70:18


    This week I chat to composer, lyricist, musical director and MAGICIAN Tim Sutton. Tim is also an educator who teaches on the 'Book, Music & Lyrics' workshop in London. Twitter - TimSuttonMusic Instagram - timsutton www.timsutton.net Songs featured in this episode: 1. 'Longing to Belong' from To The Streets 2. Bumpety Road 3. 'Edge of the World' from Victory 4. 'Johnny' 5. 'Seems Very Far Away' from To the Streets 6. 'Sian' from Tilting at Windmills

    S1 Episode 6: Brunger and Cleary

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2023 43:05


    In this episode I talk to Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary about their writing collaboration. Their shows include 'The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole' and 'The Great British Bake Off' in the West End. Instagram/Twitter - jakeandpippa Music featured in this episode: 1. 'Misunderstood' from Adrian Mole 2. 'My Dad' from The Great British Bake Off 3. 'A Simple Valley Song' from Jet Set Go 4. 'Better' from Red Riding Hood 5. 'Single Married Widowed' from upcoming show My Life Without You 6. 'Obviously' from The Great British Bake Off 7. 'Say It In Song' from Prodigy

    S1 Episode 5: Jack Miles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2023 41:24


    This week I chat to Jack Miles about his journey with writing and the recent run 'In Clay', a one-woman musical about the joy of creating art. Twitter - jackthemiles Instagram - jackhasthisnow Music featured in this episode: 1. 'Sanctuary' from St Anne Comes Home 2. 'Fingernails' from In Clay 3. 'Spark' from In Clay 4. 'Talent' from In Clay 5. 'Still' from St Anne Comes Home 6. 'Ready' from St Anne Comes Home

    S1 Episode 4: Shoenfeld and Burt - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2023 30:06


    Part 2 of my chat with Amir Shoenfeld and Caitlyn Burt. Songs featured in this episode: 1. 'Looking at the Moon' Wining song of 'A Song for Our Time (Tarento Produtions), sung by Hadley Fraser and a volunteer choir of West End Stars. 2. 'The Line' from The Line 3. 'The Only Honeyeater' from The Only Honeyeater 4. 'Dingo' from Sheila the Tiny Turtle, IndieWorks Theatre

    S1 Episode 4: Shoenfeld and Burt - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2023 34:40


    On this week's episode, I chat to Amir Shoenfeld and Caitlyn Burt about there collaboration techniques. We also discuss their new musical 'Otto Weidt's Brush and Broom Workshop for the Blind', set in during WW2 and Inspired by a true story, Otto Weidt is a blind German man who employs Jewish workers with vision impairments, shielding them from the Nazis.  Twitter/Instagram - @AmirShoenfeld @Caitlyn_Burt_ Music featured in this episode: 1.'Otto Weidt's Brush & Broom Workshop for the Blind' from Otto.. 2. 'A Woman and a Man' from Otto... 3. 'A Man Called John' from Pop Johanna Part 2 available now!

    S1 Episode 3: Tasha Taylor Johnson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2023 34:50


    In this weeks' episode I talk to Tasha Taylor Johnson about her musical 'Cake' and her writing process. Tasha is a composer, lyricist, writer & performer. She's been tipped as ‘One to watch', Sunday Times, and her work ‘Different, fresh and Original' by Richard Thomas (Jerry Springer the Opera). She was awarded the prestigious Cameron  Macintosh Resident Composer position at Leicester Curve in 2017 & continues as an Associate Artist there. Twitter - ttj1 Instagram - tashataylorjohnson Music featured in this episode: 1. ‘To be A Martyr' from Good Morning Midnight - McOnie Company - Orchestration by Phil Cornwall 2. 'Let Them Eat Cake' from Cake 3. 'Tax' from Cake 4. 'Z Listed' from Cake 5. 'George's Jam'  from George's Marvellous Medicine - Leicester Curve 6. ‘Life inside a Bowl' from Cat In the Hat - Leicester Curve

    S1 Episode 2: Matthew Harvey

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2023 36:16


    This episode I talk to Matthew Harvey (He/Him) about all things writing, his work with LMTO and his musical 'Now or Never'. The Stage writes of Harvey's work: “the songs that comprise it are a wonderful calling card for Harvey. He has the knack for telling a story succinctly and deftly within a song and setting it to memorable melodies.” Find more of his music on his website here - matthewharveymusic.com Twitter/Instagram - mharveymusic Music featured in episode: 1. 'What I Want is' from Only A Moment 2. 'Only A Moment' from Only A Moment 3. 'Say The Words' from Coven 4. 'Everything is Fine' from Meet Cute 5. 'As Far As We Get' from Now Or Never 6. 'Whatever Happens Next' from Now Or Never

    S1 Episode 1: Jack Godfrey - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 27:36


    Part 2 of my chat with Jack Godfrey. Find more of Jack's music on his socials: Twitter/Instagram - jjgodfreyy Songs featured in this episode: 1. 'Someone Else' from Babies 2. 'The One' from This Is A Love Story 3. 'Somebody's Story' from 42 Balloons

    S1 Episode 1: Jack Godfrey - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 35:06


    In this, the FIRST PROPER episode, I talk to Jack Godfrey about his writing process and the journey his musical '42 Balloons' took, from initial concept to its West End presentation production. We also talk about traumatising audiences, constructive/destructive feedback and much more. Find more of Jack's music on his socials: Twitter/Instagram - jjgodfreyy Songs Featured in episode: 1. 'Baby Baby Baby' from Babies 2. 'Prologue' from 42 Balloons 3. 'Without Saying Goodbye' from Babies 4. "Hot Dad' from Babies Part 2 available now!

    The Most Self Indulgent Episode Ever...

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2023 27:10


    Join me, as I kick off this podcast series by interviewing... me. Narcissism X100000. Music featured in this episode: 1. 'Here for Him' from On The Edge 2. 'I Am Worried For My Daughters' from Two Sisters 3. 'First Date' from Two Sisters 4. 'What I See' from Vacancy 5. 'Lullaby' from On The Edge 6. 'The Wind and The Rain and The River' from Two Sisters

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