Fiona talks to composer, lyricist and theatre maker Colin Ross Waterson.
Colin has been writing music for fifteen years in the traditional music industry space. He released three solo albums as WATERSON, but has now returned to the theatre—his first love. He started working professionally in the theatre at thirteen, performing on Broadway and the West End during his adult career—including a long stint with Matthew Bourne and his iconic Swan Lake—and has amassed over 10 million streams as an independent recording artist.
Colin Ross Waterson and Ben Hartley wrote new, British musical A Second Chance during the lockdowns, on opposite sides of the Atlantic. They have self-financed two readings, two workshops, and are crowdfunding the costs of a third and final workshop, which will take place in London next May. The final leg of development will be performed in front of an industry audience and some of their amazing Crowdfunders. The campaign is over 30% in a matter of weeks, with five more to go, and has seen support from celebrated actor, Alan Cumming; Emmerdale actor, Kevin Mathurin; and TONY-winning choreographer, Stephen Mear.
“…We had the idea to crowdfund because although we managed to raise finance privately for the bulk of the development—cash for the arts remains scarce—so we thought doing the last part this way would be a good way to both raise funds and start to get a community involved. We feel like its a great way to build an audience whilst funding your project…”
Colin created the music, lyrics, and orchestrations for the show—Ben Hartley, the book and choreography. Acclaimed director (and artistic director at NCPA), Bruce Guthrie is at helm, being instrumental in bringing the musical to life over the course of the development. The whole endeavour is based on real-life events, with Ben being able to turn a series of vignettes from Colin’s life into a brilliantly full-bodied, gripping book.
“…A new British musical about an aspiring singer who faces extraordinary circumstances on the road to fame. Set in the streets of Glasgow, in the late 90’s, and in London twenty years later, this is a story about love, family, struggle, sacrifice, identity, and the search for self-acceptance…”
