the deadly game of marbles
The Deadly Game of Marbles was one of the most beautiful and special projects in which I have had the privilege to be involved. Written by Peter Wilkins, a veteran of the Australian theatre, it told the story of the build up to Australia’s participation in the Vietnam War, primarily through the political debate and vote that took place in November, 1964. The show was written for and performed to an audience composed exclusively of veterans of the war, in the very chamber where the debate had originally taken place in Old Parliament House, Canberra.
Remember
Below is my home demo of the opening number, which sets the scene for the play. Titled Remember, it is sung by veterans of a previous war (WWII) recalling their service, the memories that are indelibly painted on their minds, and what their sacrifice was for - to gift Australia the freedom to be her own nation, out from under the thumb of the British Empire.
Katerina Smalley performing Song of the Fearful Mother in Old Parliament House
rockspeare: richard III
“From the opening jig it is evident that Lakespeare’s Richard lll promises a pulsating version of the play, highlighted by Jay Cameron’s brilliantly inspired composition...”
Photograph by PassOut Media
During the COVID-19 crisis, I was lucky enough to be brought on board to compose music for Canberra based Lakespeare & Co’s stunning re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Richard III, performed to a small COVID-safe live audience and professionally live streamed to hundreds of viewers all over the world.
Collaborating with renowned Australian director Lexi Sekuless, I created what I feel to be a unique score that blended high energy rock music with orchestral textures and haunting voices.
ZERO
(in development)
ZERO tells the story of one of the most influential yet unknown figures of the 20th Century, journalist and novelist John Hersey. In 1946, with the support of the New Yorker magazine, Hersey revealed to the world the true cost of nuclear weaponry by telling the stories of six survivors of the bombing of Hiroshima. The impact of this article was felt all over the world and dramatically shifted the public perception of nuclear weapons.
“What has kept the world safe from the bomb since 1945 has been the memory of what happened in Hiroshima.”
ZERO explores the idea of the impact of the individual’s action or inaction on the future.
Set in an alternative future where Hersey has recoiled from the responsibility of telling this dramatic truth, nuclear weapons have been used once more, and in Purgatory, Hersey is faced with the consequences of his inaction.
Showcases
The 1901 Arts Club, London (December 2017)
The Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh (August 2017)
Following the success of these showcases in Edinburgh, I was funded by the Scottish Arts Club Charitable Trust to perform a similar showcase at the 1901 Arts Club in London. Looking back on these showcases, I am always stunned by the level of talent of my collaborators in the UK.
In August 2017, I showcased my work with two intimate evenings of music at The Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh. At these shows I performed a full concert version of his musical A Gentleman's Game (see below), other musical theatre songs he wrote in 2017 and a couple of tributes to his greatest influences.
A Gentleman's Game
“...a musical like no other at the Fringe. Original, moving and dark, all carried out with grace”
“A soaring romance underscored by an equally soaring original score”
At Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016, I debuted my first fully composed musical, A Gentleman's Game which was created in collaboration with book writer and very close friend Jimi Mitchell.
At the turn of the 19th century in London, a young heir is struggling to live up to his father's fierce legacy. He has everything he could want: a woman he loves, a house to be proud of and the greatest city in the world at his fingertips. However, as the threat of poverty creeps onto his doorstep and the ghosts from his past start to rear their ugly heads, The Gentleman is faced with an impossible choice. Should he face his demons and risk ruining the family name or hide and live with the cursed memory of his past which is rapidly destroying his mind.
Jimi and Jay interviewed by Melissa Hoban at Fringe 2016
The Unopened Letter live at Space Triplex during the Fringe 2016 run.
Jay Cameron and Esmee Cook perform Decaying Beauty from the musical A Gentleman's Game.