Book and lyrics by Jean McConnell - Music by Terry Shaw
Set in 1820 and based on a true incident in the history of Idar Oberstein, a town famous for the craft of gem cutting from the middle ages to the present day.
The musical has a good story and music that instantly appeals. The opportunity for fantastic scene changes and as the story has two locations the opportunity for different dancing styles.Materials available:- Libretto, Piano and Vocal Score with additional parts for Percussion and Double Bass
JEAN McCONNELL – BOOK & LYRICS
JEAN wrote her first play for BBC Television while still working as an actress. Since then she has had more TV credits, including series episodes and three children’s serials. She has written plays and documentaries for Radio, and had over twenty stage plays produced and published.
She first came across the true-life story on which GEMSONG is based while staying in Germany some years ago. She thought then that it would make a fine Musical: When composer TERRY SHAW became excited by the idea and so it became reality.
TERRY SHAW - COMPOSER
TERRY SHAW has been involved in music and the theatre all his life as singer, pianist, actor, director, musical director, composer, teacher and administrator.
For many years Terry was in Education, first as a music teacher in schools, then as a lecturer in further education, and finally as Head of a large department of Creative & Media Studies. He has also toured the world with his singer/pianist cabaret act, and played many leading roles in musicals, operas and plays, including his personal favourites – the title role in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd and George’s in La Cages aux Follies.
He has written a great deal of music for educational use, including a full-length Musical for children about Robin Hood, called Under the Oak. GEMSONG is his most ambitious original work to date.
Sample Script
Full Synopsis
