Simon May is an award-winning songwriter and the composer behind the EastEnders theme tune. He joins us on Close-Up Culture to tell us about ‘Rick’, an innovative new musical that is set to be performed at Bedales School in Hampshire in June as part of a creative collaboration.
It tells the story of a young boy, Rick, who walks out of his lead role in a school production after being teased by his fellow cast members. Locking himself in his room, he falls into a deep sleep and – in a plot twist inspired by the classic American folk story, Rip Van Winkle – doesn’t wake up for 100 years. As he adjusts to life in the 22nd century, Rick learns to embrace his unique abilities and develops the confidence to return and successfully perform in his school production.
Hi Simon, welcome to Close-Up Culture. ‘Rick’ is inspired partly by Rip Van Winkle. Can you tell us more about inception of this story?
Thanks for your welcome. I started writing the original ‘Rick’ twenty four years ago and it was first produced at our son’s school Aldro in Surrey. Despite several re-writes and three other later school workshop showcases it never achieved its target of becoming a full blown professional production.. As a result ‘Rick’, ironically like its lead character Rip Van Winkle, went into a long deep sleep for nearly a quarter of a century … in my archive cupboard! Eighteen months ago ago I came across my original script of ‘Rick’ with all of the songs I had written and said to my wife Rosie “ I can’t leave this world without giving ‘Rick’ another shot’”. So I have completely re-written the book, added some new songs and Bedales Head of Drama Hayley Cole decided that she and her team would like to produce the new ‘Rick’ this summer.
What themes does the story of Rick explore?
Rick is a futuristic take on the original legend of ‘Rip van Winkle’, as explored by a young boy who is given the lead part of Rip van Winkle in his school play. It explores themes such as neurodiversity, self belief and resilience in the face of bullying at Rick’s school.
Can you tell us about the creative team behind Rick?
I owe a lot to numerous friends who helped me in the early stages of the Rick journey. For the development of the new Rick I am grateful to Ant Clark who produced the new added songs, to Tom Bullard who has orchestrated the new score, and most importantly to Hayley Cole and her magnificent production and music team at Bedales who, as I write this, are creating and rehearsing their own version of Rick, ready for its performances on 26, 27 and 28 June at the Bedales Olivier Theatre.
How rewarding is it for you to work with young students on this project?
Rick is my passion project, but for this production I feel rather like a parent leaving their child at the school gate on the first day of their school and not asking the teachers if I can go into the classroom with my “baby”! So I have changed the habit of a lifetime and left them to it, but am so looking forward to seeing the dress rehearsal and meeting the young cast. I can’t describe how rewarding it is to know that something I have written is taking the time and talent of a group of youngsters who are hopefully enjoying the challenge of, to quote Hayley, “developing and performing a scratch musical from the ground up!”
How excited are you to see Rick performed in front of audiences in this month?
Can’t wait!
What should audiences expect from the show?
A family musical with an unusual story and with songs which are hopefully as melodic as my EastEnders theme!
What are your hopes for Rick in the future?
I think that the lyrics in the last song of ‘Rick’ sum up the balance I am trying to achieve in my feelings about Rick’s future: Rick’s drama teacher sings to Rick “With your head in the clouds and feet on the ground you’re allowed to be free, that’s how it’s gonna be…” On the one hand I truly believe that Rick could one day become a hit family West End musical, on the other hand I have to remind myself this is a crazy ambition and that there is a very fine line between self belief and self delusion!