Theatre / News
Musical written and based in Bristol wins major award
A song from the musical, The Circle, which is about a songwriting circle based in Bristol won The Stiles and Drewe Best New Song Prize.
The annual prize is produced by Mercury Musical Developments and recognises achievement in musical theatre songwriting, as well as celebrating the talents of composers and lyricists from around the UK.
Written by local singing teacher and Grammy member, Rachel Walker Mason, the song, Drown Without Water, is about experience with postnatal depression, based on the singer’s own experience.
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“Writing a song about postnatal depression was daunting as we needed to get the lyrics just right to convey all the character had been through,” Rachel tells Bristol24/7.
“I have also suffered with postnatal depression after the births of my children so used my personal experience to create the story for the character.
“The judges said it was the authenticity of the lyrics that captivated them, and pulled them into the story.”
West End star Renee Lamb performed the award-winning track at the award ceremony. photo: Rachel Mason
The prize was awarded by musical theatre greats Stiles and Drewe at an event held at The Other Palace in London on 13 November.
Drown Without Water was performed at the event by Renee Lamb, a West End star and the original Catherine Of Aragon from Six the Musical.
Of the award, Rachel said: ““The award means so much to me and the entire creative team for The Circle as it is such a well-respected and established award within the musical theatre community, it gives us a lot of confidence going forward with the musical.”
Main photo: Rachel Mason
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