‘City of Dreams’ is premiering this month at Esher Theatre. Starring Lee John, Peter Straker and a star-studded cast directed by Ray Shell from ‘Starlight Express’, ‘Five Guys Named Moe’ and ‘The Bodyguard’. The play is taken from the book written by Mike Read, the Surrey based BBC Radio 1 DJ and former ‘Top of the Pops’ presenter. We were lucky enough to catch up with the talented author and find out all about his show set to take Surrey by storm with 9 productions in 5 days from 25th – 29th April.
HOW DID THE IDEA FOR ‘CITY OF DREAMS’ COME ABOUT?
I am a huge fan of Eric Coates, the British composer. I was listening to him in the car one day and started singing some words to go with his music – I had a Eureka moment. It is a bit like seeing someone and falling in love… there was something special about this and I just knew I had to pursue it. I raced back home and finished the first song from the book in one night.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO WRITE THE BOOK?
I wrote the whole book in under 6 weeks. I was so excited I just had to get it out there.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT?
It’s a bit of a soap really with three intertwined love stories. I tried to make it a bit different. It’s basically ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ in Piccadilly! It’s not actually the Shakespeare play but the characters take their names from there. The club owners are called ‘Obi’ and ‘Titty’ after Oberon and Titania. It’s a bit of a comedy too. There really is something for everyone.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THE BOOK?
Eric Coates was told by the media in the 1930’s and 1940’s that he had to find a lyricist as his music was so well suited to the stage. But he never did and sadly he died in 1957, having never had the chance to do a musical. Well, here’s his first musical all these years later!! I really feel this is an ode to Coates and this is a really good, new musical.
THERE ARE SO MANY REHASHES THESE DAYS SO IT’S GREAT YOU HAVE COME UP WITH AN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION.
Yeah you’re right. When most people put on musicals they simply take songs from an artist like Queen, Meatloaf or Abba and whack it on stage. There is not a great deal of thought process that goes behind it – but I suppose they are easier to sell. There was a lot of originality that went into ‘City of Dreams’ and Ray the director even said that it genuinely sounds like the lyrics and music were written together.
HOW DID YOU COME TO PRESENT ‘CITY OF DREAMS’ TO ESHER THEATRE?
Well I was randomly talking to Charlie the owner of Esher Theatre and he asked me if I knew of any good musicals. And obviously I had to reply: “I have my own musical!” And it basically snowballed from there!
WILL YOU BE PRODUCING ANY MORE MUSICALS?
Funny you should say that. When Oscar Hemmerstein’s grandfather first arrived in New York with only a few dollars in his pocket, he built himself up from nothing till he was a theatre owner. He was talking to a writer one day and asked him how long it took him to write a play. When the writer replied “one year”, Oscar came back with, “I bet I can write one in 2 days.” And the bet was on! He stayed in a hotel in New York for 2 full days and did nothing but write, even having food delivered with just a piano and manuscript. What made it even funnier was the writer sent an organ grinder to the hotel playing music from his own play to try and put Oscar off. He changed rooms and got back to writing the play and did it. That’s exactly what I want to do go into a hotel by the sea with a microphone, a laptop and spend 2 days producing an amazing play.
‘CITY OF DREAMS’ IS ON AT ESHER THEATRE FROM 25TH – 29TH APRIL. IS IT NERVEWRACKING KNOWING THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT’S GOING OUT?
Yes it is! It’s the worldwide premiere. It’s either going to tank or go global! Watch this space!!
YOU HAVE HAD AN AMAZING CAREER MIKE – WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WAS YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT?
I’m not sure I have a highlight, more of a series of highlights really! Although, I think as a songwriter you are always delighted when someone records and performs your song and you get to listen to it on the radio or at a concert and you literally say “I can’t believe it – I wrote that sitting at my kitchen table” it’s a surreal and amazing experience.
WHAT SONG WERE YOU MOST PROUD OF WRITING?
I was lucky enough to have 5 major hits. But I suppose my biggest hit was ‘Grief Never Grows Old’ which got to number 4 and was sung by Rory and Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, Cliff Richard and The Beach Boys.
IT MUST BE AMAZING TO CREATE ALL THIS ORIGINAL CONTENT?
I have to quote one of my interviewees here, Neil Sedaka, who said in his classic American drawl when I asked him what was it like being a songwriter… “These (my songs) are my babies and I send them out into the world – and they send me money home!” Songwriting is like that but you don’t have to pay for their education!
Do you want to sing and dance through Piccadilly Circus in the midsummer of 1932 with a hint of Shakespeare? Then see Mike Read’s epic new play ‘City of Dreams’ at Esher Theatre this April.
To book tickets see the Box office: Esher Theatre 013732 469209 or website www.eshertheatre.com.
There are 9 shows…25th-29th April.
