Southampton guitarists in the West End
Southampton guitarists have been making their mark on the professional theatre world.
Alumnus and current staff member Jon Gingell appeared in the house band for the Mercury Musical Developments 20th Anniversary Gala last weekend, performing on electric and classical guitars and banjo. The show presented music from a range of British musical theatre composers, including Howard Goodall, Tim Minchin, Willy Russell and Sandy Wilson. It included two other Southampton alumni — guitarists Andy Shaw and Ollie Hannifan — who were featured in a spot for Loserville, an original British musical by James Bourne and Elliot Davis. The duo are featured as guitarists onstage in the band, with arrangements supervised by 2012 Tony award winner Martin Lowe. Loserville, which was developed through Youth Music Theatre UK, opened this week for a six-month run at the Garrick theatre after a successful run at West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Over the summer, Jon Gingell played at the Soho Theatre for the latest Stiles & Drewe musical, Soho Cinders, with another Southampton guitar alumnus, Ben Price. The show had strong reviews and featured the pair in a series of duets with established players Jenna Russell and Michael Xavier.