More Music and Musicals
HACKBACK
THE COMPUTER MUSICAL
Script, Music & Lyrics by Robert Hyman.
Published in 1988 by I.M.P. Performed all over the country and as far away as Australia and Switzerland, Hackback brings the world inside a computer to life. Funny, fast and furious although sadly now out of print still being performed, most recently performed by the Lytton Youth Group in Stevenage in March 2016
Chrys and Tab have a problem – their parents are frozen in time.
Dr. Crow has a problem – the Sonic Demodulator has been stolen!
The Components have a problem – Daisy Wheel is preparing to take over the world. Rose Hip has a problem – she can’t make a decent cup of tea. Well, we all have problems but luckily, in this instance, help is at hand…
TALE OF TWO CITIES
Written for BODEN STUDIOS
Words and Music by Robert Hyman
Based on the novel by Charles Dickens this huge sung-through adaptation was first performed at the Hackney Empire in 1988. Subsequently it was entered into the Vivian Ellis awards of the same year and made the final receiving high praise from the likes of Tony Hatch and Jackie Trent and Dan Crawford
BOOGIE BEEBIES
Three songs commissioned by the B.B.C. for the second series of Boogie Beebies
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT SIMMY
Script by Pravesh Kumar
Music by Robert Hyman
In 2007 Robert worked with RIFCO ARTS to create the incidental music to this charming play full of drama, comedy and sparkle.
Simmy is an “imported” Indian bride whose marriage isn’t off to a good start. Her husband Raj runs away on their wedding night, leaving Simmy alone with her crazy new family. A community conscious mother-in-law, a diabetic granddad obsessed with biscuits and Mindy, her neurotic sister in law. Not allowed to leave the house in case the Aunties become suspicious, she regrets ever setting foot in the UK. When her brother-in-law arrives back at home, an unexpected love story starts to unfold.
FROM A SPARK TO A FLAME
A joint commission from the T.U.C. and Theatretrain to celebrate one of the most important stories British Political History receiving performances at the Old Vic, the Tolpuddle festival and the T.U.C. itself.
A ‘Dramatic Cantata’ telling the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs.
Written for a choir, soloists and narrator and then semi-staged.
Performed at the Tolpuddle festival in 2002 with actress Kate Williams as the narrator and again in 2011 this epic work produced tears on it’s first performance
‘This powerful tale of hope and collective victory is needed now more than ever, as a reminder that the Coalition’s attacks on the lives of working people can be beaten through united action. A must-see for anyone at this year’s Tolpuddle Festival where the production will be shown again’
Socialist party review after a performance at the TUC in 2011
AND A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM
Another ‘Dramatic Cantata’ for choir, soloists and narrator.
Written at the request of the T.U.C. for Theatretrain to perform to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Burston School Strike – the longest strike in British history.
HOUSE
Written for MILLFIELD YOUTH THEATRE
A world premiere commission by the Millfield Theatre, Edmonton from an A4E lottery grant written for and about young people. Millfield House was a harsh Victorian orphanage and 400 pauper children worked the land where Millfield Theatre now stands. Using this as the starting point the musical explores the past and the present as they come together in an exciting adventure. What is behind the bricked up wall? What are the mysterious objects in the well? Find out as humour and tragedy blend together in a vibrant and exciting show that will touch your heart and bring the past to life.
Y3K
Written for MILLFIELD YOUTH THEATRE
Set one thousand years in the future on the eve of the third millennium. An extraordinary and cataclysmic even has taken place and the Old World is gone. The people of the Earth are no longer divided by race and nation but by a startling new differential. The last patch of grass now grows in a museum. A workforce of robots and the people of Earth are controlled by a new power. In this brave new world there is still human warmth and love but at what cost?
READY TO WEAR
MILLFIELD YOUTH THEATRE
Some will know that Pulchritude used to be the most successful, most popular hippest fashion magazine ever produced. Not, unfortunately, any more. Surely someone can save the magazine from total destruction! Our top designers could but they are too busy fighting each other for sole supremacy of a fabulous fashion empire. Who can come to its rescue? Who will have the biggest tantrum? And what does Bodric Slobbernocker actually do? Models, music, divas and dancing, are you ready to Wear or Ready to War!
FOUR SEASONS
An instrumental piece written for the Woodland Trust for a piece of open-air theatre that was performed actually in Epping Forest
20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA
Script by Patrick Prior
Music by Robert Hyman
At Theatre Royal Stratford East
Gliding deep under the ocean, the indestructible submarine Nautilus imprisons an unlikely band of adventurers. Caught up in Captain Nemo’s evil plot to rule the world, Professor Arronax, Lady Snide-Worthington and the dashing young harpoonist, Ned, must escape their captor or become his victims. Can the friendly penguin come to their aid? Is the monstrous fish-man from the lost city of Atlantis a friend or foe? Or will heroes and villains alike be destroyed when an angry giant squid takes its revenge on Nemo and his magnificent ship?
WORST WITCH
Written for SNAP THEATRE CO.
Robert wrote songs for the national tour directed by Andy Graham based on the children’s book by Jill Murphy
FREESTYLE
Written for BODEN STUDIOS
Script by Maureen Boden
Music and Lyrics by Robert Hyman
Performed at the Bloomsbury Theatre, Freestyle tells the story of Biff a boy torn between his love of ballet and his BMX bike and his journey to a strange new world where all things are possible.
