
Dylan Townley reflects on his time as the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton. You can read about the first part of Dylan’s residency here.
I have had a fantastic time in this second half of the Cameron Mackintosh Composing Residency at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton.
In May-June I was lucky to work on a co-production of ‘Dracula: The Bloody Truth’ by the Octagon and the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, where I took up the role of Associate to the marvellous composer and actor Simon Slater (whose work I loved already after seeing the National Theatre’s production of ‘Amadeus’).
It was a joy to work on this madcap vampire comedy. Simon is a very generous and playful collaborator – he gave me plenty of music and sound to work on, as well as sharing the process of making his own spine-tingling compositions. He also welcomed me into his longstanding creative partnership with director Paul Robinson (the SJT’s Artistic Director). Paul ran one of the loveliest and funniest rehearsal rooms I’ve worked in, and the cast were outstanding, with everyone multi-roling and seeming to switch effortlessly between sinister horror and hilarious farce – with music cues keeping pace at near-breakneck speed.
For the final month of the residency I came back to Bolton from the vampire’s lair (the show that is, not Yorkshire) and the Octagon team gave me great support to develop my own work. After a couple of pitch meetings, we settled on the extraordinary story of a mass trespass that took place on Winter Hill, just outside Bolton. In 1896, over ten-thousand Boltonians marched to assert their ancient right of way on a hill that the local landowner had fenced off for grouse-shooting. The Octagon’s Artistic Director, Lotte Wakeham, made an inspired suggestion to develop this story with a community chorus – making a piece both about Bolton people and by Bolton people.
The Octagon’s amazing Creative Engagement team brought together a cross-generational community chorus, drawn from their over-50s ArtBeat group and from Young Octagon. The group were a delight to work with. They offered so many insights and experiences of Winter Hill, and we devised an array of music and movement pieces over a few R&D sessions, which resulted in a scratch performance to Octagon guests, staff, and participants’ loved ones. This event was such a special way to finish the residency, and included a fascinating Q&A session discussing the performance and Winter Hill’s rich history. There will hopefully be more to come – watch this space!
The residency has been joyous, and a significant step in my composing career. I have found new working relationships and friendships full of exciting possibilities; had time and support to extend my practice; worked on projects which will have future life, including a remount and tour of ‘Animal Farm’ next year; and I have seen up close how a producing theatre can make great work and thrive in the UK today. The Octagon will always have a special place in my heart! Thank you to MMD, MTN and the Mackintosh Foundation for creating such rich opportunities for composers. If you are a composer thinking of applying, I’d always say go for it – but bring a wooden stake and garlic, just in case.