I have written 3 musicals in the last few years (“Toad, “Evacuees”, “Little People”) and almost finished a 4th (“A Christmas Wish”). I am 59 the – eldest of 5 children born in 1955 into a working class family in the New Town of Cwmbran in South Wales. We had little money coming in – none spare for music lessons or an instrument. I was fortunate I was able to pass the entrance examination for my local (Croesyceiliog) Grammar School. In 1973 I began my medical training at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. I have been privileged to serve the good people of Sutton Coldfield as a GP since 1982. I have just retired with the aim of trying to find a new career in music! It seems a crazy idea. The odds are against me. I have no formal training and no connections in the musical world. I can’t sing! I’ve started trying to learn piano but play badly – I can’t read the left hand so have to write my music as chords and melody.
I do, however, think I have a talent for writing good tunes and lyrics – maybe even some great tunes!
I spent a year or more writing my first musical “Toad” based on Kenneth Grahame’s “Wind in The Willows” which I completed in 2013. As I write this profile I still haven’t shown “Toad” to anyone – (not even my wife).
In 2014 I wrote another musical entitled “Evacuees”- a story of 3 siblings evacuated from London at the outbreak of World War 2 to a host family in the Welsh valleys.
In April 2015 I completed “Little People” – an original romantic story about 3 sisters who in Edwardian times travel to a magical Fairy Kingdom.
I am currently writing “A Christmas Wish” – the story of a young boy named Ollie who loses his father at the age of 5 in 2010 at the age of 5. Each year he sends a letter to Santa – always with the same request. Most of the story is set in the present (2015) – will his wish finally come true?
I’ve joined MMD as an associate in the hope of finding someone who could listen to my tunes and tell me to persevere, or that I’m wasting my time! ‘Til then I’ll carry on dreaming! Hopefully I’ll get some positive feedback and tips on how to progress!