Pieces of String
Pieces of String is an original musical set both in 1940 and the present day. When Jane returns to the family home after her father’s funeral to begin clearing out the house, she unfolds a devastating secret, the ramifications of which stretch across generations.
Stage Production Notes
Writer and composer Gus Gowland was inspired to create Pieces of String after seeing a BBC documentary that briefly mentioned gay relationships in the UK and USA during World War II, and modern day stories of gay men being unable to donate blood. Gowland sought to widen the scope for the way gay male characters are portrayed in musical theatre (a topic which he later explored in his PhD dissertation), and attempted to ensure women were also equally represented in the musical.
Gowland wrote Pieces of String over 7 years. It began as a half-hour one act grad show for Gowland’s Masters of Musical Theatre Writing at Goldsmiths, and like Lift and From Up Here, was developed through Perfect Pitch Musicals. The musical also received development at Mercury.
Writer and composer Gus Gowland was inspired to create Pieces of String after seeing a BBC documentary that briefly mentioned gay relationships in the UK and USA during World War II, and modern day stories of gay men being unable to donate blood. Gowland sought to widen the scope for the way gay male characters are portrayed in musical theatre (a topic which he later explored in his PhD dissertation), and attempted to ensure women were also equally represented in the musical.
Gowland wrote Pieces of String over 7 years. It began as a half-hour one act grad show for Gowland’s Masters of Musical Theatre Writing at Goldsmiths, and like Lift and From Up Here, was developed through Perfect Pitch Musicals. The musical also received development at Mercury.
Pieces of String premiered at the Mercury Theatre Colchester on April 20, 2018 and run until May 5, 2018.
The musical received rave reviews, with many commentators calling for a West End transfer. Writing for The Stage, Mark Shenton stated it was a “seriously impressive and utterly lovely new British musical.” Jenna Barton summarized for The Spy in the Stalls that it was “rounded, sentimental and sharply funny original musical” and Paul T. Davis at BritishTheatre.com extolled, “overall, this is a bit of a triumph.”
Although some critics pointed out that the role of Jane could be written with more dimension, all noted the exceptional nature of the original book and music, Ryan McBryde’s effective direction, and the exceptional performances of the ensemble cast.
Pieces of String was nominated for a range of awards including the inaugural Musical Theatre Bookwriting Award from the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (another 2018 filmed live musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie was also nominated). The musical won the 2018 Stage Debut Award for Best Composer or Lyricist (Gus Gowland) and the UK Theatre Award for Best Musical Production.
Several publications also included Pieces of String in their Best Theatre of 2018 lists, including Musical Theatre Review, BritishTheatre.com, and The Stage.
Pieces of String was performed at London’s Brasserie Zédel on June 30, 2019, as part of the venue’s Pride Month celebrations.
The musical received rave reviews, with many commentators calling for a West End transfer. Writing for The Stage, Mark Shenton stated it was a “seriously impressive and utterly lovely new British musical.” Jenna Barton summarized for The Spy in the Stalls that it was “rounded, sentimental and sharply funny original musical” and Paul T. Davis at BritishTheatre.com extolled, “overall, this is a bit of a triumph.”
Although some critics pointed out that the role of Jane could be written with more dimension, all noted the exceptional nature of the original book and music, Ryan McBryde’s effective direction, and the exceptional performances of the ensemble cast.
Pieces of String was nominated for a range of awards including the inaugural Musical Theatre Bookwriting Award from the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (another 2018 filmed live musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie was also nominated). The musical won the 2018 Stage Debut Award for Best Composer or Lyricist (Gus Gowland) and the UK Theatre Award for Best Musical Production.
Several publications also included Pieces of String in their Best Theatre of 2018 lists, including Musical Theatre Review, BritishTheatre.com, and The Stage.
Pieces of String was performed at London’s Brasserie Zédel on June 30, 2019, as part of the venue’s Pride Month celebrations.
Filmed Production Notes
Pieces of String was filmed during its run at Mercury Theatre Colchester.
The production was made available on Digital Theatre from September 20, 2019. The musical is available to rent for 48 hours for £7.99 or via a Digital Theatre subscription.
In response to the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, and also to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day on May 8, Mercury Theatre Colchester streamed Pieces of String for 24 hours on Vimeo. The stream was made available for free, and viewers were encouraged to donate to Mercury Theatre. In addition to the stream, the Mercury Theatre Colchester announced local performers would be performing a short set of “beautiful, nostalgic songs,” outside the St Fillan’s Care Home and Hill House Residential Care Home in Colchester, and the release of a video created by members of the Young Company reciting a World War II poem, “The Siren” along with their grandparents.
Pieces of String is currently available to view on Digital Theatre.
Pieces of String was filmed during its run at Mercury Theatre Colchester.
The production was made available on Digital Theatre from September 20, 2019. The musical is available to rent for 48 hours for £7.99 or via a Digital Theatre subscription.
In response to the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, and also to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day on May 8, Mercury Theatre Colchester streamed Pieces of String for 24 hours on Vimeo. The stream was made available for free, and viewers were encouraged to donate to Mercury Theatre. In addition to the stream, the Mercury Theatre Colchester announced local performers would be performing a short set of “beautiful, nostalgic songs,” outside the St Fillan’s Care Home and Hill House Residential Care Home in Colchester, and the release of a video created by members of the Young Company reciting a World War II poem, “The Siren” along with their grandparents.
Pieces of String is currently available to view on Digital Theatre.
Take a listen to episode 43 of the Filmed Live Musicals with composer Gus Gowland to hear about the creation of the show, and how it came to be filmed.
Pieces of String PRODUCTION CREDITS
Opening Date: April 20, 2018
Closing Date: May 5, 2018
Air date: Sept 20, 2019
Medium: internet
Where to watch: Digital Theatre
Theatre: Mercury Theatre Colchester
Producer: Mercury Theatre and The Booking Office
Book, Music, & Lyrics: Gus Gowland
Director: Ryan McBryde
Musical Director & Orchestrations: Paul Herbert
Choreography: Ellen Kane
Scenic & Costume Design: Fin Redshaw
Lighting Design: Ben Cracknell
Sound Design: Chris Bogg
Cast:
Andy Coxon (Ed), Marilyn Cutts (Rose), Ella Dunlop (Gemma), Lauren Hall (Anna), Joel Harper-Jackson (Tom), Craig Mather (Edward), Carol Starks (Jane), Gary Wood (Harry), Nicole Grumann (Young Rose)
Band
Paul Herbert (Piano/Drums), Elizabeth Hanks (Cello), Fraiser Patterson (Flute/Clarinet/Bass Clarinet)
Opening Date: April 20, 2018
Closing Date: May 5, 2018
Air date: Sept 20, 2019
Medium: internet
Where to watch: Digital Theatre
Theatre: Mercury Theatre Colchester
Producer: Mercury Theatre and The Booking Office
Book, Music, & Lyrics: Gus Gowland
Director: Ryan McBryde
Musical Director & Orchestrations: Paul Herbert
Choreography: Ellen Kane
Scenic & Costume Design: Fin Redshaw
Lighting Design: Ben Cracknell
Sound Design: Chris Bogg
Cast:
Andy Coxon (Ed), Marilyn Cutts (Rose), Ella Dunlop (Gemma), Lauren Hall (Anna), Joel Harper-Jackson (Tom), Craig Mather (Edward), Carol Starks (Jane), Gary Wood (Harry), Nicole Grumann (Young Rose)
Band
Paul Herbert (Piano/Drums), Elizabeth Hanks (Cello), Fraiser Patterson (Flute/Clarinet/Bass Clarinet)
Sources
Articles
Websites
- Admin, “Interview: Gus Gowland on sharing his new musical Pieces of String with audiences at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester,” Musical Theatre Review (May 1, 2018)
- Jenna Barton, “Pieces of String,” The Spy in the Stalls (April 27, 2018)
- Paul T. Davis, “REVIEW: Pieces Of String, Mercury Theatre Colchester ✭✭✭✭✭” BritishTheatre.com (April 29, 2018)
- Paul T. Davis, “Critic’s Choice 2018 – Paul T Davies,” BritishTheatre.com (Dec 29, 2018)
- Matthew Hemley, “Original British musical Pieces of String to become available on Digital Theatre,” The Stage (Sept 19, 2018)
- Giverny Masso, “The Stage Debut Awards 2018: the winners in full,” The Stage (Sept 23, 2018)
- Giverny Masso, “2018 UK Theatre Awards: the winners in full,” The Stage (Oct 14, 2018)
- Douglas Mayo, “Mercury Theatre to stream award winning musical Pieces Of String for free,” BritishTheatre.com (May 5, 2020)
- Mark Shenton, “Pieces of String,” The Stage (April 30, 2018)
- Mark Shenton, “Mark Shenton: Exciting new musicals are starting to blossom in regional theatres,” The Stage (May 16, 2018)
- Angela Thomas, “Musical Theatre Review 2018 – Five-Star Show Round-Up,” Musical Theatre Review (Dec 28, 2018)
- Stephen Vowles, “Pieces of String at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester: Press Night review by Stephen Vowles,” Boyz (April 29, 2018)
- Alex Wood, “Mercury Theatre Colchester to stream award-winning musical Pieces of String for free,” Whats On Stage (May 5, 2020)
Websites
- Facebook, “Pieces of String,” Accessed via: https://www.facebook.com/piecesofstringthemusical/
- Gus Gowland, “Pieces of String,” Accessed via: https://www.gusgowland.com/pieces-of-string#!
- Mercury Theatre Colchester, “Pieces of String Online,” Accessed via: https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/pieces-of-string-online/
- Mercury Theatre Colchester, “VE Day 2020 Celebrations,” Accessed via: https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/blog/ve-day-2020-celebrations/
- Perfect Pitch, “Pieces of String,” Accessed via: http://www.perfectpitchmusicals.com/portfolio/pieces-of-string/
- Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, “Writers’ Guild Awards shortlist,” Accessed via: https://writersguild.org.uk/writers-guild-awards-shortlist-2019/
Written by Luisa Lyons (May, 2020)