BWW Interviews: Claire Moore About A SONG CYCLE FOR SOHO

How did you come to be involved in this production?

I was invited to be part of this production by the producer Neil Marcus and jumped at the chanceto perform original songs, support the writers and work with a whole team of brilliant people!

As performer and teacher, you must come across a lot of new writing talent: who are your tips for the top?

I've worked with many very talented people over the years so don't like to pick out any favourites! All the writers whose songs we're performing this week have earned their place in the show so keep your eyes and ears open for more of their work in the future.

London Road has been both critically acclaimed and controversial: what was that experience like, and did you ever have doubts about it?

London Road was a journey into the unknown! We all took the job on trust as we didn't really know what to expect and the whole experience was challenging and rewarding in equal measure. It was a true ensemble - we all started with no knowledge of how to do this verbatim-set-to-music piece and supported one another throughout the whole rehearsal period and the run.

Our main doubts were whether or not we'd actually be able to learn it; we couldn't think about how it would be received so we were all amazed and humbled by the generous response. We recently found out that we are returning with London Road in August - this time at the Olivier - and we're all very excited by this latest development.

You was seen by a prime time audience as the coach on BBC's Over The Rainbow: are you still in touch with any of the Dorothys?

I am very much still in touch with the Dorothys - I also worked on the I'd Do Anything hunt for Nancy show, which is where I met Niamh [Niamh Perry, co-performer in this concert]. I'm absolutely delighted that we're working together.

And rumours abound that Miss Saigon will be returning to London soon: would you like to see it back in the West End or has its time passed?

I didn't know about this rumour, but several people have mentioned it to me recently. I would love to see Miss Saigon back in the West End. I don't believe that its time has passed as sadly the subject of war is still very relevant so the human story will resonate with a great many people. Apart from that, I think it's full of beautiful music and I will be first in line to buy a ticket!

It's hard to think that it's over twenty years since it opened and that back then many of the musicals were totally original and enjoyed great success. The present financial climate has had a huge impact on the survival of some amazing new shows, but I'd like to think that with the new generation of wonderful writing talent we have in this country we might be able to re-establish the success of the 1980s and enjoy creating classics for the future.

A Song Cycle for Soho, running at Soho Theatre from 27 February until 3 March, is a musical song cycle that explores Soho’s rich history. It showcases the work of several British composers and lyricists, both established and emerging, including David McAlmont, Richard Thomas,Douglas Hodge, Christopher Hamilton, Stuart Matthew Price, Dougal Irvine, Susannah Pearse, Tim Sutton, Alexander S Bermangeand Stiles & Drewe.

A Song Cycle for Soho is directed by Simon Greiff, with a book by Andrew Brinded and musical direction from Tony Award winner Sarah Travis.

Cast also includes Michael Cantwell, James Gillan and Niamh Perry.

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