My early life was filled as much with the sounds of jazz as classical music. My parents were both fine pianists and my Dad also had his own jazz band, The Clefs.

Among his record collection my own preference was for big band and swing; Basie, Herman, Goodman and, best of all, Duke Ellington who, along with writing partner Billy Strayhorn, brought jazz into completely new areas of ‘extended composition’ taking inspiration from Shakespeare and Steinbeck, Grieg and Tchaikovsky, the Far East and Africa.

Their witty adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite was the first of a number of forays into the world of jazz for me, and audiences loved the unfamiliar sound of saxophones, trumpets, piano and drum kit in the theatre, whilst costume designs from fashion icon Jasper Conran, with undisguised reference to the golden period of Hollywood musicals, completed the fun.

Manchester Evening News Award 1997
Olivier Award nomination 1998

‘A delicious extravaganza’
THE INDEPENDENT

‘Simply stunning'
THE STAGE