Sundays, 9am
Australian-born, former Mount Scopus boy, Warren Wills has been based in London for 35 years, where he has worked tirelessly as a pianist, composer, music director, arranger, educationalist, working in both commercial and community theatre. He is a multi award winning talent and highlights in London include:
▪ founder and creator of Haringey Shed received the UK’s most prestigious awards – Philip Lawrence Award and Community Heroes, December 2009. This is a socially inclusive music theatre group for disadvantaged and disabled youth.
▪ Winner, Best Musical: Carling London Award 1992 for Pin-Money Opera, which he co-wrote with Christina Jones. This was one of seven operas that he and Christina created and presented with Babel Theatre company in the ’90s in London.
▪ Runner-up, Critics Circle Award: 1993 for Josephine. The musical celebrating the life of Josephine Baker.
▪ Twice finalist for the Vivian Ellis Award for Moscow Belongs to Me and House of Obsession, as put forward by Sir Tim Rice.
▪ Musical director/arranger of Soul Train: nominated for Olivier Award for Best Entertainment
▪ Composer of the Critics Choice piece Card Index: written by Taduesz Rozevic, at the BAC .
▪ Warren has a worldwide record deal with Prestige with his releases, and currently has 25 albums out worldwide.
▪ Composed and plays keys on the album Lost and Found with Sharon D Clarke, who this year won the Olivier Award for best actress in a musical for Caroline or Change.
▪ Composer of Great Expectations in UK/Philadelphia co-production, directed by Mark Clements.
He has also composed with and for Woody Allen, Royal Shakespeare Company, Margaret Atwood, Pamela Anderson, Sheila Ferguson, the Drifters and many others.
London Beat is a weekly arts show looking at the music, theatre and arts scene in the world with a slant on London. Lots of lively interviews with the shakers and movers from the pulse of Shaftesbury Avenue.
