Two New Musicals this year!
Clive: "As I announced at “The Fire and the Quest” weekend, it is my intention to write and record two musicals this year. This will be a mammoth undertaking, but it’s high time I moved on to new adventures! The first, provisionally entitled “Dark Fables”, will be a modern tale based around music I have written over the last 25 years.
My original concept will be developed by director Ian Baldwin, whose exceptional creative talent will ensure a tantalizing story. This show, for rock band and five singers, will be designed so that we can take it out on tour. In addition to the stage set there will also be interactive video material featuring numerous special guests.
The second show, which will be titled “King’s Ransom”, will be set in the “Alchemy universe”. It will feature Professor King, Eva and William, alongside exciting new characters and a brand new adventure. This story takes place two years after the events of “Alchemy”, and explores the underworld of Victorian London with a big dose of romance, intrigue and adventure. I have already written about half of the musical material and the storyline is complete, which means that most of the characters have been cast and I can already see the makings of a thrilling new show!
It is my intention for the writing of both of these productions to be completed later this year and recording to begin immediately after that. I would like to think that 2017 will witness the release of CDs and DVDs as well as launching new theatrical and concert performances of the shows. Nevertheless, I do intend to preview some of the new material in certain events this year. I’m very excited by the prospect of these new challenges and look forward to working again with all the talented singers, musicians, artists and technicians who will help me bring these stories to life.
As Professor King said… ‘Now there is a promise made!’"
Arena 20th Anniversary DVD Out Soon!
The release date of the long awaited Arena 20th anniversary DVD has been confirmed! The jubilee show, recorded in April 2015 in Poland, will be released in February 2016 by Metal Mind Productions. "We're very excited about this new release as it captures the vibe of the anniversary tour and represents 20 years of Arena", says Clive.
Metal Mind: "Material entitled “XX” was recorded during the Polish leg of „20th Anniversary Tour - The Unquiet Sky”, shortly after the release of their 8th studio masterpiece “The Unquiet Sky”. The band once more graced their Polish fans with an outstanding show, this time at Katowice Kinoteatr Rialto. New release is a veritable feast for all prog-rock fans! More than two hours of darkly sublime beauty, interviews with Clive Nolan and Mick Pointer and more! “XX” is scheduled for a worldwide release on February, 12th 2016 via Metal Mind Productions. Also available as a double-CD release."
More about Arena HERE
Pendragon 'The Masquerade Overture' Tour!
Pendragon has announced the dates for the forthcoming 'Masquerade Overture' 20th anniversary tour. "It's only a little tour, but 'The Masquerade Overture' is 20 years old and we want every show to be a big celebration!", says Nick Barrett. The tour will consist of 12 shows performed in major European cities including Paris, Zoetermeer, London, Katowice and more. The tour will kick off in April with a single concert at the festival in Reichenbach, Germany and will continue throughout May 2016. Additionally, the show at the Wyspianski Theatre in Katowice, Poland will be recorded for DVD by Metal Mind Productions. Tickets for all shows are available now!
Clive: "I really look forward to the tour and taking my place behind the keyboards again. The end of 2015 turned out to be rather difficult and trying due to health problems... and thus the prospect of being back in my 'normal' shoes live on stage seems a particularly joyful one. Hope to see many of you out there and to have a chance to chat and enjoy the tour with you!"
Health Battle Continues
After failure of two emergency retinal detachment surgeries, last Sunday Clive was forced to undergo another eye operation. He is now back home recovering from the most difficult one so far. Hopefully, this is the final stage of the procedure and we will soon see Maestro regain his health and return to his usual musical activities. Fingers crossed and we continue to send messages of support and wishes of swift recovery!
Clive: "It seems that fate is against me! I have been rushed back into hospital for a third emergency operation on the eye! It is clear that I was not free of the problem after all - it's not the disappointment that hurts, it's the hope! My state of mind is currently dwelling somewhere between depression and anger! So, it's back to the prison of the green wrist band and a semi twilight world. I'm sorry I wasted all your wonderful optimism and congratulatory messages, but like it or not I'm back to square one! The adventure/nightmare continues..."
More 'She' Dates Confirmed!
More dates have been set for Clive Nolan's first musical, 'She'. On January 30th 2016 the concert version of 'She' will be performed at the famous Cultuurpodium Boerderij in Zoetermeer, Holland. Subsequently, 'She' in its theatrical version will return to the Cheltenham Playhouse on September 2nd and 3rd. Watch out for further announcements!
Clive: "It is very nice to know that the life span of my musical ‘She’ has exceeded my expectations. With the German show immanent and then a trip to Holland and another production in Cheltenham next year, there is plenty left to do with this show. Each time it is performed, it develops a little more, and I am happy to see how this show has matured over the years. I look forward to the continued ‘future’ of ‘She’.
Poster by Claudio Momberg with photos by Graham Stead, the Queen by Mark Buckingham.
More about 'She' HERE