Interview: Jordan Paul Clarke on co-creating new musical ANGRY SALMON for BYMT
Inspired by true stories from our oceans, funny and imaginative new musical Angry Salmon is 'The Little Mermaid' meets 'Seaspiracy’ - bubbling with humour, big characters and adventurous songs, telling an important story about taking care of ourselves and our planet. We spoke to co-creator, composer and musical director Jordan Paul Clarke about the upcoming production.
Where did the idea for Angry Salmon come from?
Funny you should ask. I was on the London underground and randomly reading an article about salmon escaping from salmon farms across the globe. It went on to describe the troubles they encounter once they’ve escaped; not being able to migrate properly, find food, or even reconnect with their own species in the wild because of the way they’d been affected in captivity. I thought “well THAT sounds like a musical”. I’m always in love with the worlds of puppetry, Pixar and quirky animations like The Mitchells VS The Machines, or Arlo the Alligator Boy (highly recommend) so for quite some time, I've wanted to create a stage musical that lived in a similar, fantastical animal world. Later that day, I had a draft of a story about a family of salmon leading a mass escape out of a salmon farm, and initiating an uprising against the humans running the out-of-hand corporate fishing industry. It was madness, and absolutely something I wanted to make.
What has the writing process for Angry Salmon been like? How long has this musical been in the works?
Hmm… it’s been a bit of a crazy ocean blur, but it’s been a chaotic and wonderful process so far! It all started in January when I began as the resident composer at BYMT and I was asked to pitch all my ideas for possible new musicals. Angry Salmon seemed the perfect idea fit for a large young cast with environmental themes so I started developing the show further! I spent most of my energy on deciding how the story would play out and what characters would fill the wacky, colourful world of the show. Then Ali (James, the director and co-writer) and I then spent a while tearing the story apart and building the best world we could before I started really piecing together the fabric of the musical. It’s all about telling a good story, and with the musical being completely original, we wanted to be sure the story was as truthful, entertaining and unique as we could before diving in deeper. The story took a lot of time (sitting with the characters and the universe of the show) and the songs have all been created in the last few weeks!
How does the experience of co-writing a musical differ from writing a show as an individual?
I love collaboration SO much. I’m sure we all see it as the heart of musical theatre; every department coming together to tell the same story. When it comes to the writing, I’ve always created work with others, even if I’m creating the music and the lyrics for a show. I know there are people out there that write the music, lyrics and book of a show all on their own but for me, that defeats one of the things I love most about writing a musical! With Angry Salmon, I’ve had the total privilege of working with Ali, who is a long time friend and collaborator, and it’s been a blast (and a helluva lotta laughs) at every step. There’s no better gift than having someone to bounce off of and to be inspired by, and I’m so grateful to have had that with Ali on this show.
How exciting is it to have your new musical being performed by young new talent?
SO. FREAKIN’. EXCITING. There’s nothing like getting a new story and a new score up on its feet, and to work on this show with a huge group of phenomenal young actors is a privilege in every way. We’re part way through rehearsals now, and they’ve been inspiring, exhilarating and creative every single moment of every day. We all know a new musical needs a lot of love and time, and having a cast of young, eager performers working on it at the first stage means we can really get to the heart of the show, and create the most moving and funny theatre experience for both the cast and audiences. It’s an amazing thing to work with the cast at this stage of their lives, when they are so full of ideas and so ready for the challenges Angry Salmon has thrown their way; they’re bound for awesome things in their futures and we’re lucky to be working with them in our theatre company for this show! I’ve also had the chance to work with a fantastic chamber orchestra of young musicians from all across the UK, who have excelled in their role as newfound pit-musicians. It’s rare you get to write a new musical and do it with a full band in such a short time, and it’s an epic and special experience playing this new music with the next generation of the West End’s pit-band-players.
What role do you think BYMT plays in the UK theatre scene? How did you first come across them and how did it come about that they're performing your new musical?
I have known about BYMT for years because when I was a teenager (and I was squirreling away writing musicals as much as I could), I found out they ran courses for young writers and performers. It’s only now as an adult that I’m finally connected with the company, and it’s absolutely rocked. I feel very lucky to be with BYMT as the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer - an annual residency awarded to a musical theatre writer with a different theatre institution each year. It feels like fate that I’ve been offered the chance to work with BYMT - the values of the company resonate with me and the emphasis on new writing is a massive priority for the company. BYMT exclusively develops new musicals every year (sometimes up to nine new musicals across the country within six months!!) with casts of young performers that audition throughout the UK all year round. They are generating new ideas with young talent on a mass scale, and it goes without saying that they provide an indispensable opportunity to so many young artists to discover themselves, experiment with their creativity, learn about the professional world of musical theatre, and develop their interpersonal and theatrical skills. Being the resident composer, BYMT are producing Angry Salmon as a full, original musical which gives me the chance to work in depth with the company and their young performers, and develop my own writing - particularly taking some creative risks where I might not otherwise have been able to (a vital and rare necessity for new work).
What can audiences expect from Angry Salmon and why should they come and see the show?
Angry Salmon is a bold, moving, and funny show about families who don’t see fin to fin, and embracing change rather than accepting things the way they are “just ‘coz that’s how it’s always been”. It’s a showcase for 36 incredible actors, with a huge variety of skills, talents and show-stopping funny-bones. It’s an original musical with brand new songs and a story that will make you laugh and break your heart. It’s unlike anything else you’ll see on stage this summer, and it’s a show that the whole family will enjoy. You can expect massive loveable characters, epic hummable tunes, and an even bigger warm hug at the heart of the show.
Angry Salmon plays at Theatre Royal Plymouth on 20 & 21 August, with tickets available here.
