We’re celebrating the exceptional new musical The Circle, co-created and scripted by one of UCW’s very own lecturers, Eloise Hodder! In 2023, this exciting new musical was praised by many, winning twenty-six awards! This included the incredibly prestigious Stiles and Drewe Best New Song Prize for Drown Without Water, the eleven o’clock number from the show.
On the back of this success, Claude-Michel Schonberg, composer of Les Miserables, and Miss Saigon, offered a masterclass for the co-writers of The Circle, helping to improve the musical even further under his guidance! Mercury Musical Developments, in conjunction with the Stiles and Drewe Best New Song Prize facilitated this masterclass at the Old Diorama Studios and provided the funding.
With this new development under the creative team’s belt, they are ready to perform another workshop of The Circle on July 5th at 7:30pm with a cast of West End stars. The workshop has proved popular, with tickets already sold out!
UCW has been a key part of The Circle’s development. Eloise, the bookwriter and Rachel Primary Songwriter for the show work permanently or as a guest lecturer for UCW, meaning that they can weave their industry experience into their teaching! UCW staff and alumni are also involved in the workshop, both in the performance company and at The Front Room Theatre, where the workshop is taking place. One of those supporting the show at the venue is UCW alumni Jordan who we recently highlighted! Current student Jess is also part of the show.
The exciting news for The Circle continues, with Eloise and Rachel being invited to feature on the Elaine Paige on Sunday show on BBC Radio 2. This is when Drown Without Water, from The Circle will receive its first national radio play on Sunday 30th June. This is an exciting opportunity for the show to gain even more national recognition! News of The Circle’s exciting workshop has also been shared in Broadway World and West End Best Friend.
To find out more about The Circle, you can visit their brand-new website!
To learn more about Performing and Production Arts at UCW, click here!
