Learn To Fly is is sung by an 18 year old girl to her younger cousin as they both travel across the sea to start a new life. She is escaping her overbearing father, whilst he is going to be meeting his mother for the first time. Both are afraid about the future, but she takes it upon herself to try to comfort him despite her own anxieties. She encourages him to hope, dream and to believe in something brighter than what they've known before - even though she finds it hard to do the same. 
I wanted the music to express the simplicity and energy of a child's hope, whilst also letting the listener see past her words of comfort into her own emotional turmoil. I also wanted to capture the travel and motion of a ship at sea.

Lead vocals - Alice Fearn (Wicked, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Shrek,)
Backing vocals - Aaron Lee Lambert (Urinetown, Shrek), Emma Barry (NYMT) and Ben Mabberly (NYMT)
Strings - Cam Millar and Katie Butler
Clarinet - Beth Allen
Piano & Percussion - Nick Barstow

Learn To Fly

So, You See is based on the Erin Brockovich story, and the PG&E water scandal. In this song, a mother learns from Erin that the water in Hinckley is poisoned - despite knowing it all along, she still tries and tries to feign disbelief, not wanting the life she has built to shatter.

Performed by Alex Young
Accompanied by Nick Barstow
Recorded at Umbrella Rooms, London by Ben Robbins
Music and Lyrics by Nick Barstow

So, You See

Elizabeth's Song was written as part of the short musical drama 'Tobias Bentley's World Tour', performed at the St James Studio London in December 2015. Written, rehearsed and performed in 72 hours, it tells the story of Tobias, a worldly not-so-wise Cellist on an underwhelming world tour, and Elizabeth, his long suffering stuck-at-home secretary. Elizabeth has just been on the receiving end of another 3am phone call, this time from Nepal, in which Tobias complains loudly about everything from the food to the people to the goats.

Performed by Rachel Knowles
Accompanied by Nick Barstow
Recorded at Umbrella Rooms, London by Ben Robbins
Music by Nick Barstow, Lyrics by Sophia Chapadjiev

Elizabeth's Song

Written for Antic Dispositions 2016 production of Comedy of Errors set on the French Riviera in the 20s, this opening sequence introduces the audience to the house band fronted by the Courtesan (here a Monroe-esque jazz singer), and segues into the slapstick chase scene of Egeon pursued by Solinus and his 'mafia'.
Includes sections of original music and an arrangement of the Rudy Vallée classic 'Baby Oh Where Can You Be'

Performed by Devika Joshi
Produced by Joe Davis at Auburn Jam
Written by Nick Barstow
'Baby Oh Where Can You Be' written by Rudy Vallée arranged Nick Barstow

Comedy Of Errors (Opening Sequence)

Just in case Ed Sheeran is ever cast as Feste in Twelfth Night at The Globe. It's important to think about these things and plan ahead. And why shouldn't he be? We all saw him in Game of Thrones, if Orsino was alive today he'd definitely have Ed Sheeran as his on-tap music man.

Performed by Nick Barstow
Guitar by Jonathan Kirwan, Percussion by Naomi Morris
Recorded at Umbrella Rooms, London by Ben Robbins
Music by Nick Barstow, Lyrics by William Shakespeare

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Come Away, Death

Composer & Musical Director based in London
Co-founder and Musical Director of AfterParty A Cappella

Nick Barstow

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