‘Platform Nine’ by Dennis Westgate
Each week, we select a play to feature as our ‘Play of the Week’. Not only do we profile it with an interview with the playwright themselves, but we also offer a temporary download of the play — absolutely FREE. This week we meet full-time musical theatre writer, Dennis Westgate as he explains how he creates original musicals for all the family, whilst keeping the costs down for the producing theatres.
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Since retiring, I’ve pursued my ambition to write for musical theatre. To date I have completed 9 full length original musical plays, all including the Story, Libretto, Music and Lyrics. The plays have been produced by Yorkshire based theatre groups ‘York Rising Stars’ and ‘We Are Theatre’ with productions atthe Joseph Rowntree Theatre, and The Spa Theatre Bridlington. My work covers a wide range of subjects from Fantasy, Adventure, Science Fiction, Dramatic Works and Song & Dance. Many of the songs can be lifted from the shows and performed separately.
What is ‘Platform Nine’ about?
Platform Nine is a nostalgic musical journey through the mid-50s, before steam was superseded by diesel. All of the action takes place on a main line station platform over the course of one day as we follow the station workers going about their everyday occupations. The music (all original) is in a 50s mood with a modern feel, covering a wide spectrum of styles from ballads through blues, rock ’n’ roll, to song and dance numbers. It has one static set (easy to build) so it could be performed on any size stage and along with imaginative sound and lighting to reflect the times. It is ideally suited for any college or dramatic society willing to take on a brand new project.
What inspired you to write the play?
Although I write purely as a hobby, my business instinct is always to bear in mind that any show needs to return a profit for the company or society! Consequently I look at it from a family audience viewpoint and ask myself
1. Will the dialogue hold the attention of the young, the parent and the grand-parent?
2. Are the characters memorable?
3. Are the songs melodic and memorable.
4. How many sets are there and can they be made on a modest outlay.
5. Can the music be arranged easily performed and arranged?
6. Are there enough character speaking parts to give as many actors as possible the opportunity to show their versatility.
What is your creative process?
How one goes about writing a musical or play? It only comes with many hours of practice and reams of paper. Writing dialogue or lyrics can be exhausting work so I just decide on a subject or think of a situation. I visualise the character, and take a mental journey imagining the character talking (or singing the song) and write pages of whatever comes to mind until there’s enough material to prune back into several good lines. Writing the music takes a different technique. I imagine each song as a painting and the colours I use from the paint palette are the chords. My ultimate maxim is; Can you sing it, dance it or hum it? If you can’t “it ain’t a musical it’s an opera!” It works for me, but everyone has their own technique.
What advice do you have for new writers?
Writing an original story, or coming up with an original idea for a show can be a daunting task but if it comes out right then there’s a great deal of satisfaction to be enjoyed. O.K. so it may not be a classic but as long as the audience approves, then ‘So What!’
Why do you think theatre is important?
I can think of no better medium for bringing so many varied talents together in one cause. Theatre isn’t just about the actors, they’re supported by an army (of mostly volunteers) who gladly give their time and expertise in many fields such as, Scenic Design, Make-up and Costume. Along with the Carpenters, Sound & Light Technicians and Front of House Staff. When it comes to producing a musical there’s an added requisite in finding enough musicians. Everyone pulling together to make the show a success. That’s what is meant by ‘Community Theatre’. How else can theatre exist? Where else can budding playwrights get their work performed?
‘THE LITTLE MERMAID’ has been booked into the Joseph Rowntree Theatre for June 2016 and Dennis has completed the final song in January in good time for rehearsals in March. Break a leg everyone!
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