Helen of Troy Musical
Since April 2003, Brian Johnson, who says "I love musical theatre, especially the classic stuff, like Rodgers and Hammerstein", has been working on a musical version of Helen of Troy with Sarasota Ballet choreographer, Robert de Warren. The musical is a Les Misérables-style musical with rousing anthems, tender ballads and minimal dialogue. He conceived the project with writers Ian La Frenais, Dick Clement and Brendan Healy after seeing Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Cats and being underwhelmed at what he saw.
Malcolm McDowell, who made his recording debut singing one of the songs for the soundtrack in Brian's studio, has agreed to play Zeus. The Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan and Bruce Vilanch are also set to participate.
In 2004 Johnson travelled to Greece to film an episode of the television series Goddess Odyssey in which he researched the Helen of Troy myth. It was released on DVD in July 2005 and contains music from the theatre production.
Read more about this topic: Brian Johnson
Famous quotes containing the words helen, troy and/or musical:
“Excuse me while I slip into something more comfortable.”
—H. Behn, screenwriter, H. Eastabrook, screenwriter, and J.M. March, screenwriter. Howard Hughes, J. Whale, M. Nielan, and L. Reed. Helen (Jean Harlow)
“The soldier takes pride in saluting his Captain,
The devotee proffers a knee to his Lord,
Some back a mare thrown from a thoroughbred,
Troy backed its Helen, Troy died and adored;
Great nations blossom above,
A slave bows down to a slave.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
“That vast moth-eaten musical brocade
Created to pretend we never die ...”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)