Dylan Townley named as Recipient of Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer 2023
The recipient of the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer 2023 placement has been announced.
Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network run the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer scheme, which is made possible by funding from The Mackintosh Foundation.
Through the scheme, musical theatre composers are paired with a producing organisation for six months and given the opportunity to develop their own new work, shadow other composers, compose for new productions and gain inside knowledge into the workings of a producing theatre. The theatre benefits from embedding the art form into its activities, close collaboration with a composer and additional expertise in its team.
Dylan Townley has been named as the next Cameron Mackintosh Resident Musical Theatre Composer, on placement at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton commencing in October 2023.
Dylan Townley said: “I am delighted to have been chosen as the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer. The chance to play an ongoing role in a busy producing theatre is a dream job for a composer, and a rare opportunity in our industry. The Bolton Octagon is a special place to develop new work, be inspired by brilliant colleagues, and contribute to the theatre’s outstanding programme of shows and community life. Thank you to Mercury Musical Developments, Musical Theatre Network and the Mackintosh Foundation for their vital support of new writing and musical theatre.”
Dylan Townley is a composer and lyricist, music director and pianist. His credits include the multi-award-winning How To Win Against History (Young Vic, UK Tour) and Milky Peaks (Theatr Clwyd, Wales Tour), both by Seiriol Davies and company.
Upcoming work includes Miss Wales (working title), a new musical about the complex life of beauty queen Rosemarie Frankland, commissioned by Theatr Clwyd and co-created with Francesca Goodridge, Daniel Lloyd and Emma Reeves.
The Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer scheme, which began in 2011, has now awarded 18 paid placements and is a key career development opportunity for composers of musical theatre. Recent placement hosts have included the Royal Shakespeare Company, Theatr Clywd, Dundee Rep, British Youth Music Theatre, Hope Mill Theatre and The Lowry.
