He is the young Scottish composer who has already established a flourishing career in musical theatre writing, penning award-nominated scores that have drawn the attention of international industry experts.
Now Finn Anderson, 27, will take up an exclusive residency at two Manchester theatre venues for a six-month placement beginning in April.
The prestigious Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer placement pairs musical theatre composers with theatre venues across the UK to develop their craft and allow them to work in partnership with established producers and others in the industry.
The renowned Lowry Theatre and Hope Mill Theatre will co-host Mr Anderson during his tenure.
He said: “I feel so privileged to have been selected to work with two of Manchester’s most vibrant venues over the next year on a diverse range of projects and opportunities. It is such an exciting time for new musicals in the UK and both of these venues show a strong commitment to the art form.”
Multi-talented Mr Anderson, who works throughout the UK and internationally as a musical theatre writer, composer and singer-songwriter, will take up the position after returning from a month-long residency in Chicago developing new musical, A Mother's Song, with collaborators at Northwestern University.
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To date, Mr Anderson has co-created four award-nominated musicals as a composer, lyricist and bookwriter. As a singer-songwriter, he released his debut full-length album in 2019, and has collaborated with some of the top names in Scottish folk and jazz music. He has also composed for circus, dance, film and art projects working with leading artists and companies including National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Dance Theatre, British Youth Music Theatre, National Galleries Scotland and the Venice Biennale.
From Dundee and Fife's East Neuk, he studied Popular Music at the University of Highlands and Islands before undertaking a masters in Musical Theatre Writing at Goldsmiths, London.
Mr Anderson created the music and lyrics for the critically-acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe 2018 hit Islander. Part of the Made In Scotland showcase, Islander won Musical Theatre Review’s Best Musical award before a transfer to London’s Southwark Playhouse, where the show was nominated for the Off West End Award for Best New Musical.
Musical theatre talent is thriving in Scotland, James Hadley of the Musical Theatre Network who run the scheme in partnership with Mercury Musical Developments, told The Herald.
"There is a really strong new musical theatre writing landscape in Scotland and a strong community of writers. There's a real sense of organisations and individuals keeping an eye on each other. Finn has always been an advocate of new writing in Scotland and his career is a great example."
Working with The Lowry and Hope Mill Theatre will afford Mr Anderson the opportunity to work on developing new music, community engagement and youth company initiatives and shadow artists and producers on new and established musicals.
It's a golden opportunity for the Glasgow-based composer, who is excited about relocating to Manchester to take up the residency.
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He said: "[I'm looking forward to] getting to know the cultural, theatrical and musical scene in Manchester. Hope Mill Theatre in particular is one of very few venues in the UK dedicated to musical theatre [and both it] and The Lowry really nurtures talent."
And while interest in the industry is strong in Scotland, opportunities are limited.
Mr Anderson said: "There is talent and interest in Scotland but the infrastructure is not there yet and there's lots less money - musicals are generally more expensive and they take longer to write."
Claire Symonds, senior producer at The Lowry, said: “We are excited to be working with Finn Anderson through this new partnership. The Lowry is delighted to come together with Hope Mill Theatre to support a Cameron Macintosh Resident Composer and it demonstrates the spirit of collaboration and innovation that we hold dear in Greater Manchester. With Hope Mill Theatre’s flair for producing and reimagining musicals and our passion for artist development and new British musical theatre, we look forward to offering Finn an extraordinary opportunity to develop.”
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