London Grilling: Tim Gilvin, Composer & Lyricist, Cable Street
Ahead of the premiere of his latest musical Cable Street, at Southwark Playhouse, we spoke to award-winning composer Tim Gilvin.
Celebrated for his exceptional contributions to theatre, Tim has woven captivating scores for productions like Help! We Are Still Alive and Unfortunate: the Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch.
In his London Grilling, we find out about his work, his inspirations and the making of Cable Street.
Hi Tim, can you share a bit about the main characters and how their stories unfold on Cable Street?
Our three main characters all feel like outsiders. Mairead and Sammy are second generation immigrants from Irish and Jewish communities, whereas Ron is British, but new to the city and struggling to find work and a community. The story is about how they navigate the turbulence of a time of social and political revolution, and discover that there is more that unites them than separates them.
What drew you to tell the story of The Battle of Cable Street in a musical?
East London in 1936, as today, is a melting pot of cultures and influences, which was a really exciting challenge to put to music. I first had the idea in around 2016, when once again politicians were sowing seeds of division in our communities for the sake of political gain, and the story is as timely as ever.
Collaborating with playwright Alex Kanefsky, how did you balance history and modern storytelling?
The modern storytelling element is familiar ground in musicals today, shows like SIX, Hamilton, Sylvia have all broken that ground already. Alex is a great collaborator and has a passion for historical research, so it was a good match!
What were some challenges and highlights in bringing Cable Street to life?
The size and scope of the story is enormous. There were 200,000 people on the streets that day, and it would be impossible to tell every single story. Choosing which elements of the story to include was a challenge! A highlight has been using an eclectic mix of genres, from Music Hall to Drum and Bass.
How do you think the music in Cable Street connects with people, even those less familiar with musicals?
This show draws a lot of influence from outside of musical theatre, whilst paying homage to the shows that have gone before, so hopefully there is something for everyone.
Did you find any surprising or lesser-known aspects of Cable Street's history during your research?
Our story doesn't finish with the battle - one of the sad and lesser known facts is that Fascist membership and antisemitic violence increased in the weeks after the battle, so we wanted to make sure we didn't finish the story too early.
What can audiences look forward to in your future projects? Any themes or stories you're excited to explore?
Alex and I have begun working on another large-scale show set in New York in the 1800s, featuring a large string ensemble, a theremin, and a dream ballet sequence. We'd love to be able to bring it to life!
What's your favourite way to wind down in the city?
I love going to old pubs and finding quiet spots to sit away from the rush. Upstairs at the Chandos on a weekday evening is perfect.
Book your tickets now for a musical experience that captures the essence of a pivotal moment in London’s history.
The Large, Southwark Playhouse Borough, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6BD
BOX OFFICE: 020 7407 0234 - boxoffice@southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2024 - £10 Pioneer Preview – all seats £10.
SATURDAY 17 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY – all seats £16 during previews
MONDAY 26 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 16 MARCH - £35 standard / £28 concessions
Evening show: 7:30pm
Matinees: Tuesday and Saturdays at 3pm.
Suggested age 13+
