Colin Chaston : Producer, Director, Book, Music, Lyrics. Colin trained as a singer with David Bourdon (Royal Opera) and Joy Hyman (Mountview Theatre School) and has appeared in many operas and musicals including Figaro, The Marriage Of Figaro and Zuniga, Carmen. He is most happy when creating. In 1990 he began writing the Musical Tarot which enjoyed three productions, 1992 Thameside Theatre Grays, 1997 Benfleet Operatic Society, 2000 New Empire Theatre Southend. In 1997 the show’s finale was performed by a thousand voice choir at a Royal Gala Concert in London’s Royal Albert Hall. He began writing That’s Showbiz in 2002 and 2004 saw it workshopped at the London fringe theatre, Upstairs At the Gatehouse in Highgate, under the title Czarinas. The new production at the Eastwood Studio Theatre is a result of collaboration with his friend Tony Clout. Colin wishes to acknowledge Tony’s huge contribution to the music, the script and every part of the production. Colin and Tony have set up the company Janski productions Ltd to create new shows, write new songs and record emerging new artists on their Janski record label. |
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| Tony Clout, Producer, Music, Script Associate, Music Arrangements, Set design and construction. Tony has been a professional musician and self-taught arranger since 1970 having gained previous experience from 1960 in pop bands including The Transatlantics who broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on shows like Easy Beat, Saturday Club and The Joe Loss Pop Show. It was having an interest in Jazz and Light Music and working with the big bands of Johnny Howard, Joe Loss and Ray McVay on the BBC and the Mecca Ballroom Circuit that triggered his interest in becoming an arranger. In 1975 Tony was invited to join the Ray McVay Orchestra which was a special time, giving him valuable professional experience in playing, arranging, TV work, recording and cabaret backing, working with many famous stars and generally getting a taste of life on the road. In 1978, whilst in Ray’s Orchestra, Tony was thrilled to play at Prince Charles’s 30th birthday party at Buckingham Palace. In 1983 Tony was invited to be Musical Director for Bob Wheatley at The Circus Tavern at Purfleet and Caesar’s Palace at Dunstable, this gave him further valuable experience in arranging and cabaret backing. It was during this time that Tony began a long association with Tommy Cooper and Chas & Dave who often visited the clubs. In 1985 Tony toured the country with the Michael Barrymore Show during the summer recess from the Circus Tavern. After leaving the Tavern in 1993 he concentrated on arranging work mainly for Bill Kenwright West End Shows and was arranger on many BBC Radio 2 shows for producer Sonia Beldom, gaining experience working with large orchestras. In September 1998 Tony appeared on the Gene Pitney Show at The Palladium singing and playing bass with a Four Freshmen tribute called Fresh Aire. Tony is now well known in Shadows circles with a website dealing with guitar tablature for amateur guitarists (www.tabman.co.uk). Tony has known Colin Chaston for some years and they’ve recently formed their production company (Janski Productions Ltd.) to write and produce musicals for the theatre. |
