SING ON THROUGH TOMORROW
Critics predict his name in lights along with musical greats Lerner, Gershwin and Porter. Matthew Robinson is a Sydney composer and performer who you might have seen recently gracing Opera Australia productions The Pirates of Penzance and A Little Night Music. Now in a musical of his own making, he stars alongside Hollie Andrews (The Sapphires), Kate Maree Hoolihan (We Will Rock You) and Shaun Rennie (Cats). Robinson takes a break to tell us more…
Where did the inspiration for this production come from? Much like the ‘Best Of’ albums of our favourite bands and singers, I’ve been writing for musical theatre for ten years and it was time to package the most celebrated of those songs into one theatrical piece. Sing On Through Tomorrow tells the story of four people on the brink of their ‘next stage’ in life and at the same time provides an easily producible show that will help my music travel nationally and around the world.
What do the protagonists discover in the past? That would be giving it away! It’s safe to say a retracing of their teens and early twenties reveals some personality traits that simply don’t work anymore.
What’s your favourite ever musical? I take something from everything I see or hear. When I was ten it was Les Miserables. Now it’s more so the intricacies of Sondheim that make me ‘wish I’d written that song.’
Where do you like to write? Always at a keyboard or piano. The lyrics come out at the same time as the tune, so it’s pretty essential.
What’s your thoughts on the musical scene in Sydney at the moment? I tend to look at it nationally, then globally. Even ten years ago, I could only name one or two Australian musical theatre composers or composer/lyricist teams. Now I’m using two hands! The scene is ever-expanding and receiving more attention.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in your career? The gap between small readings with friends and actual productions. Producers like Neil Gooding (Sing On Through Tomorrow) and Torben and Richelle Brookman, Power Arts and State Theatre Company of South Australia (my first musical Metro Street) are committed, brave and to be applauded, loudly.
Aug 4-14, Sidetrack Theatre, 142 Addison Rd Marrickville, $28-35, 9550 3666, singonthroughtomorrow.com.au
