Over the last few months everyone has heard about The In-Between after the hugely popular concept album was released and some of the songs were performed at West End Live. West End Frame talked to the composer and lyricist of the show, Laura Tisdall, about writing the musical, the upcoming Union Theatre concert and if we will be able to see the show on stage any time soon...
The In-Between Concept Album has been such a massive success – has it sunk in yet?
Not really! The response has been incredible and there are moments when it hits me and I just go wow, but I think because I’ve been working on this pretty much solidly since February (and on the show and album from a long time before that) it’s very hard to separate myself from it enough to be really objective. I think until we get backing (and probably even if we do) I’ll always be focused on how I can try and improve the show and what I’m doing with it, which means I’m not very good at stopping to think about what has gone well!
When you started writing The In-Between did you plan to release a concept album or did this idea come later?
When you started writing The In-Between did you plan to release a concept album or did this idea come later?
No. I think I initially had a certain naivety about the difficulty of getting a new show staged. Also, when I started writing it, it because I just wanted to write it, almost regardless of if I got it put on. After I’d finished the show, there was a bit of a reality check in that when I stopped focusing on writing, I didn’t really know what to do as a practical next step. Being a new writer with a new musical, particularly one that wasn’t based on a pre-existing story, I felt a bit like if it was ever going to get staged I had to try and prove in advance that there could be an audience for it. So I decided to try and record an album to see if people liked the music and the concept.
How long did it take you to write The In-Between?
How long did it take you to write The In-Between?
About two years, although I’d had the idea going round in my head for a long time before I actually started writing it. I was finishing my degree as I was writing it so it wasn’t a solid two years’ work as there wasn’t always a lot of spare time.
Flick and Alice come across as very strong characters, can you see any of yourself in them?
Yes, Flick’s very sarcastic and so am I, although she generally just says what she thinks without any kind of filter! I’ve thankfully not experienced the same tragedy as she has but I have been through some pretty tough times and lots of the things she says and the way she feels in response are drawn from my own experiences. Most of her lines came very naturally because, even though there are big differences between us, I really felt I understood her character. There are a few similarities with Alice too; she alphabetises things, I alphabetise things!
How did it feel to see some of your songs performed in front of big crowds at West End Live recently?
It was absolutely surreal! I was really nervous that something would go wrong with the backing tracks, even though I’d checked them more times than was rational, but it all went really well and Lauren Samuels, Scott Garnham and Hannah Jane Fox were fantastic! They were also really lovely to work with in rehearsal so the whole experience was great. To see those songs performed live on that stage was an absolute dream come true. Amazing!
People will have another chance to see some of the music from The In-Between performed live at the Union Theatre on Sunday 12th August 2012, tell us more!
It’s a concert of new writing organised by Mark Petty, of Anderson & Petty, and will include music by them as well as Christopher J Orton (who wrote My Land’s Shore) and myself. It’s lovely to be doing a joint concert with other writers!
Who will be performing?
The In-Between set is being performed by Sophie Evans, Chloe Hart, Ceili O’Connor, Georgie Ashford, Edd Post and Nadine Cox. I’m so excited to work with them all!
Are we getting any closer to being able to see The In-Between on stage?
The success of the album and all the support we’ve received is certainly getting us closer, but these things do take time, especially if you want to do them well! A full production is still my goal for the show and I’m still working hard to get us there.
Finally, what would you like to say to all the people who have supported you and The In-Between over the last few months?
A MASSIVE THANK YOU!!! As I said before, I’m a new writer and this is a completely new musical with no commercial backing; without your support, a stage show simply would not happen, with it, it just might…!
The In-Between concept album is available to buy from www.dresscircle.co.uk or can be bought on iTunes
The music can be heard online at www.theinbetweenmusical.com
Like The In-Between on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theinbetweemusical
Follow The In-Between on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TIB_Musical
Click Here to find out more and to book tickets for the upcoming 'The Songwriters Union' concert at the Union Theatre
Click Here to read our recent review of The In-Between Concept Album
To read more West End Frame Interviews click here
Laura is amazing! Hope we can see the in between on stage soon!
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