A second song and video is released from new upcoming British musical Soho Dreams, Child is a moving autobiographical ballad, performed by Jessica Pardoe as lead character, Samantha Serraillier.
The song reflects the dilemma Samantha faces as she dreams of a potential escape from a changing Soho in 1980s London but it’s an escape which could break her strong links and dominance in a place where you can be anyone or anything at anytime!
Mark Russell, the Ivor Novello, and BAFTA nominated composer of Soho Dreams describes the song as “heart wrenching but delicate in its paired-back arrangement, which adds to the melancholy and agony within Samantha’s deep soul.”
He said: “It’s a number which has resonated with audiences during the show’s development phase and in workshops at The Other Palace.”
Mark who has penned 16 original numbers for the show describes Soho Dreams as “full of energy, comedy and then real moments where audiences just hold their breath and watch the rollercoaster of emotions flow from the array of characters who occupy the stage”. Russell has composed for
productions across ITV, BBC, NBC, HBO and for streamers worldwide as well as film productions in Hollywood.
Based in The Night Owls, an illicit drinking den on Greek Street, Soho Dreams slowly reveals what happens when Michael Peters from Irlam in Salford enters a world he doesn’t understand and finds himself caught up in a mix of cops, robbers, and occasionally robbing cops!
Soho Dreams has lyrics and a book by Rob McLoughlin (www.robmcloughlin.com) an award-winning journalist and broadcaster who began his career on stage before he joined Radio City in his native Liverpool and later Granada Television in Manchester where he became a lead presenter and later, board director.
Work began on the production in 2015 and an audio version was created just after lockdown with graduates from the Scottish Conservatoire in Glasgow which included Harry Mills (Dr Dillamond in ‘Wicked’) and later workshopped in Islington with performers including Talia Palamathanan (Pritti Pasha in ‘Everyone’s Talking About Jamie’ tour’) and was directed by Rosie Parker with Ryan Mackenzie as Musical Director.
A six song EP (including ‘Child’ and ‘This Is My Life’ which was released at the end of January) will be available for streaming and downloads at the end of February 2024 and is released by Bucks Records part of the Bucks Music publishing group (www.bucksmusicgroup.com).
The new EP will include performances from Daniel Bravo currently starring in ‘Cruel Intentions’ at The Other Palace in London as well as Lee Turner, Jessica Pardoe, and Barry Keenan.
Producers are in discussions about venues for a full stage production of Soho Dreams.
