A BRASS BAND MUSICAL BY

MICHAEL BRAND & IAN CHIPPENDALE

CD Cast

(with notes by ian chip)

Michael and I are both big fans of Peter and were delighted when he accepted the part of Easton, the protagonist of our story. Peter is probably best known for his television work as Chris Theodopoulopoudos (Pauline Quirke's husband) in Birds of a Feather and Michelle Collins' old flame in the first series of Sunburn but he has also worked extensively in musical theatre. He played John in the original cast of Miss Saigon and I think his incredibly moving performance of "Bui Doi" at the opening of the second act was the highlight of the show. He was also in the original cast of Les Miserables and has played the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. Recent work includes a wonderfully funny performance as Ali Hakim in the acclaimed Royal National Theatre production of Oklahoma, Ray Cohn in Angels in America (Library Theatre Manchester), Bolongna in Dick Whittington - London's Musical at Sadler's Wells directed by Gillian Lynne, Doctor Craven in the RSC's musical version of The Secret Garden at the Aldwych Theatre, Cats at the New London Theatre, Arturo Ui at the Bridewell Theatre and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium.

Ruth Easton Jane Milligan

Ruth was probably the hardest part to cast. We wanted a voice that was pure without sounding operatic or "posh" (Ruth is, after all, one of the downtrodden poor). It was Scott Fleming (see Crass below) who suggested Jane. They were touring together in From a Jack to a King at the time. When Jane first sang "Wedded Bliss", we knew we had found our perfect Ruth. Thanks Scott! Jane appeared in Little Shop of Horrors and Pump Boys and Dinettes at the Haymarket Theatre Basingstoke and 3 Steps to Heaven at the Palace Theatre Watford. Jane has had roles in four consecutive productions at the Hornchurch Theatre, Essex - Dracula, Cinderella ,The Importance of Being Earnest and What The Butler Saw and toured the UK extensively in Return to The Forbidden Planet She also appears in the film of Puckoon based on her father Spike's novel of the same name. And she managed to find time in her busy schedule to do some demo recordings for my latest project, Murder In Mind, which I'm writing with composer Matthew Linley.

Mary Linden Stephanie Lawrence

We were deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Stephanie's death on 4 November 2000. May she rest in peace.

It had been a personal thrill for me to have Stephanie on the CD. I had been a huge fan since seeing her in Marilyn!

When Stephanie sang Time's No Longer On Your Side for us in the studio, it brought tears to my eyes. And now I know it always will.

Joseph Hunter Carl Wayne

We were sad to hear of the death of Carl Wayne on 31^st August 2004. Carl had been our staunchest supporter and ally. In fact Carl had been with the project longer than I had as he took part in some early demos Michael made when he was still working on his own.

Carl had a long and varied career in all aspects of showbusiness and enjoyed great success as the narrator in Blood Brothers in which he starred opposite Stephanie Lawrence. He was a true professional and also a great character who was always fun to work with. He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him.

Bob Crass Scott Fleming

We first met Scott when he was a student at Mountview Theatre School and he took part in some of our early demos for In The Red and Faust plc (another show Michael and I have been working on). We were very impressed with his talent and professionalism and were happy to have him on board the album. His theatre credits include Buddy (Strand Theatre) From a Jack to a King (UK tour) My Generation (New Vic, Stoke) Blue Hour/City Sketches and Floyd Collins (both at the Bridewell). He has been concentrating on television work recently, including appearances on London’s Burning and The Bill but we were delighted to lure him back to musical theatre to play Easton in the concert version of In The Red in Cardiff.

Bert White Will Adams

Bert, the young apprentice, albeit a minor role, was another one we found difficult to cast. We wanted somebody who sounded young but not precocious. We had all the other vocals and had started mixing the album when Carl turned up at the studio one day with Will and suddenly our problem was solved. He learnt and recorded Oompah Band incredibly quickly and we're delighted with the result.

Landlord Phil Nicholl

Phil is one of the country's leading session singers and an old friend of Michael's. He was also in the group Katrina and the Waves when they won the Eurovision Song Contest for the UK in 1997.

with the

Williams Fairey Band

15 times British Open Champions and 7 times winners of the National Champion Band of Great Britain

conducted by Geoffrey Brand

Recorded at the BBC Studios Manchester & Angel Studios London

Recorded & Mixed by Steve Price

Tape Operator Tom Jenkins