ALL ABOUT SIMON J HANSON
After obtaining a degree in music at London University, where he specialised in orchestration and technical composition, Simon decided to follow his musical passions into the varied worlds of Musical Theatre.
Over far too many years in the business to count(!) he has worked on numerous projects and productions of which the following are just a selection:
COMPOSER: Wind In The Willows, The Tales Of Hans Christian Andersen, Alice In Wonderland, Pinocchio (all touring nationally); All Creatures Great And Small (Gala Theatre, Durham); Man And The Donkey (Customs House, South Shields); Basketcases and The Princess Who Planted A Tree (for Victoria Stedeford); Sleeping Beauty The Musical (co-composer, arranger and orchestrator); Cinderella (for Key Theatre)
ARRANGER: Numerous concerts and cabaret performances including Hits From The West End (Hamilton Town Hall); Guys Sing Dolls, Bourbon Street Boys (Beyond Broadway Productions); Billy Joel Tribute Show (for Brian McCann and Royal Caribbean Cruises); co-orchestrator for Scottish Musical premiere John Paul Jones; arranger and orchestrator for Scottish Musical premiere Macpherson’s Rant; ongoing vocal and backing track arrangements for MGA Academy of Performing Arts productions and showcases including annual Christmas Wish concert in Usher Hall, Edinburgh; ongoing vocal and backing track arrangements for Beyond Broadway Experience Youth Projects
MUSICAL SUPERVISOR/DIRECTOR: Me And My Baby (Gala Theatre, Durham); Durham Mysteries Festival 2010 (also composer/arranger); Hits Of The West End (Hamilton Town Hall); John Paul Jones (Scottish Premiere and concert staging in association with Scottish Chamber Orchestra); MacPherson’s Rant (Scottish Premiere); Last Five Years (PQA productions, Edinburgh Fringe); ship MD/Keys for Celebrity Cruises; production MD/Keys for We Will Rock You and Grease (Royal Caribbean Productions); MD and arranger for A Night At The Musicals (produced with Brian McCann for Royal Caribbean Cruises); MD for large number of Summer Youth Theatre projects in association with Ambassador Theatre Group and Beyond Broadway Experience Productions; MD of too many professional pantomimes to list(!) - currently resident MD and Supervisor based at Shrewsbury's Theatre Severn for Evolution Pantomimes
OTHER WORK: regular audition pianist for visiting production companies and Musical Theatre tutor and Musical Director at MGA Academy Of Performing Arts, Edinburgh
HOBBIES: as if I have any time for hobbies!!