‘ANOTHER BITE OF THE APPLE’
A new musical by Frank Vickery (libretto) and Tim Riley (music)
‘Another Bite of the Apple’ is about a couple who meet in South Wales during the Second World War. Kit is an American soldier and Dilys a local girl. At the end of the war the romance comes to an abrupt end when Kit returns to America. They lead entirely separate lives until Kit returns in the 1970s for a reunion of army pals. Kit, now in his 60s, gets to wondering what ever happened to Dilys and decides to look her up. This is the starting point for the musical.
Although Kit and Dilys are not based on real characters, the american reunions did take place in South Wales in the seventies and eighties and were Frank’s inspiration for the piece. For my own part, what has really attracted me to this project – apart from the obvious opportunity of working with Frank -has been creating a musical score focusing around a romance between two ‘older’ characters.
We’re currently more than half way through the first draft and this should be completed by the end of 2011. During 2012 we plan to workshop the musical over several days with an invited audience coming to an informal showing at the end. We hope that the final piece will be premiered in 2013.
I’ve spent a little time recording some of the songs to get a feel for how things are working. If anyone has any feedback I’d be delighted to hear from you (use the reply section at the bottom). I must stress the recordings are a bit rought and think of them more as ‘sketches’ than finished songs at this stage. Unfortunately it’s me singing the parts for Kit! Rather more fortunately the parts for Dilys are sung by Alana Price. I’m also grateful to Gavin Marsh for joining me as an extra male voice for the Americans.
Click on any of the four links below to hear a sneak preview of the music.
My Stomach Rolled Over A duet between Kit and Dilys
The Long Journey Home (Instrumental) A musical theme that appears in various guises (with and without lyrics) throughout the show
Were Packin’ Up (and Movin’ On) The ‘Yanks’ decide it’s time to head home (again) at the end of Act One
What a Swizz Love Is A second duet with Kit and Dilys where it looks like everything is over.
Tim Riley - composer, writer 
Hi Tim
Janice here (fireworks). I know it is spelt like Janis! Call me bouquet. Really enjoyed the evening.
Intrigued I had to listen to all the music attached. I really loved the instrumental. Very wistful, it is of time and dreams and rueful acquiescence.
Hope to hear from you.
Warm wishes.
Janice
Happy New Year Tim – How did your collaboration with Frank work out in the end???
And to you too Richard. Nice to hear from you. Things have been proceeding well with ‘Another Bite of the Apple’. The Arts Council and the Parc and Dare Theatre have funded a workshop of the musical with a concert performance in March. We’ve been casting this week and have some excellent people involved including Peter Karrie and Di Botcher. It certainly takes us a big step closer to the possibility of a tour next year. Will send you an invite a bit closer to the time.
Regards
Tim