About Platform

Platform musicals was formed by local director,adjudicator and actor Andrew Hodgson in 1994. The idea was originally conceived as a "one off" event to raise money for Theatre Arts Action, whose aim was to create a permanent home for Amateur theatre in Colchester, an aim that was eventually realised with the opening of the Headgate Theatre in 2002. The first Platform musical was a concert version of Richard Rogers/Stephen Sondheim's 1965 musical play "Do I Hear a Waltz?" Based on a successful play and film by Arthur Laurents, the show is set in Venice and tells the story of a lonely american spinster who finds romance with a handsome Italian charmer. The original broadway production was only a minor success and had mixed reviews but it contains some lovely songs such as the title number and "Moon at my Window" and comic numbers like "What Do We Do We Fly". Andrew had seen the show performed at the Barbican Theatre in concert form, had loved it and thought it would be perfect as Platform's first presentation. A cast of 10 local singers and actors was assembled, including Clare Joseph in the leading role and subsequent Platform regulars, Dave King, Maggie Brush, Liz Mullen, Sandra Moorehouse and Andrew himself, among the cast. The show was staged very simply with Platform's accomplished musical director John Wolton at the piano, and the cast sight reading from scores. The production played for only two nights at the Mercury Studio Theatre but was greeted with critical and audience acclaim. As a result,a substantial donation was made to the T.A.A. fund and the decision made to continue with Platform on a regular basis. Until the Headgate Theatre opened, all Platform's productions were performed at the Mercury Studio and Platform are indebited to the Mercury for their unstinting support over the years and Platform hopes to perform at the Studio again soon. Andrew Hodgson remains Platform's artistic director, with invaluable support from Dave King and regular M.D. John Wolton. Participation in a Platform production remains by invitation only, which in Andrew's view means that the highest standards of performance can be maintained and casting achieved to maximum advantage. A look down the list of Platform's previous productions, demonstrates a heavy bias towards the work of Stephen Sondheim, which reflects Andrew's love of the composer's work. Future plans include Johann Strauss's operetta "Die Fledermaus", a contemporary musical, "Up on the Roof" and another Sondheim musical, with both "Company" and "Sweeney Todd" on Platform's agenda!
Platform Musicals is a member of the North East Essex Theatre Guild, and has won the following awards out of many nominations in the Showcase Festival:
Best Musical: "Sondheim Revued" 1995-6
The Timmens Award for Music:
Full Company singing in "Sondheim Revued" 1995-6
Full Company singing in "If Love Were All" 1996-7
John Wolton for musical accompaniment in "Glamorous nIghts" 1997-8
The Adjudicator's Award: Andrew Hodgson for "Sondheim Revued" 1995-6
Award for new writing: Liz Mullen and Andrew Hodgson for "Here's a How De Do" 2001-2.