Sutton Coldfield Festival of Arts

• Venue: Town Hall

Stuart Jones, Sutton pianist and composer brings his debut musical Shirt & Tie to Sutton Town Hall on Sunday July 13.

X-Factor and Pop Idol aside, have you ever wondered what life in the music industry is really like?
Well now’s your chance to find out, as one Sutton man’s experiences form the basis for an upbeat musical that puts the music business under the microscope.

Part of the music business since leaving school, Stuart said his own collection of ‘bizarre, funny, wonderful, absurd and immensly frustrating’ experiences had inspired him to write the musical. The industry-related dialogue is said to be ‘100 per cent true’ and includes the memorable sight of an obnoxious record manager telling performer Justin Pants that his six-pack is the key to him making it as a star.

“It’s a part-romantic comedy, part-biographical piece,” said Stuart. “We have keyboards, drums and guitars in the band and there’s a diversity of music which will appeal to everyone - from classical to funk and jazz.”
The cast of the show, many of whom are from in and around Sutton Coldfield, have already enjoyed a successful run at the mac in January this year, attended by 700 people.

Stuart continued: “Everybody put in 150 per cent into the performances and people were coming up to us after saying how touching they found it at the end. The cast put the story across with real emotion - we’ve been really lucky.”

The talented cast of 17 includes seasoned performer Laura Ellis, 22, 17-year-old Sutton local Lucy Hutchinson and 15-year-old Arthur Terry student Grace Miller.

As the show’s flyer proclaims: “Laugh, cry, jump for joy or seethe with anger, this will surely open your eyes to the real music biz.”

For a preview of the show’s songs, visit www.stuartjonesmusic.co.uk

Tickets are £7 on 0121 464 8990 or via www.suttoncoldfieldtownhall.co.uk

Stuart can also been seen as part of Blister at Fairfax School on Saturday 12th July.