Frew
Composer/Musical Director
Heads of Department
Heads of Department
Frew is a Composer, Musical Director and Performer. He graduated with a Masters degree in Music from the University of Hull in 2011.
PRAISE FOR AFTER THE ACT (NEW DIORAMA):
★ ★ ★ ★
Frew’s fabulous electronica sends us back to a 1980s synthesised clubland ... this musical feels exceptional
The Guardian
★ ★ ★ ★
the script is a potent blend of sharp satire and harrowing tragedy, while the musical element (composed by Frew, with sound design from Owen Crouch) features heartfelt lyrics and rich harmonies, played against a euphoric soundscape of 80s synth chords.
The Telegraph
★ ★ ★ ★
Composer and musical director Frew gives the 1980s-set first half a propulsive, electro-synth backdrop, as Section 28 comes malignantly into being while evoking bands such as Underworld as the show moves into the 1990s and explores the law’s impact. The music captures a freneticism ... The songs are less neatly formed numbers and more outbursts of feeling – in sadness, hatred or anger.
The Stage
★ ★ ★ ★
Streams of verbatim lyrics are squashed into dancy, synthy, driving music by mono-named composer Frew who stands on a raised platform at a keyboard, like Chris Lowe from Pet Shop Boys. Often the songs sound like the score to some amazing ’80s action movie.
Time Out
In Development
Production | Company | Notes |
---|---|---|
2024 | Breach Theatre/UK Tour | Dir. Billy Barrett |
COMMISSION 2024 | Almeida Theatre | Commission to compose a new musical |
THE CANARY AND THE CROW 2024 | Maia Pictures/Channel 4 | Composer |
Theatre
Production | Company | Notes |
---|---|---|
2024 | Sheffield Theatres | Dir. Robert Hastie |
2023 | Traverse Theatre | Dir. Billy Barrett |
2023 | New Diorama/Breach | Dir. Billy Barrett |
2022 | Oldham Coliseum | Dir. Gitika Buttoo |
2022 | Middle Child Theatre | Dir. Paul Smith and Maureen Lennon |
2020 | Middle Child Theatre/Summerhall/Arcola Theatre | Dir. Paul Smith |
2019 | New Diorama | Dir. Billy Barrett |
2019 | Bolton Octagon | Dir. Lotte Wakeham |
2019 | Birmingham Rep | Dir. Alex Brown |
2019 | MIddle Child Theatre/Hull Truck/Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse | Dir. Paul Smith |
2019 | Silent Uproar | Dir. Alex Mitchell |
2018 | Bush Theatre | Dir. Paul Smith |
2018 | Wilton's Music Hall | Dir. Thomas Hescott |
2018 | Sheffield Crucible | Dir. Rebecca Frecknall |
2018 | Middle Child | Dir. Paul Smith |
2018 | Royal Exchange | Dir. Matt Hassall |
2017 - 2018 | Birmingham Rep | Dir. Tessa Walker |
2017 | Middle Child | Dir. Paul Smith |
2017 | Middle Child/Paines Plough/Roundabout @ Summerhall | Dir. Paul Smith |
2017 | Orange Tree Theatre | Dir. Alex Thorpe |
2016 - 2017 | New Vic Theatre | Dir. Theresa Heskins |
2016 | Pilot Theatre | Dir. Katie Posner |
2016 | Birmingham Rep/Watford Palace/Hull Truck | Dir. Tessa Walker |
2016 | Pentabus Theatre | Dir. Jo Newman |
2016 | Northern Stage/UK Tour | Dir. Lorne Campbell |
2015 | Hull Truck | Dir. Mark Babych |
2015 | Hampstead Theatre Downstairs | Dir. Caitlin McLeod |
2015 | Middle Child Theatre | Dir. Paul Smith |
2015 | Cast Doncaster | Dir. Esther Richardson and Lucy Hind |
2015 | Underbelly, Edinburgh Fringe/New Diorama | Dir. Paul Smith |
2015 | Pentabus Theatre | Dir. Tinuke Craig |
2015 | Hampstead Theatre Downstairs | Dir. Anna Ledwich |
2014 | Middle Child Theatre | Dir. Paul Smith |
2014 | Hull Truck | Dir. Mark Babych |
2014 | Middle Child Theatre | Dir. Paul Smith |
2014 | Paines Plough/Tour | Dir. Stef O'Driscoll |
2014 | Watford Palace Theatre | Dir. Brigid Larmour & Shona Morris |
2014 | Hull Truck | Dir. Paul Smith |
2014 | Park Theatre/Big Bear | Dir. James Bounds |
2014 | Hull Truck | Dir. Mark Babych |
2013 | Soho Theatre | Dir. Steve Marmion |
THE UGLY SISTERS 2013 | Rash Dash/UK Tour | Dir. Kyle Davies/Rash Dash |
2013 | National Theatre | Dir.Jeremy Herrin |
SATURDAY NIGHT, SUNDAY MORNING 2013 | Middle Child Theatre | Dir. Paul Smith |
2013 | Red Ladder/UK Tour | Dir. Rod Dixon |