Annemarie Lewis Thomas

Annemarie Lewis Thomas is a musical director, composer, lyricist and the principal/founder of the Musical Theatre Academy (MTA), named by The Stage as School of the Year in 2012 and 2017.[1]

Early career

Originally from Swansea,[2] Annemarie trained at Middlesex Polytechnic, getting a degree in Performing Arts. After graduating she was the MD for the critically acclaimed fringe company The Steam Industry.[3] During her tenure as the MD/Arranger for the Steam Industry she was responsible for such hits as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,[4] The King & I, The Sound of Music and the UK stage premiere of Calamity Jane [5] all at BAC. Eventually Willmott and Lewis Thomas started to create their own shows includingUncle Ebenezer,[6] Around the World in 80 Days (which went on to have a short UK and a large German tour), and Wolf Boys (commissioned by the Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre). Having worked on over 20 shows with Phil Willmott,[7] including the first original production of Rent outside of Broadway, which she was given permission to re-arrange.[8] Annemarie moved into composing & lyric writing. Writing with Phil Willmott, Around The World in 80 Days was quick to receive a publishing deal with Samuel French. .[9][10] She was commissioned to write the music for Black Eyed Susan which reopened the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds after its much-lauded renovation.[11] She was then commissioned to write three pantomimes for the theatre.

In total Annemarie has written the music for seven pantomimes and has written 16 full-length musicals – all of which have been performed by major companies. Regularly commissioned by YMT:UK[12] most recently she has been writing with award-winning book writer Nick Stimson. Together they have now written six musicals, all of which have obtained great critical reviews. Dangerous Daughters, the story of the Suffragette movement, through the eyes of the Pankhurst family was published by Samuel French in 2018.[13]

In 2011 Trinity Guildhall Musical Theatre Examination Board, chose A Common Man from Great Expectations as one of their Syllabus pieces [14]

Teaching

A former Head of Musical Theatre at the Hertfordshire Theatre School a module leader at Middlesex University,, ' Annemarie has always taught alongside her professional commitments. In 2009 she opened her own college The MTA. Since opening the college has received a constant stream of critical press, praising its innovative approach to drama training. In 2012 it was named The Stage School of the Year with the citation calling it a 'new force for drama training in the UK' and in 2017 it was awarded the title for an unprecedented 2nd time. Once again the citation acknowledged its groundbreaking approach, noting that its graduates were now regularly appearing in top professional productions. However the award was specifically given for the work that the college had done to promote Mental Health Awareness in the Arts. The MTA closed in September 2022

Writer/commentator

Annemarie is an accomplished writer, regularly being asked to contribute articles/features to arts magazines, and websites. For a number of years she wrote for the Review Hub, until in 2015 she opted for complete editorial control with her own blog (which has now turned into vlogging on her own YouTube channel). She now writes as 'an expert' on the Backstage.com website and has staffed their 'Office Hours' forum on a few occasions [15] Known to be outspoken on the topic of Mental Health in the Arts, in March 2015 she organised the first conference for drama schools to discuss the issue.[16] As a direct result of the conference, Annemarie, along with The MTA's Mental Health consultant, Angie Peake, created the #time4change Mental Health Charter. Launched by Mark Shenton in The Stage[17] in July 2016. By December 2016, 115 major arts organisations had signed up to the charter.

Musicals
  • Uncle Ebenezer Book, Lyrics by Phil Willmott. Music by Annemarie Lewis Thomas (based on tunes by traditional songs)
  • Around the World in 80 Days Book, Lyrics by Phil Willmott. Music by Annemarie Lewis Thomas (based on tunes by Phil Willmott)*
  • Wolfboys Book, Lyrics by Phil Willmott. Music by Annemarie Lewis Thomas (based on tunes by Phil Willmott)
  • Great Expectations Book by Gerry Flanagan. Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas
  • Fool's Gold Book by Gerry Flanagan. Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas
  • Dangerous Daughters Book by Nick Stimson. Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas*
  • Celebs Anon Book by Nick Stimson. Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas
  • The Sunshine Gang Book by Nick Stimson. Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas
  • The Ballad of Kitty Jay Book by Nick Stimson. Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas
  • Tickets Please Book by Nick Stimson. Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas
  • The Venus Factor Book by Nick Stimson. Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas
  • Oh My, Nellie Bly Book by Nick Stimson. Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas*
    • * Published by Concord Theatrical UK

Pantomimes
  • Cinderella Book by Daniel O'Brien Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas
  • Puss in Boots Book by Daniel O'Brien Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas
  • Jack and the Beanstalk Book by Daniel O'Brien Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas
  • Aladdin Book by Daniel O'Brien Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas
  • Mother Goose Book by Daniel O'Brien Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas
  • Robinson Crusoe Book by Daniel O'Brien Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas
  • Dick Whittington and his Cat Book by Daniel O'Brien Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas

Films
  • Coming Home Screenplay by Nick Stimson Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas
  • J Screenplay by Nick Stimson Music & Lyrics by Annemarie Lewis Thomas**

** Winner of 12 Laurels on the Film Festival Circuit, including a Bronze award for Annemarie's lyric and song writing

References
  1. "Stage 100 Awards 2012: School of the year - Features". Thestage.co.uk. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  2. "Ex-pupil shining on big stage". Southwales-eveningpost.co.uk. 13 July 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  3. "PHIL WILLMOTT multi-award winning theatre director, playwright, teacher & arts journalist". Philwillmott.org. Archived from the original on 30 November 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  4. "A jolly knees-up out West". Telegraph. 5 January 2000. Archived from the original on 27 February 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  5. "Curse of the Werewolf" (PDF). Overthefootlights.co.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  6. "Uncle Ebenezer - A Christmas Carol (Musical) archive [MUSICAL]". Uktw.co.uk. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  7. "multi-award winning theatre director, playwright, teacher & arts journalist". Phil Willmott. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  8. "Future for rent". Irishtimes.com. 3 June 2000. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  9. "London Theatre Guide Theatre Current Reviews / Around The World in 80 Days / 2001". Londontheatre.co.uk. 1 December 2001. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  10. "Around the World in Eighty Days (ad. Willmott)". Samuelfrench.com. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  11. Billington, Michael (12 September 2007). "Black Eyed Susan". The Guardian.
  12. "Annemarie Lewis Thomas". Youth Music Theatre UK. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  13. Annemarie Lewis Thomas; Nick Stimson. "Dangerous Daughters".
  14. Gardyne, John; Horrocks, Luise (5 September 2011). "Sing Musical Theatre: Wouldn't it be Loverly?". Faber Music Limited. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  15. "UK Students: Consider This Before Spending £27,000 on a Degree". backstage.com.
  16. Elkin, Susan (3 April 2016). "Susan Elkin: We must do more to promote mental health awareness | Opinion". The Stage. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  17. Shenton, Mark (12 July 2016). "Mark Shenton: Is theatre doing enough to protect workers' mental health? | Opinion". The Stage. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
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