HE has recorded albums and toured extensively but a Felixstowe musician is set to add to his musical experience when he takes his theatrical bow.

HE has recorded albums and toured extensively but a Felixstowe musician is set to add to his musical experience when he takes his theatrical bow.

Richard Churchyard, who has made a name for himself playing guitar, has now composed the musical accompaniment to Matilda Liar, latest production by Colchester-based company Three Wishes Theatre.

It is a change in direction for the 28-year-old but one that will hopefully lead him closer to his ultimate goal of writing a movie score.

"I was playing a venue in Colchester when by chance I met a woman who said she was involved in plays," Richard said, explaining how he got involved with Matilda Liar. "My brain clicked and I thought if I was hoping to get into writing film scores it would be a good experience to write for a play.

"I said if there was anything coming up or if anyone needed music writing for a production she should let me know. I thought nothing more of it but the following week her friend, the director of this show, got back to me."

Composing the music for the play, which opens in Colchester on November 12, was a different experience to writing for an album.

While Richard's two solo guitar releases, Unthanked Road and Angel's Promise each took as long as a year to write, and are ambient offerings, the musical score for Matilda Liar is dark and sinister. Due to his touring commitments he wrote it in a week and having seen only half the show.

"I spoke to the director about the play and my conclusion was that it has to be quite frenetic and manic," he said. "Matilda is a compulsive liar and lies to protect her family. The story also echoes a number of fairytales.

"I needed to do something soft but also something schizophrenic in the head. It's never settled.

"It's all melody so that there is nothing to distract the audience so I have composed 15 soundscapes ranging from kinetic chaos to undulant, tortured whales."

Richard, from Kirton, has enjoyed the experience and now hopes it will lead him to achieving his ambition.

He already has some Hollywood approval for his music. He sent director Sam Mendes a couple of pieces of music inspired by American Beauty and was rewarded with an encouraging reply.

n Matilda Liar opens at the Mercury Studio in Colchester on November 12. For details call 01206 573948.

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