MULTI award-winning jazz artist Jamie Cullum is composing the music for the RSC’s latest production.
The pianist, singer and broadcaster will make his theatrical debut with the Royal Shakespeare Company this summer, providing the music for The Constant Wife by Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade.
Based on W. Somerset Maugham’s original play of the same title, the production will be directed by RSC co-artistic director Tamara Harvey and feature Rose Leslie from Game of Thrones in the lead role.
Jamie said: “I am thrilled to be composing the music for The Constant Wife and so excited to be working in theatre like this for the first time. As a composer who often works within the jazz genre, I am very familiar with the idea of evolving traditions and searching for new ways to play classic material.
“I feel honoured that the brilliant RSC are entrusting me with this opportunity to bring some musical ingenuity to Laura’s deliciously funny and subversive adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham’s original 1926 script. It’s already been a joy working with Tamara Harvey and bouncing ideas around with her. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into rehearsals.”
Tamara continued: “It’s brilliant to be working with Jamie on the music for The Constant Wife. Jamie’s contribution has invigorated contemporary jazz and engaged a new generation of listeners. Who better to help us create the world of The Constant Wife, 100 years after it was written?
“Laura Wade has injected this brilliant classic play with her modern sparkle and bite and Jamie’s music promises to bring another dimension to the story. I’m so excited to see where we go together – it’s already sounding incredible.”
Jamie is a globally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known for his unique blend of jazz, pop, and rock. Most famous for his dynamic stage presence and prodigious musical talent, he first came to prominence with his major label breakthrough Twentysomething whose multi-million sales make it one of the UK’s best-selling albums of all time.
The Constant Wife runs at the Swan Theatre in Stratford from June 20 to August 2.
