A Remarkable Collaboration between BA (Hons) Musical Theatre and BMus Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister)
Guildford School of Acting (GSA) takes immense pride in nurturing artistic collaboration between our students, encouraging them to push the boundaries of their creativity and skill. The recent cast recording of the British Musical Comedy Grab Me A Gondola by our BA (Hons) Musical Theatre students in partnership with BMus Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) students from the Music and Media department at the University of Surrey is a shining example of this ethos in action.
Grab Me A Gondola was written by James Gilbert and Julian More in 1956 and had a successful artistic and commercial two-year run in London’s West End, followed by a two-year national tour and major productions across the globe throughout the early 1960s. Although the piece was a huge hit, it became forgotten, and special permission was sought by GSA from the estates of both writers to present the first full-scale production for 60 years!
The piece was chosen for production at GSA as it was clearly evident in the writing that the performance students really suited the leading roles, and there was an immense amount of company work which would allow the full ensemble to shine.
The original 1956 London production was one of the first ‘Long Playing’ recording of a British Musicals – but due to the time restriction of the technology of the day, a number of songs from the score went unrecorded and other severely truncated. The opportunity to preserve the full score in its entirety was a goal that GSA wanted to try to achieve.
This 2025 production has been an exhilarating journey, blending the talents of performers and sound engineers to bring this vibrant and tuneful Musical Theatre score to life. Under the guidance of the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Programme Leader Stewart Nicholls and Christopher Wiley (Head of Music and Media), colleagues, and industry professionals, our students have demonstrated exceptional dedication, artistry, and technical prowess in every aspect of the project.
For our BA (Hons) Musical Theatre students, this recording offered a unique opportunity to delve into the nuances of vocal performance in a studio setting, an experience that differs significantly from live theatre. It demanded adaptability, precision, and an understanding of how to convey emotion and character purely through voice. Their passion and commitment to authenticity have truly done justice to the charming and witty spirit of Grab Me A Gondola.
Equally integral to this achievement are our BMus Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) students, who took charge of the technical aspects of the recording process. Their expertise in microphone placement, mixing, editing and mastering ensured that the final product captured the joy and spark of the performances. Their collaboration with the performers, providing feedback and adjustments to optimise sound quality, showcases the invaluable synergy between performance and production.
This project is more than just a cast recording; it is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary learning. It provides our students with a professional-standard experience, preparing them for careers in the performing arts and sound production industries. Through this process, they have not only honed their craft but also developed essential teamwork and communication skills that will serve them throughout their careers.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved in this remarkable endeavour. Their hard work and enthusiasm have resulted in a recording that not only preserves the charm of Grab Me A Gondola but also highlights the extraordinary talent emerging from GSA.
This full cast recording will be commercially released on the Stage Door Records label in physical CD format.