MUSIC | Christopher Hamilton and Friends

Is there a specific musical 'chord' you've tapped into when considering the life and times of the prisoners forming part of this project?

I was commissioned to write the music last October and only met the inmates last week so it would have been far too presumptuous of me to try to develop a style of music before meeting them.

All I had to really work with were the texts which were given to me. One of the challenges of that of course was that a lot of these texts were never intended to be set to music - for example Cleopatra's speech. Like a lot of Shakespeare the language can be rather dense albeit extremely poetic and beautiful. Sometimes when faced with such a speech I must admit I wonder whether I can actually add anything to the poetry!

However, on repeated readings a musical atmosphere will usually come to me when I sit at the piano and the song will slowly write itself. It was particularly thrilling for me to hear that speech sung for the first time by Laura Pitt Pulford only last week having written it back in December.

I've thoroughly enjoyed working with these young men. I never patronised them or avoided talking about certain subjects and I think we respected each other for that. In fact I was as strict as I would have been in any other environment but could also have a good laugh with them.

One time Laura and I were singing Whitney Houston power ballads at the piano and a few of the guys joined in! It was ironically enough moments like that which made the whole experience so special and I think they really appreciated that we spoke to them like regular human beings.

It was fascinating learning about prison life and their life stories and of course heartbreaking when they showed me pictures of their babies and young children. I sincerely hope that this project which is so unique and empowering will go some way to enabling them to create better lives for themselves when they are released.   

Did you find anything specifically of interest in the Maltese crop of inmates?

I really enjoyed working with Manuel. He sang a Shakespeare sonnet I'd set to music. He'd been working hard on the song but when I arrived had suffered from a throat infection and had lost a little confidence. In any event, I suppose it must be somewhat daunting singing a song for the first time in front of the composer even though I try not to come across as too scary!

Anyway, we worked on it and I was so impressed with his willingness to learn and his desire to do the song justice. Although he's a professional singer it wasn't the sort of style of song he is used to singing but I thought he sang it beautifully. I was very proud of what he achieved.

Another Maltese inmate was our stage manager, Andrew, who never failed to put a smile on my face. He was so helpful and friendly and again it was great to get to know him.

How do you respond to each individual performance?

I have to mention the other Musical Director of 'When You Hear My Voice' - David Hewson. He spent three weeks working with the inmates and the four Maltese actors and in effect taught them my songs.

Fortunately when I arrived for the final week of rehearsals everything was already in excellent shape. I think that I was able to come in to the rehearsal process with a fresh eye and was able to give good honest feedback.

For instance, initially the show was going to run without an interval until I pointed out that one hour and 46 minutes is a long time to sit watching such a powerful and moving piece. I knew instinctively that people would not be able to concentrate for that amount of time and that would have in effect done the performers a disservice.

Similarly, you have to be rather ruthless and honest enough to acknowledge that if a song isn't working in a particular section the piece as a whole might possibly benefit from its being cut.

What can you tell us about An Evening With Christopher Hamilton and Friends? Who are the friends and what can we expect?

I'm very excited about this event! I think it will be a wonderful way to round off my experience here in Malta. Aside from composing music I also write lyrics and perform in cabaret singing my songs at the piano.

It's extremely rewarding to sing a song you've recently written for the first time and see the audience's reaction. I will be particularly delighted to welcome on stage two highly talented performers.

Shimi Goodman will be joining us from Germany where he has just starred in The Who's Tommy the Musical. Shimi has also performed in Chicago in London's West End, the original cast of Dirty Dancing, Evita and will soon start rehearsals for Ragtime at Regent Park's Open Air Theatre. Shimi asked me to contribute seven of my songs to his debut album When You Hear My Voice which was released last year.

The title song of that album so impressed (director) Bruce Wall that he asked me whether he could call the prison project here in Malta the same name and open the show with that song. Shimi will be singing songs from his album which I also musically directed including Helen of Troy which seemed to go down very well each night at the St James Cavalier!

I had the pleasure of working with Madalena Alberto when she auditioned for my first musical 'Over The Threshold' in 2009. She created the role of Sam in a production we took up the Edinburgh Festival. My cast of four did such a fantastic job that we received six 5-star reviews and won the MTM:UK Award  for Best Music.

This led to a transfer to London. Madalena played the role of Fantine in 'Les Miserables' for the 25th Anniversary Production. She has also appeared in Zorro in the West End and is a very accomplished singer/songwriter. Madalena will be flying in from Portugal and it is both hers and Shimi's first time in Malta so I can't wait to show them around so they too can appreciate how beautiful this country is.

Joseph Zammit - who I have only known for one week - will also be joining me on stage to sing a Shakespearean sonnet I've set to music. In the short time I've known Joe, I predict a bright future.

The concert will hopefully appeal to anyone of any age. Although the music is written solely by me it will be very varied and designed to entertain.

For instance, I'll be singing a song about being an ex lawyer (which is true!), Shimi and Madalena will sing a very dramatic duet in Russian, Madalena will take on the role of a Las Vegas Showgirl for one number, there will be music from my musical Over The Threshold and Shimi premiere a comedy song Wooing the Masculine Way which ironically enough urges men not to bother writing sonnets!

In order to give something back to the Corradino Correctional Facility and thank its Operations Manager Joanne Battistino, we suggested that the inmates might like to see a dress rehearsal of our show so we've been allowed to perform it today in the Prison Chapel, which will mean a lot to us.  

The concert starts at 19:30. It will be taking place at the Music Room of St James Cavalier. Tickets at €15 can be booked by calling 21 223200 or emailing [email protected].