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ABOUT BRÉON GEORGE RYDELL

Born in Roxburghshire, Scotland - Composer, lyricist, producer.

Music, theatre, and film were an early inspiration. The relics of the rich and dramatic history of the Scottish Border's, have left their mark. Horse-riding across the region fired his imagination. He began to express himself through words, music and singing. His early poems and melodies were written around Hume Castle, Smailholm Tower, and in the fishing villages of Berwickshire and Northumberland.

Bréon spent his college years in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. He formed an avant-garde performing group who toured the country. This in turn, led him to London.

A few months after arriving in the Capital, he sustained serious injuries in a car accident. However, he was determined to continue with his artistic dream, which by now, had led to the formation of his own indie ensemble, which included classical and contemporary musicians. Bréon was lead vocalist, and wrote both music and lyrics. Early recordings were heard by a producer at Abbey Road, who invited him to record in the world famous studios.

Bréon was offered the position of Artistic Director of a music production company, based in London, and on Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles. The following years were spent in the artistic, music, and film community of Hollywood . He also spent time in the Far East. A meeting with Sir Cameron Macintosh in New York, and a per-chance encounter with Julie Taymor and Elliot Goldenthal in Italy, gave further impetus to Bréon's artistic ideas. His long held vision of writing an original work for music theatre began to crystallize.

His first work for music theatre 'DreamTower Inn' was shortlisted, by an expert panel, for the final of an International competition aimed at finding a new work for Music Theatre. The competition was sponsored by the Cameron Macintosh Foundation, Scottish Executive, and filmed by the BBC. ‘Dream Tower’ is currently being developed for a commercial theatre production.

Artistic and Creative Influences

Franco Zeffirelli - Complete Works; Rudolph Nureyev - Classical Ballet and Modern Dance;
Music Theatre; Lionel Bart – Oliver; Leonard Bernstein – West Side Story;
George Gershwin – Porgy and Bess; Sir Cameron Macintosh - Les Misérables;
Rogers and Hammerstein – Carousel; South Pacific;
Stephen Sondheim - Sweeny Todd and Sunday In The Park with George;
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber - Phantom Of The Opera; Lee Hall and Sir Elton John - Billy Elliot;
Julie Taymor and Eliot Goldenthal – The Lion King and Frida;.

Theatre: William Shakespeare - Complete Works; Sir Ian McKellen - King Lear;
Tennessee Williams – The Glass Menagerie; A Streetcar Named Desire; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof;

Film noir: Howard Hawkes - The Big Sleep; Robert Hardy - The Wicker Man;
Alfred Hitchcock - Notorious; Roman Polanski – Chinatown;

Mythology: Joseph Campbell
Research method and musicology: Professor Ariel Lant
Twentieth century art and sculpture: Sir Eduardo Paolozzi
Creativity and literary structure: John Cleese