My Top 5 Showtunes: Paul Taylor-Mills
As a producer, Paul Taylor-Mill's recent theatre credits include Casa Valentina, Carrie the Musical and Altar Boyz.
He is currently co-producing In the Heights at the King's Cross Theatre.
We caught up with Paul and asked him: "If you were stranded on a desert island, which five showtunes could you not live without?"
1. "The Flesh Failures (Let The Sun Shine In)" from Hair
There are few other moments in a musical that move me in the same way that this number does. I was working with Cameron [Mackintosh] when he brought the NY production over and can remember making friends with the box office manager so that I could continually sneak in the back of the auditorium for this number.
I think the power of this song is in its capacity to be both optimistic and yet an urgent reminder. One day I want to do a revival of the show where the audience are all sat on bean bags and lay on mattresses. Perhaps I shouldn't have shared this with WhatsOnStage incase anyone steals it! Oh well… You heard it here first! Surely this is copyrighted!?
2. "The Room Where It Happens" from Hamilton
Slightly biased as I'm blessed to be looking after his younger child (In the Heights) but for me, Lin is the single most exciting voice in musical theatre of recent years. What I love about him (other than being a ridiculously nice human being!) is that he's not writing musicals in this way because he doesn't know the form.
He completely understands the rule book and has turned it on its head, opening the door to a new genre. At the moment only he has the key to this door and it's incredibly exciting! I can't wait to see what happens over the next 10 years. Keep everything crossed that he allows me to look after more of his children!
3. "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls
Incredibly obvious but I'd be lying if I didn't admit to driving my flatmates mad singing this in the shower day after day. I actually have dreams that one day I'm going to get the call from Sonia saying we've run out of all other options and you are the best Effie we have. I'm ready and waiting!
4. "Dyin' Ain't So Bad" from Bonnie and Clyde
Boy can Frank [Wildhorn] write a tune! Frank and Don [Black] achieve the impossible with this number which is to take two of the most dangerous and unlikeable people and give them a humility. Frank is one of best composers we have and I'm looking forward to him letting me do something of his own day (hint hint- nudge nudge!)
5. "Carnaval del Barrio" from In the Heights
I tried really hard to chose numbers from shows that I hadn't produced but I couldn't whole-heartedly say that these were truthfully my top five if I didn't include Carnaval (as sung by our very own Victoria Hamilton-Barritt). I know this is unapologetic self-promotion but I defy anyone to watch her sing this number and not leave the theatre feeling like life is now a better place!
