Clive Cockburn has had a career spanning many years working as a musician, songwriter and composer in the film and television industry and also has a number of rock opera musicals to his name. He has recorded albums, composed hundreds of television commercials, scored fifteen television series and three feature films, including “The Maori Merchant of Venice”. He is a three time winner of the “Best Music” category at the NZ Film and Television Awards and was commissioned to compose for choir and symphony orchestra for the opening of the Aotea Centre, at the request of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
Organisation/Company
Name: The White Mouse
My Role: Writer and composer
The White Mouse is the latest musical that I have written and composed.
Synopsis: Nancy Wake is a New Zealand/Australian WW2 heroine. She was the Gestapo’s most wanted woman and they called her ‘The White Mouse’ as she was so hard to catch. Initially Nancy drove an ambulance taking Jewish refugees and downed British airmen, to safe houses in the Pyrenees from where they could escape to England. After being trained at The Special Operations Executive in Scotland, she became a leader and trainer, of thousands of Maquisards, in the forests of the Auvergne in France.
The Music: The White Mouse is a ninety minute ‘sung-through musical’.
The performers: One male and one female singer/actor. The male plays several roles.
Sampler - dur: 7'00" - https://vimeo.com/515450316
Organisation/Company
Name: Boadicea: Celtic Warrior Queen
My Role: Composer
The young Queen Boadicea is one of the greatest heroines in history. She led an army of 100,000 untrained men against the Roman Army that invaded Britain 2,000 years ago. The story is ancient but the presentation should be brand new and may be presented in any way the solo singer/actress imagines.
Script and soundtrack excerpt 1 - https://vimeo.com/503918136
Excerpt 2 - https://vimeo.com/503919768
How I got where I am today
I learned classical piano and then taught myself guitar. I became a professional musician at eighteen, had a residency in Wellington, toured and had several top ten hits.
Whānau
My parents were 'show' ballroom dancers in vaudeville and my sister was in musicals - taking the lead in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Opera House in Wellington.
Something cool
Stevie Wonder and Pavarotti - Peace Wanted Just To Be Free
The White Mouse - a Contemporary Opera based on the life of WW2 heroine Nancy Wake.
Artform: A Contemporary Opera for a male and female singer accompanied by either an onstage ‘live’ band or recording backing. There is a video backdrop of the music and lyrics in sync with the singers. The video also includes stills of the period.
Development Status: In Development (The two performers of the showcase of The White Mouse have rehearsed for several weeks. At this stage we need a director and funding to take it further.)
Media Uploads
Trailer
Synopsis
Synopsis: Nancy Wake is a New Zealand/Australian WW2 heroine. She was the Gestapo’s most wanted woman and they called her ‘The White Mouse’ as she was so hard to catch. Initially Nancy drove an ambulance taking Jewish refugees and downed British airmen, to safe houses in the Pyrenees from where they could escape to England. After being trained in Scotland she became a leader and trainer, of thousands of Maquisards, in the forests of the Auvergne in France.
Creative Team and Crew
The staged production will require Sound and Lighting technician(s).
Number of People in the Touring Party
Male and female singer/actors and a lighting and sound technician
Previous Seasons
A Workshop with audience was staged at The Pump House Theatre in Takapuna, Auckland on the 18th October 2020.
Reviews and Quotes
The White Mouse has yet to be reviewed. There was not reviewer at the workshop.
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