Theo Vidgen::: Composer

The Prince Achmed Orchestra

Posted on 14th April, 2012

I've recently co-composed music for Lotte Reiniger's stunning 1926 silent film "The Adventures of Prince Achmed". Working alongside composer Andrew Gorman and some incredible musicians, we have devised a new score and perform it live at screenings of the film.

TRAILER from our sold-out gig at Hackney Attic:



	This is the first ever feature-length animation film and took Lotte Reiniger more than three years to complete. It takes inspiration from shadow puppetry and features stories from One Thousand and One Nights such as 'Aladdin's Wonderful Lamp'. The score was commisioned by Autumn Shift and we will be performing it at festivals throughout the UK over the summer.
	Extended Excerpts:

It's the Muppet Show!

Posted on 2nd March, 2012

At the end of last year I copied and prepared scores of Richard Jacques' music for a game that has just been released: 'Little Big Planet 2: Muppets'. Work on this project involved making scores and parts from Richard's compositions and his arrangement of the original Muppet Show theme song (written by Jim Henson and Sam Pottle). The music was performed by the UK's top big band players and singers from the West-end.

This is the second time I have worked with Richard and both the music and the game promise to be muppetational!

MUSE

Posted on 26th January, 2012

Working with film-maker David Padadac and soundtrack producer Shervin Shaeri I wrote the score for the film 'MUSE'. This stunning and unusual short is part of a new creative genre that explores the themes of fashion through the medium of the moving image: the fashion-film.

The film has been selected for the official competition and screening in Barcelona at A Shaded View on Fashion Film, the world's first fashion and film festival. The competition was launched by the world-renowned fashion critic and video journalist Diane Pernet.

Lapland: BBC1

Posted on 2nd January, 2011

In the run-up to christmas I had the great pleasure of orchestrating and editing composer Simon Lacey's music for BBC1's comedy drama 'Lapland' (broadcast 10pm Christmas Eve). I worked from midi mock-ups and created scores and parts for string orchestra, harp and piano. 'Lapland' stared Sue Johnston ('The Royle Family'), Julie Graham, Stephen Graham and Elizabeth Berrington. It was incredibly heart-warming and Simon's music gave the programme its magic.

Acontece

Posted on 22nd October, 2011

Working with composer Shervin Shaeri I wrote and recorded string parts for this advert to promote policy development for a world poverty charity. The advert was beautifully filmed in Portugal.


	Composer: Shervin Shaeri
	String parts written and recorded: Theo Vidgen, Cello: Alice Purton

Leutton Postle: Catwalk

Posted on 19th September, 2011

I produced and mixed tracks for the debut collection of design duo Leutton Postle as part of the Vauxhall Fasion Scout Merit Award. It was a really special night and the first time I had produced music for the catwalk. Read more about Leutton Postle here: http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2011/07/11/vauxhall-fashion-scout-merit-award.


	Images by Katy Davies

Watch the full video >>

Embarrassing Bodies and Next Door Nightmares

Posted on 4th September, 2011

I've recently composed music for Maverick Television Production Company with Composer Tom Linden. I worked with live musicians across genres including electro-pop, dubstep and rock to create dynamic and uplifting tracks for TV shows 'Embarrassing Bodies' and 'Next Door Nightmares'.

The Kitchen

September 02, 2011

I'm very pleased to announce that I'm orchestrating Dan Jones' music for The National Theatre's production of The Kitchen, London September 2011. I worked from midi mock-ups and piano scores to create arrangements for String Orchestra.

The play will run at The National Theatre from September until November.

007: Blood Stone

August 25, 2011

I copied and prepared scores for composer Richard Jacques' Concert Suite from the game 007: Blood Stone. The music was performed at the Royal Festival Hall by The London Philharmonic Orchestra with pure Bond magic!

This suite will feature on an album of the greatest computer game music released by the LPO later year.

Original and Mineral

September 02, 2011

Working with Jonnie Vigar from Container, I wrote music for the advertising campaign and website of hair-care company Original & Mineral.

I impressed their CEO Josie Bryce-Smith with a paired-back soundtrack that reflected the core values of the O & M brand. Testimonial >>




	A clip from Original and Mineral's website: talking shop with CEO Jose Bryce Smith

Phantom of the Opera

July 22 , 2011

In the summer of 2011 I took part in Faber's Media Music Course Led by Phil Sheppard. The course was one of the most enjoying and enlightening experiences that I've had in film music. Here is my score to the 1925 silent film Phantom of the Opera, Dir. Rupert Julian, starring screen legend Lon Chaney and Mary Philbin. Recorded at the Royal Academy of Music July 2011.

Paul

January 2011

At the tail-end of 2010 I had the great opporunity to work with Jill Streater, Music Preparation. I prepared scores at Air Studios, London on David Arnold's score for 'Paul' (2011) starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

The score was incredible and the film is hilarious!

The Biggest Loser, My Kitchen Rules, RSPCA Animal Rescue, The Force and more...

September 2010

Working with Jay Stewart (Australian Performing Rights Association's Most Performed Screen Composer 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) I have been writing and arranging for several of Australia's highest rating shows. The shows include My Kitchen Rules, RSPCA Animal Rescue, The Biggest Loser, Find My Family, The ICU and The Force.

"[Theo] brings a wealth of experience in Orchestral arranging which always adds a unique depth and filmic sound to our television music."

Jay Stewart
APRA - Most Performed Screen Composer Australia 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009

Testimonial >>

Obsidian

January 2011

His is my interpretation of Andrew Gorman's Obsidian for solo piano, performed at Blackheath Concert Halls

Contact

July 2010

I scored the feature film "Contact" directed by Neil Harvey. The film was beautifully shot in Vietnam and Australia telling the story of a soldiers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It premiered at Festivals in Australia 2010.

A Heartbeat Away

June 2010

I orchestrated Guy Gross' music for Australian film A Heartbeat Away directed by Gale Edwards (Emmy Award winner), which will be shown in cinemas in 2011. A feel-good musical comedy about brass bands and rock 'n' roll.

The story features an aspiring rock guitarist who is forced to take over the musical direction of his father’s marching band just weeks before a major competition. The cast includes Isabel Lucas, Sebastian Gregory, Williams Zappa, Tammy Macintosh and Colin Friels and is financed by Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Cutting Edge and UK’s Quickfire Films. For this project my orchestrations of Gross' bold and colourful score were recorded by members of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, leading Australian brass musicians and womens choir.

A Midsummer Nights' Dream

June 2009

		I have written songs, dances and incidental music for theatre since the age of 16 when I created music for a production of Narnia for mandolin, violin, guitar, piano & percussion. Other notable productions include A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Ned Bennet (poster shown below), Chekov's The Three Sisters, directed by Lewis Hayes and Terrorism by Presnyakov Brothers, directed by Tess Seddon, for which I won a Manchester In Fringe Theatre Award.

The WAM Foundation