We sat down for an exclusive interview with Kurt Rosenberg, composer and writer of new Irish romantasy musical, For the Lack of Laura, coming to Shaw Theatre in London – 24th July – 2nd August.
Kurt, For The Lack of Laura has been 25 years in the making – that’s quite a journey. What has it felt like to see this story finally come to life on stage, and here in the UK for its premiere?
When I wrote the musical those many years ago, I thought that it might, one day, be staged at a local high school or in a community theatre. So when Morgan Brothers, a Galway Ireland-based theatre and film production company, agreed to produce “For the Lack of Laura” and take it to the UK, I couldn’t believe that my decades-old dream of staging my musical was coming true. A “Dream Come True”! And to make the UK Tour even more gratifying, I lived in Bath for close to a year, whilst attending university there, and have a deep affection for England’s culture, landscapes, and its wonderful people.
The story was partly inspired by something your mother once said about your father – that he had “the gifts she was looking for.” Can you tell us more about how that idea planted the seed for Laura’s magical journey?
My mother had movie-star looks and was beautiful, both inside and out. She had many suitors who possessed great gifts and talents. Many of them went on to be quite successful, even famous. But, in the end, it was what my Dad had to offer that cinched the deal. As I went through high school and university, and started to date, I began to think, “Why do we choose who we choose for our life-long partners?” The musical’s main character, “Laura”, inspired by my mum, is faced with the same dilemma in the musical. Pursued by a cadre of exceptional and captivating suitors, “Who Will She Choose?!” You gotta come to the show to find out!
Laura’s quest for love takes her across time, cultures and continents – from Spanish bullrings to Russian ballet and the English countryside. What inspired this wide-ranging, fantastical backdrop?
When I created “Laura”, I envisioned her as being the most beautiful, and alluring, woman on the planet. Laura could have any man she wanted and she knew it. So, the men who pursued her had to be up to the task. They had to have something that set them apart from other men. To achieve that, I knew that Laura’s suitors had to be “worlds apart”, not only in geographical location but in temperament and profession. Who would be more exhilarating than a matador from Madrid? Who would be more graceful than a Russian Ballet Dancer? Who would be more spiritual than a vicar from the heart of England? All different! And all irresistible!
The musical also has a touch of folklore and a sense of timeless magic. Why do you think fantasy and romance remain so enduring on stage, and what makes them work together so well here?
For me, Fantasy and Romance equals Musical Theatre! Audiences have always been drawn to relatable stories that transport them to another fantastical world. They want to escape to a mystical place where they’ll get to know, and even root for, colourful and complex characters in pursuit of their goals and dreams. Magic allows Laura to escape the confines of her small Irish village, allowing her to explore a whole new world full of exciting possibilities, romance, and unforeseen danger. The audience will be able to join Laura as she visits far-off lands, in search of the adventure and her one true love.
The show features 26 original songs, a 16-piece orchestra and a 12-person cast. That’s an ambitious scale for a debut musical! What was it like hearing the score fully realized for the first time?
I was completely “blown away” when I first heard the cast sing with the orchestra! When I wrote the songs for the musical some 25 years ago, I thought I’d be lucky to get a piano to play the accompaniment with the ensemble singers. But, in my heart, I always wanted the music to be arranged for orchestra by an Irish composer. Fortune smiled on me when I connected with Jake Morgan, Ireland’s leading composer for theatre and film. After collaborating with him and his brother, Luke, on a couple of other projects, I asked Jake if he’d orchestrate the songs. Luckily he agreed to tackle the score. Jake not only orchestrated the music, he also composed the musical’s luscious Overture, recorded last year by Britain’s own world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra!
For The Lack of Laura is a love story, but also a story about choice and consequence. Without giving too much away… is there a message or feeling you hope people leave the theatre with?
I would love for the audience to feel as if they had joined Laura on her universal journey of self-discovery and that they could, in some way, personally relate to her hopes, fears, and her search for true love. And, as the composer, it would be so gratifying if the audience, whilst exiting the lobby and spilling out onto the streets, began humming songs from the show!