Alex Parker: Behind the Baton

Published: Jan. 30, 2022, midnight

Over the last few years, one of the most exciting companies on the musical theatre scene has been QuickFantastic. Behind the company is acclaimed musical director Alex Parker who has worked on sell-out shows like Barnum at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Mame at Hope Mill Theatre and Les Miserables in London's West End. Today, Alex Parker is known for putting on luscious musical theatre concerts; assembling top West End talent with glorious orchestras for special evenings celebrating the art of musical theatre. Some recent highlights have included A Little Night Music in Holland Park starring Joanna Riding and Janie Dee and Sunset Boulevard at Royal Albert Hall with Mazz Murray and Ramin Karimloo. Later in February, Quickfantastic will also be staging a special concert production of legendary musical Gypsy with 7 actresses starring as Mama Rose. As well as this, Alex is also currently in hometown Guildford getting ready to stage a production of The Bridges of Madison County.\xa0

As well as conducting musicals, Alex is also a composer and has created several musicals with lyricist Katie Lam. Last year saw the first workshop of The Danish Girl and he hopes to share the full show with an audience soon. He tells us about his collaboration process with Katie Lam and reveals to us they are still continuing to work together and find new subjects to develop shows on.

In this exclusive interview, Alex Parker also tells us about his earliest experiences of seeing live musical productions at the National Theatre as well as discovering musicals like The Light in the Piazza and finding his love for musical directors. We get a real glimpse at the man behind the baton as he maintains that he is a fan first and foremost. It's truly incredible that despite lockdowns and a pandemic, Alex Parker has been busier than ever, providing work for some of the brightest in the business and showcasing the magic of musical theatre to audiences.

The Bridges of Madison County runs from 2nd-5th February at Electric Theatre, Guildford and Gypsy at Alexandra Palace Theatre will play for one night only on 21st February. Tickets for both shows are available now!