Uplifting New Musical by Scarlett

Burrell Theatre’s Latest Production, “Crossroads,” Set to Debut

Wednesday afternoons have seen the Burrell Theatre bustling with activity as rehearsals for the latest production, “Crossroads,” are in full swing. With music and lyrics written by 3rd Year pupil Scarlett, this musical promises to be a captivating addition to the theatre’s repertoire.

We had the opportunity to speak with Scarlett about her creative journey. She shared that her songwriting began in 2020, starting with the song “Crossroads.” Scarlett’s creative process involves writing songs first, which has significantly influenced the musical’s development.

The production boasts a talented cast of twenty, featuring memorable musical numbers like “Wake Up” and the ‘Mother’s Song’. The narrative follows teenager Lucy as she navigates the five stages of grief after a tragedy, supported by her quirky friend Ellie and challenged by a group of gossiping peers. With music and lyrics by Scarlett, “Crossroads” is set to be a moving and uplifting experience filled with toe-tapping rhythms and inventive lyrics.

Scarlett explained that the inspiration for the musical came during the Covid pandemic. “With all that was happening, I channelled my energy and confusion into the music. It was my way of coping with the most bizarre situation.”

The storyline of “Crossroads” delves into the five stages of grief (Denial, Bargaining, Anger, Depression, Acceptance) through the eyes of a teenage girl dealing with friendship problems and school. “The characters follow stereotypes such as the popular girl and the loner,” Scarlett noted.

When asked about the most challenging part of writing the musical, Scarlett admitted, “Coming up with the storyline! I wrote about 75% of the music with no idea of a story for nearly a year. Originally, ‘Crossroads’ was going to be about a road trip!”

Regarding her musical process, Scarlett said, “I find music to be the easiest part for me. The lyrics come to me as soon as I have a basic chord pattern down.”

Collaboration played a crucial role in bringing “Crossroads” to life. “Mr. Thomson and Mr. Oldfield helped me so much. My music theory was not the best, so Mr. Thomson wrote up the sheet music while Mr. Oldfield helped me direct, audition, and handle everything needed.”

Scarlett hopes the audience will take away a meaningful message from her musical. She shared a funny anecdote from the creative process: “There was one time when we were writing the script and got some friends to improvise while we recorded what they said. The dialogue they came up with was so nonsensical and bizarre that none of it made the cut, but it was some of the funniest stuff I’ve ever heard.”

Excitement is high as the performance date approaches. “Lots of the characters and songs I wrote I imagined being performed in a certain way. Since then, I have seen so many incredible interpretations that I can’t wait to see them all together.”

Despite some nerves, Scarlett is looking forward to the performance. “After working on it for nearly three years, the idea of it actually happening is still pretty crazy. When Mr. Oldfield told me nearly a year and a half ago that he would be putting it on, it seemed so far away, but now it’s only a few weeks away!”

As for future projects, Scarlett is enthusiastic. “I write lots of mini joke musicals about random things, and I would love to find one of those and expand on it.”

The lights will go up on this exciting performance on June 20, with tickets now on sale at the Burrell Theatre Box Office. Don’t miss out on this heartfelt and dynamic production!