Owner of theatre company writes, stages and directs a brand new musical for her dad's 60th birthday - The Droitwich Standard

Owner of theatre company writes, stages and directs a brand new musical for her dad's 60th birthday

Droitwich Editorial 23rd Oct, 2017 Updated: 23rd Oct, 2017   0

THE OWNER of a theatre company, which runs sessions in Droitwich, presented her dad with the surprise of a lifetime when she wrote, staged and directed a musical for his 60th birthday present

And incredibly, when he arrived at Bromsgrove’s Artrix theatre on Sunday musician Paul Edwards had no idea exactly what Jo Payne was planning.

Delayed, premiered at the School Drive venue, was inspired by one of Paul’s songs ‘Brown Haired Girl’ about two strangers who met on a railway station and, despite speaking different languages, had a conversation using hand gestures and an old photograph.

It also featured many of his songs, all carefully knitted together to tell a breathtaking story.




Jo, who owns The Star Project Theatre School with classes in Barnt Green, Droitwich and Solihull, set up a new charitable company, ‘Quiet Gifts’, in 2016, to support young people who have never had the opportunity to ‘let their quiet theatrical gifts shine’.

Thanks to National Lottery funding secured in spring 2017, Jo was able to give young people the chance to work with professionals from the performing arts industry as Quiet Gifts put its first project in motion with Delayed.


She spent over a year putting the piece together, forming the cast and holding weekly rehearsals every Sunday.

It reflected many aspects of his life and also the many messages he had taught her during her life.

Jo wrote in the programme notes: “Dad’s songs are a diary of his journey and a big chapter of mine.

“When I was a little girl my bedroom was directly above the dining room where my dad would practise his guitar until late at night.

“I would fall asleep to the sound of him picking the guitar strings and the promise of a new song.

“Some people spend their lives following around their football team or favourite band.

“I’ll always be the first in line to support my dad’s talent or to buy his new album.

“It’s time the world knew of his music just like I know of his love.

“Happy 60th birthday Dad – I got you a musical.”

After seeing the show Paul told The Standard: “It was as hard to believe that I knew nothing about this.

“I knew something was happening but this has been a complete surprise.

“I was told I was coming to a private party and thought a few friends might have put on a concert for me but nothing like this.

“I was the kind of child who didn’t even peek at his birthday presents so maybe that’s how she kept it such a secret.

“Had Cilla still been alive, this would’ve been perfect for her show.”

On the musical itself he said: “Jo has done such an amazing job and there were so many truisms in there.

“She’s taken the stories of my songs and knitted them together on a journey of life.

“The story is about how our lives should be and includes things you would have liked to have happened rather than what actually did.

“She made it more of a perfect world on the stage and that is how it should be.

“Maybe sometimes people don’t get to say goodbye to people they love but they can on the stage.

“The messages were so strong and that is what I am most proud of. The fact she has taken all these messages she has learnt growing up and put them on that stage tonight.”

And he said Jo had set the bar high for daughters everywhere.

“It’s so hard to be that original and I don’t think anything like this has been done before.

“To write, stage and direct a musical for your dad’s 60th birthday gift is pretty incredible.”

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