PREMJU NOMINATION
CREATIVE PRACTITIONER
LUKE SAYDON
CONTENT DISCLAIMER
This website contains resources and media to support the Premju Għall-Arti nomination. All content, be it text, images, music or videos- belongs to Luke Saydon and co-creators. Despite there being photo permissions for every item on this page, those permissions were gathered for the particular project and not for general distribution. Kindly avoid unauthorised sharing, respecting our copyrights. Your confidentiality safeguards our creativity and our communities.
Thank you for understanding.
© Luke Saydon 2023
LUKE SAYDON
CREDITS BETWEEN 1.10.21 - 31.08.23
Luke Saydon, a Maltese composer, theatre maker, and producer, has firmly established himself as a dynamic creative force in both Malta and the United Kingdom. Throughout his career and this eligible time frame, Luke has been at the helm of several impactful musical theatre projects and artistic community initiatives, along with founding the innovative Saydon Studio.
His work spans socially conscious productions, including collaborations with the LGBTQI+ community ("it-Teatru tal-Miskin"), projects involving children in care ("Naughty Carriage on the Orphan Train"), a musical written with migrant communities in London ("My Way Home"), partnerships with disabled dancers and performers ("BURST"), and empowering works with LGBTQI+ activists ("Harvey Milk"). Not to mention vibrant collaborations with the Maltese LGBTQI+ community ("KOR KWIR"), the Blind and Visually Impaired Community (“AURA”), individuals living with dementia ("Sing for Your Life"), Gozitan children with limited access to theatre ("The Gozo Project"), community singers across the UK ("Some Voices"), and young performers in the UK ("British Youth Musical Theatre").
During the pandemic and in its subsequent months, Luke initiated the "Virtual Community Choir" to provide solace and entertainment to those facing loneliness, which later evolved into a captivating musical theatre podcast documenting the shared stories within this virtual community.
Luke's musical leadership extends to directing numerous choirs, including the "Some Voices Choir" in the UK, comprised of over 1,200 choir members. This experience led him to launch "KOR KWIR," a pioneering choir dedicated to the LGBTQI+ community in Malta and its allies.
Luke Saydon keeps training and growing through all this, including prestigious mentoring from Les Miserables composer Claude-Michel Schönberg as well as the prestigious BML-Book Music Lyrics Workshop, the course that writers like Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast/Little Mermaid), Ahrens and Flaherty (Anastasia/Ragtime) and Kristen and Robert Lopez (Frozen/Book of Mormon) also trained at.
Over his career, Luke has emerged as one of Malta's leading musical composers, proficiently crafting works in both Maltese and English. His unwavering commitment to community engagement earned him a Civic Award from the Hertsmere local council.
Luke Saydon is undoubtedly one of Malta's most inspiring and influential theatre visionaries, continuously creating opportunities for emerging artists and revitalising the local theatre industry. His creative endeavours enrich both the arts scene and the communities he touches.
Luke Saydon in a Claude-Michel Schönberg masterclass.
June 2022
IT-TEATRU TAL-MISKIN
Saydon Studio, September 2023 - November 2023
IT-TEATRU TAL-MISKIN is a new Maltese musical that premiered in September 2022, written, composed and produced by Luke Saydon. The piece reached out to over 1,400 audience members and participants, but more importantly actively involved 113 young people in the writing and development of it.
Brought to life by a cast who identify as members of the LGBTQI+ community, the musical is a queer coming of age story about intolerance, innate hatred and fear of “the other”. The piece actively tackles gay hate crimes, LGBTQI+ acceptance in Malta, hate speech, freedom of expression, and LGBTQI+ visibility in the arts.
The Times hailed the production as “the best thing to happen to Maltese theatre this year (2022)… packing theatre to the brim, with audiences transfixed, shattering the earth in its wake.”
Find here a review for Teatru tal-Miskin from the Times of Malta
Find here a collection of reviews and social media posts about Strand 6 - It-Teatru tal-Miskin
Find here a review for Teatru tal-Miskin from Ramona Depares
Find here for a list of participant and audience numbers involved in Programm tal-Miskin
Find here a review for Teatru tal-Miskin from Lovin' Malta
Find here for a list of creatives involved in Programm tal-Miskin
These videos have English subtitles. Press CC to access.
IL-PROGRAMM TAL-MISKIN
Saydon Studio, May 2022 - November 2023
Headed by Luke Saydon, il- Programm tal-Miskin was a multi-disciplinary programme of events across Malta and Gozo, focused on celebrating the presence, visibility and social relevance of the LGBTQI+ community- also produced by Luke Saydon. It involved an outreach project with the young LGBTQI+ community, an education programme for young theatre makers, the making of a podcast of Maltese queer stories, an art exhibition for young upcoming queer visual artists and post show Q&A’s.
IL-KOMUNITA' TAL-MISKIN
PROGRAMM TAL-MISKIN STRAND 1
A series of workshops with the young LGBTQI+ community to inspire and develop the new Maltese musical Teatru tal-Miskin. Target communities included working with members of the LGBTQI+ community, students in secondary and tertiary education levels and voluntary organisations who work with young people- all of which are at the forefront of LGBTQI+ conversations. It-Teatru tal-Miskin had to be a platform for the concerns and thoughts of this community, therefore their voice had to be present. Workshops included writing camps, focus groups, feedback sessions, informative sessions about the arts, sessions with youth workers and complimentary ticket offers for the show. The strand also ensured a partnership with the European Union Year of Youth to establish widespread (and international) awareness.
(Total of 65 participants in this strand)
L-ISKOLA TAL-MISKIN - WORKSHOPS
PROGRAMM TAL-MISKIN STRAND 2
3 workshops about queer theatre were delivered to drama students from Malta and Gozo where aspects of our unique theatre making process were also shared with young people. The workshops were entitled “theatre as an activist”. Young people with no experience of the arts were also invited through an open call. Their involvement ensured a fresh take on classical theatrical techniques marrying up social commentary with art.
(Total of 48 participants in this strand)
L-ISKOLA TAL-MISKIN - INTERNSHIPS
PROGRAMM TAL-MISKIN STRAND 3
Following the involvement of the above community, 6 young people (under 25s) were invited to be present in the rehearsal room for it-Teatru tal-Miskin (Strand 6). Through an application process, 6 young creatives from different disciplines (acting, writing/directing, tech, stage managing, composing/ sound, dance) saw the production through from rehearsals to production, were mentored by the professional company and harvested this sense of intergenerational skills being explored and implemented in the piece.
(Total of 6 participants in this strand working with 32 professional creatives)
L-ISTEJJER TAL-MISKIN - PODCAST
PROGRAMM TAL-MISKIN STRAND 4
Following the research phase of Teatru tal-Miskin, we adapted the heartfelt stories of young LGBTQI+ members into a powerful podcast, bridging the gap to the wider community who couldn't participate. Participants used their own voices and shared their stories. Piece of music from the musical were included to create a one of a kind merge of theatre and spoken history. Our program marked a pioneering effort, documenting the untold Maltese LGBTQI+ narrative in unprecedented detail. It's a beacon for future generations to learn from, be inspired by, and cherish.
(Total of 10 participants in the making of the podcast and 129 streams of the podcast)
L-ISTEJJER TAL-MISKIN EXHIBITION
PROGRAMM TAL-MISKIN STRAND 5
All the input to the programme shaped Teatru tal-Miskin which in itself was a work of art. However, aspects of the community could not be highlighted in this one piece (one such example is the Maltese queer feminine experience). Therefore, an open call was issued for artistic members of our community to commission three works of art that sparked questions, emotions and conversation about aspects of our community. These queer artists were Sam Vella, Matteo Pullicino and Klonn. The programme enabled their work to be exhibited in three venues across Malta and Gozo.
(Total of 3 artists and over 1,300 visitors to the exhibitions)
CREATIVE Q&A - Taħdita Teatru
PROGRAMM TAL-MISKIN STRAND 6
As the show toured 3 theatres in Malta and gozo, a public Q&A session was organised, providing another opportunity for community members not directly involved in the earlier phases to provide feedback and engage with the production. This early engagement allowed us to address any immediate topics, discussions, or reactions, ensuring that the community continued to play a central role in shaping the piece.
(Total of 30 attendees)
KOR KWIR
EuroPride 2023 - April- August 2023
KOR KWIR is Malta’s first queer community choir. Musically led by Luke Saydon and co-arranged by Matteo Depares, this choir is a unique safe space for people to come be who they want to be, feel warmly welcomed and express themselves through the joy of music. This non-audition choir met bi-monthly from April to August, building a new community of queer singers in preparation for EuroPride. (Over 120 participants)
CIVIC AWARD
HERSTMERE COUNCIL UK, APRIL 2022
Luke Saydon receiving a Hertsmere Civic Award from the Mayor for his artistic work in the community.
April 2022
THE NAUGHTY CARRIAGE
ON THE ORPHAN TRAIN
The Dundee Rep Theatre, Scotland, British Youth Musical Theatre, August 2023
Composed, co-written and created by Luke Saydon, The Naughty Carriage on the Orphan Train is a new musical which explores themes of home and belonging, inspired by the experiences of looked after children (CLA) and those with non-traditional families. It is the true story of the American Orphan Train which relocated 250,000 children without adoption procedures.
The production was produced by British Youth Musical Theater with a cast of over 40 young people and premiered at the Dundee Rep Theatre in Scotland.
BURST
CANDOCO Dance Company, British Youth Musical Theatre, August 2023
Candoco is a dance company which creates distinctive performances and far-reaching learning experiences. They celebrate different ways of seeing, of being and of making art, putting them at the forefront of conversation around dance and disability.
Luke composed their first musical project called BURST, bridging the creative gap between musical storytelling and contemporary dance.
GOOD VIBES/ ELECTRIC DREAMS CONCERT
Some Voices Choir, HERE at OUTERNET, APRIL 2023, JULY 2023
Performing at the heart of London’s West End, Luke musically directed the pop-choir Some Voices. Some Voices choir includes over 12,000 members all over the UK, and Luke got to direct 500 voices from this community choir for this event.
LEEDS MUSIC CONSERVATOIRE
R&D WEEKS
LEEDS MUSIC CONSERVATOIRE, JULY 2023, OCTOBER 2022 AND OCTOBER 2021
Luke was chosen by the Leeds Music Conservatoire to be a guest composer to work with the conservatoire’s Musical Theatre BA students. For these three week-long R&D processes, Luke devised new work from his catalogue with musical theatre students, and with them developed his musical The Naughty Carriage on the Orphan Train.
AURA - A Musical in the Dark Research, Development and Writing Project
Teatru Malta, January 2022
Written by Vikesh Ghodwani and Marta Vella, Luke provided the music for this unique musical delivered solely through headphones. It is a musical written with and for the BVI community, with all storytelling completely relying on sound. In January 2022, Teatru Malta commissioned Luke Saydon to provide the audio tapestry of this musical experience. For 3 weeks, the creatives and the four actors worked together to start building the post-pandemic catalogue of work for Teatru Malta. The actual production went on to be produced later in the year.
MUSEUM OF LONDON- RIVER RHYTHMS
Museum of London, Ongoing Project
Luke was commissioned by the Museum of London to create and perform an exclusive, sensory-oriented performance piece designed for Key Stage 1 and Early Years children, drawing inspiration from the Docklands Museum. To date, this project has enchanted over 800 children and their families, standing as an ongoing project that the Museum continues to embrace.
This meticulously curated experience breathes vibrant life into the gallery's exhibits, ensuring their accessibility to children, including those who are neurodivergent. Moreover, it serves as a gateway, potentially introducing children to the world of museums for the very first time.
BYMT AUDITION TOUR + DISCOVER MUSICAL DAYS
British Youth Musical Theatre, October 2022 - August 2023
Luke was recruited as both musical director and composer to work with British Youth Musical Theatre for their auditions and outreach workshops. British Youth Music Theatre is a national performing arts education charity and the largest commissioner of new musicals in the UK. They engage over 2000 11-21 year olds in our auditions, workshops, Young Company and projects; helping young people and developing artists to navigate and further their training and careers in the arts.
With BYMT Luke toured the UK (including cities like Edinburgh, Plymouth, Bristol, Leeds, Glasgow, London, Manchester and Yorkshire) serving on the audition panel as well as one of the workshop artists, inviting young talent into the industry.
THE BRITISH LIBRARY - GOLD EXHIBITION / ALEXANDER EXHIBITION / 50 Year Anniversary
The British Library - May 2022, September 2022, July 2023
Luke was commissioned by the British Library to adapt their Gold Exhibition in May 2022, their Alexander Exhibition in September 2022 and their 50th Anniversary in July 2023 - for children and families. Through sensory play, storytelling, music making, prop making and drama, Luke brought to life the exhibits, worked closely with the exhibition curators and was given the responsibility to be the first museum experience for their young patrons.
THE OTHER PALACE - HOME
The Other Palace, November 2022
Following the successful it-Teatru tal-Miskin in Malta, Luke was invited to perform excerpts of the new Maltese musical in a London venue, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Other Palace theatre. The pieces were performed in Maltese and received graciously well by an international audience.
MY WAY HOME
Britten Theatre, Royal College of Music, June 2022
Composed by Luke, My Way Home was a community musical developed with the Italian Immigrant community in London. The musical was devised, written with and starred a community of immigrants of all ages, as a response to the Brexit vote that happened some years before. The piece played to a sold out Britten Theatre and featured all original music by Luke Saydon.
HARVEY MILK
MUSICAL WORKSHOP
The Crazy Coqs Theatre, London - May 2022
Composed by Luke with lyrics by Hilmi Jaidin, Harvey Milk is a musical inspired by the first openly gay elected official in the history of California. It’s a story about a civil rights activist and his deep-seated need to protect the people he loved. It’s a story about the LGBT community learning how not to live in fear. And it’s also a story about an assassination in City Hall.
Written as part of the BML course that Luke attends, the musical received its first public presentation at the Crazy Coqs, a venue in the West End area of London.
ONGOING CHOIRS
The Dementia Choir, Potters Bar Community Choir, Some Voices Choir, Virtual Community Choir- ongoing
For many years Luke has consistently run community choirs in the UK. Mainly Sing For Your Life (a choir tailored for people living with dementia), Potters Bar Community Choir (a weekly choir for adults and seniors) and Some Voices (a pop choir with over 12,000 members).
Since the pandemic, and running for as long as mid 2022, Luke voluntarily ran a Virtual Community Choir. The project started out as a way to keep the communities he worked with in touch during lockdown, but the project ran even after face to face singing returned, ensuring the people who were still shielding as well as far away could still have their dose of community singing.
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