As well as writing “serious” novels I have enjoyed writing classroom texts and musicals based on stories from the Brothers Grimm. I write the text and the “book” and brother David, from his base in Southern Brittany adds some superb music. By March 2019, we will have produced and therefore “trialled” all three of the shows , and the linked webpages here are dedicated to the musicals.
The text versions can be found via the menu on the home page or you can link from here: Grimm Tales . Each text contains working ideas and background notes on the play including setting an historical context for the ideas behind these folk stories.
About The Authors
Barry Upton has enjoyed a career as a teacher and leader of Drama in Secondary schools as well as running youth theatres in Hull, Crewe and Retford. He has also run one-man Shakespeare workshops for primary schools across the country.
He has written and directed youth productions over the past 40 years and undertaken tours in Europe and USA including with an original youth production of Joan of Arc at The Edinburgh Festival. Subject material has varied: from Arthurian legend to Stories of the Pilgrim Fathers; from Joan of Arc to Anne Frank.
Because of his extensive writing and production experience, he has been able to create successful and entertaining scripts and libretto which lie at the heart of these musicals. Barry is an established author of novels as well as plays and musicals. For more information about his work go to https://barryuptonauthor.com
David Upton has been singing and playing musical instruments since his middle teens. Playing, singing and writing in different musical line-ups which include duos, trios, folk and pop groups throughout the sixties and seventies.
Moving to France in 1989, he has been involved in singing in different soul and blues bands. 2009 saw the start of his first Gospel groups which today number around 30 singers. Besides being the main solo artist he also writes the three part harmonies and creates the backing tracks. He has also worked in local primary schools using his musical skills to teach the English language.
David was involved in drama exchange visits to Germany and Italy, touring as a musician with a production of Romeo and Juliet.
It is his ability to arrange harmonies and create original music that lies at the heart of these catchy and memorable tunes.
BARRY UPTON AUTHOR 