Musical notes evolved from a riff

Chris Williams

The journey of a lifetime has entered its final stages for a Hamilton advertising agent who writes and performs music in his spare time.

Chris Williams, owner of King St Advertising, is set to launch his first musical - State Highway 48 - at the end of the month, which coincides with NZ Music Month.

"As with any creative person, I always have multiple ideas underway at any given time, and so it goes with my songs," said Mr Williams.

"One evening I was jamming on my piano as I do everyday, and I developed a riff that felt to me more like a TV show than a normal song. Then I decided it sounded more like a song in a musical. So I decided to write a musical, which now includes that very riff in the opening song."

State Highway 48 is directed by Nick Wilkinson, well known in Hamilton's theatre scene. Musical veteran Bryan Bevege plays the main character, Dave, a middle-aged man suffering through the perils of everyday life, the loss of a job and the breakdown of his marriage.

"The story is dramatic, emotional, humorous. It deals with such themes as the recession, depression, job loss, marriage break up and communication. It's raw and real, but it has lots of laughs and a few tears, and a happy ending. It's told through the eyes of a middle-aged couple, their kids and various friends and associates. So much of the story highlights the difference between what people are portraying versus what they are feeling. It also aims to reinforce the family unit, communication and friendship. All against the backdrop of a changing world and the challenges that come with it," he said.

With 16 cast members from around the Waikato, including Phantom of the Opera's Kersten Hickman, State Highway 48 is one of the few musicals to be written by a New Zealander.

Mr Williams said it's been a long, but fulfilling, journey.

"Note by note, song by song I made my way through it and now, five years later, I'm getting ready for the world premiere of State Highway 48."

The launch party, held on Tuesday, saw the cast perform a preview of the show which is set to run at Clarence St Theatre from July 10-12 before going nationwide.

"Broadly, I want to tell my story to a local and worldwide audience. I want them to go away fully entertained and moved but also with the feeling that they are related to the story, that some of the issues they are going through are okay, and maybe they could make some changes.

"There's lots of laughter and a few tears. It's a 21st century story. It's designed to make us feel normal, to laugh at ourselves and be happy in our skins."