James Cleeve

Musical Director

As a Musical Director, my projects include: Yank! The Musical (Hope Mill Manchester & Charing Cross Theatre), Alice in Sunderland (National Theatre Workshop), Ushers (Arts Theatre West End), Avenue Q (Windsor Theatre Royal), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Arts Theatre), Cells (Metta Theatre), and tours of The Sound of Music (as Associate MD).

I regularly MD on the London cabaret circuit with singers including Dillie Keane, Liza Pulman, Rachel Tucker and Claire Sweeney, and I’ve played keys and accordion on shows including Top Hat (Aldwych and National Tour) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (National Tour).

As a Composer, I won the Iris Theatre Xmas Factor Award in 2018. My work includes: Emilia (licensed by Nick Hern books), Pinocchio (Orange Tree Theatre Richmond), Beginnings (a commission for the 30-piece London Accordion Orchestra) and various projects for ENO Baylis and Baseless Fabric Opera. I’m currently writing two new musicals - Oh Yes I Am! and Bette & Joan & Baby Jane - which are both in advanced stages of development. I’m a member of MMD and the Book Music & Lyrics Advanced Composers Workshop.

I’m also a strong advocate for musical education and outreach. I’m a qualified Music Therapist, and I regularly work as a choral leader and MD with the Southbank Centre, Shakespeare’s Globe, ENO, The Young Vic, Mountview and The West End Musical Choir.



www.jamescleeve.co.uk.