"When you write orchestrations, you absorb the language of the songwriters. And to write beautiful orchestrations,

you have to lose yourself in their language, and recreate it yourself."

- Danny Troob 

 

Martin's love of theatre began while playing in school productions of musicals including; 'Guys And Dolls', 'A Chorus Line' and 'Les Misérables'. He was captivated by the all-encompassing style of music and, whilst still at school, began working on new arrangements in his spare time. By the end of his secondary education he was not only performing with local bands, but writing orchestrations for them too.

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It was at The University of Birmingham where Martin met the composer/musical director Alex Parker, with whom he has collaborated ever since. Martin has orchestrated all of Alex's original musicals including; 'After You' - the first commissioned musical at Crazy Coqs Zedel, 'Amateur Dramatics: A Musical Comedy' which entered professional workshops in 2017, and a musical adaptation of 'The Railway Children' which will be presented in concert early next year.

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Martin is also the resident orchestrator for the Alex Parker Theatre Company who put on a number of theatrical revues and cabarets throughout the year in the west end. The latest being 'Sondheim: Smiles of A Summer Night', a celebration of Stephen Sondheim's most popular songs, mixed with a few rare gems, all accompanied by a 33 piece orchestra.

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"Martin Higgins - The author of the masterly orchestrations, both lush and deft, that provided the greatest pleasures and surprises."

- Britishtheatre.com

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Scroll down to hear examples of Martin's orchestrations.

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Theatre Credits:

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- 'Henrietta' - TBC, London (2020)

  [Orchestrator] Production by NYMT,  Music by Alex Parker, Lyrics by Katie Lam

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- 'This Christmas' - The Other Palace, London (2019)

  [Orchestrator] Production & Musical Direction by Alex Parker

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- 'The Color Purple' - Leicester Curve/Birmingham Hippodrome, UK Tour (2019)

  [Orchestrator] Produced by Curve At Leicester and Birmingham Hippodrome, Directed by Tinuke Craig

* Winner of 2020 Whatsonstage Award - 'Best Regional Production"

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- 'Screamphone' - Edinburgh Fringe (2019), UK Tour (2020)

  [Orchestrator] Produced by Swipe Right Theatre, Directed by Tom Parry

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- 'West End Does: The Magic of Animation 2' - Cadogan Hall, London (2019)

  [Orchestrator] Produced by Rob Houchen, Musical Direction by Alex Parker

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- 'Whatsonstage Awards' - Prince of Wales Theatre, London (2015 - Present)

  [Orchestrator] Music Supervision by Alex Parker, Directed by Russell Labey

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- 'A West End Christmas' - Cadogan Hall, London (2018)

  [Orchestrator] Produced by Club 11 London & Take Two Theatricals, Musical Direction by Alex Parker

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- 'West End Does: Bond' - Leicester Square Theatre, London (2018)

  [Orchestrator] Produced by Rob Houchen, Musical Direction by Ryan Mackenzie

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- 'West End Does: The Magic of Animation' - Cadogan Hall, London (2018)

  [Orchestrator] Produced by Rob Houchen, Musical Direction by Alex Parker

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- 'Merrily We Roll Along' - Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford (2018)

  [Additional Orchestrations] Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim 

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- 'Carrie Hope Fletcher In Concert' - Cadogan Hall, London (2018)

  [Orchestrator] Produced by Club 11 London

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- 'The Railway Children' - Cadogan Hall, London (2018)

  [Orchestrator] Music by Alex Parker, Book & Lyrics by Katie Lam

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- 'Sondheim: Smiles of A Summer Night' - Cadogan Hall, London (2017)

  [Orchestrator] Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Music Supervision by Alex Parker

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- 'Fortune Lane - The Musical' - Workshop, London (2017)

  [Orchestrator] Music & Lyrics by Olivia Thomas

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- 'Working'* - Southwark Playhouse, London (2017)

  [Orchestrator] Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz & More, Book by Schwatz & Nina Faso

* Nominated for 2018 Whatsonstage Award - 'Best Off-West End Production"

* Nominated for 2018 Offie Award "Best Musical Production"

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- 'After You' - Crazy Coqs, London (2017)

  [Orchestrator] Music by Alex Parker, Book & Lyrics by Katie Lam

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- 'Wonderland' - U.K. Tour (2017)

  [Music Copyist] Music by Frank Wildhorn, Lyrics by Jack Murphy

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- 'All Aboard' - Electric Theatre, Guildford (2016)

  [Orchestrator] Music by Alex Parker, Book & Lyrics by Katie Lam

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- 'West End Miscast' - St. Pauls Church, London (2016)

  [Orchestrator] Music Supervision by Isaac McCullough

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- '2 Become 1' - Edinburgh Fringe & Kings Head Theatre, London (2016)

  [Composer/Arranger] Book by Kerrie Thomason & Natasha Granger

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- 'Kings of Broadway' - Palace Theatre, London (2015)

  [Orchestrator] Music by Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman and Jule Styne

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- 'Paul Baker - A Baker's Dozen' - 54 Below, New York City (2015)

  [Orchestrator] Directed by Paul Baker

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- '808s & Heartbreak' - Kanye West at The Hollywood Bowl (2015)

  [Music Copyist] Music by Kanye West, Orchestrations by Rupert Cross & Rosie Danvers

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- 'Playing Our Part'* - Cadogan Hall, London (2015)

  [Orchestrator] Directed & Produced by Nadim Naaman

* Nominated for Broadwayworld.com's 'Theatrical Event of The Year" Award.

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- 'Amateur Dramatics: A Musical Comedy' - Electric Theatre, London (2014)

  [Orchestrator] Music by Alex Parker, Book & Lyrics by Katie Lam

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- 'Hamlisch' - St. James Theatre, London (2014)

  [Orchestrator] Music Supervision by Alex Parker, Directed by Alastair Knights

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- 'Encore' - Recorded Live At Abbey Road (2012)

  [Orchestrator] Debut Album by Martin Dickinson, Music Supervision by Alex Parker

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