So through lockdown I had been producing fortnightly live digital concerts where songwriters performed new songs from their living rooms

We managed to feature over 150 writers from all over the world and it was soothing to hear new music being made even as everyone was experiencing such a tough time.

I had thought this would be a way of writers carrying on making work that could be workshopped, produced and seen after all this was over.

But one writer @HilmiJaidin saw the livestreams and came up with an idea to conceive a show specifically for this new medium. A piece about how the internet can be used to radicalise people. He premiered the first song from it at SIGNAL ONLINE 3 back in April

In August he sent me a complete draft of this dark and unsettling one act musical. Tomorrow night on October 29th at 8pm GMT we premiere the show.

It was originally written so that all the performers could stream from their homes using the technology and systems we had developed during SIGNAL ONLINE. But we decided we had to up the ante this time.

I have been privileged to have the amazing @ChrisCzornyj and @MattPowellicus working with me these past months to try and push and refine the possibilities of digital, hybrid and streamed work.

We made a plan to present the show in hybrid form. The actor playing the protagonist would join us in a Covid safe rehearsal room where we could optimise the sound and video capabilities and enhance the cinematic potential.

The remaining cast would then stream into rehearsals (and the production) from wherever they are based.

The whole show would be streamed and watched totally live. We are doing four performances and every one will be unique and distinct.

Four incredible musicians recorded the orchestrations remotely. These tracks will then be triggered and sung to live.

Since the piece had a domestic setting and since I was lacking a theatre of my own we turned my living room into a stream studio with three cameras, a sound desk, lights, a live switcher and came up with a plan that involved three computers working in parallel.

We found the most extraordinary cast of actors who were also brave enough to wrestle with technology and to perform live each night

The show is bolder, darker and messier than most new musicals. But it is soaring and emotive too. I truly believe it will appeal to those who think they love musicals and those who think they hate them alike.

Mostly it is a piece that speaks to our times. In addition the production we have crafted looks to retain some of the best things about live theatre whilst also experimenting in this new digital medium.

If you want to support what we've been up to and watch the show then you can book a ticket at http://ALPmusicals.com/shiftaltright 

The cast and band are being properly paid and our only revenue is ticket sales. We decided to keep this really cheap but this also means we need to sell as many tickets as we can.

For those who can't afford it we have also been gifted solidarity tickets by some generous audience members and you can register for one of these at http://ALPmusicals.com/shiftaltright-solidarity

Our assistant producer @TanTruman had also organised three behind the scenes zoom Q&As with the writer, cast and tech team which help support our production budget and will give an insight into making the show. You can add them to your shopping basket for only 2 pounds.

Anyway, its always a little strange and embarrassing having to repetitively promote and ask people to support new work. But I really believe in @HilmiJaidin, and I am proud of what this team has pulled together in this difficult time

I don't know anyone who has yet made a live hybrid digital new musical and I'm really proud of everyone who made this one. I hope you might join us!