News

David Nield

DAVID NIELD

We are very sad to have to report the recent death of DAVID NIELD, who as many thousands of past members of the company will know, was a massively significant figure in the history of the National Youth Music Theatre.

David was a remarkable man, As well as serving as a wise and astute Chairman of the Trustees from 1978 – 2001, he was also a brilliant and highly versatile composer as can be seen from the most impressive list of shows he created for the company stretching from the light and witty world of music – hall comedy through big-band jazz and folk-based ballad opera to the sophisticated and often difficult world of high opera and church music. (See list below)

As well as being a skilled composer, David was also a fine church organist and choir- master, perhaps best known for the internationally celebrated reputation of the Tiffin Boys Choir which, as Director of Music at Tiffin School for 37 years, he nurtured and trained with great skill and dedication.

David was a kind and generous man and massively good company particularly round the dinner table or in the pub. He had a wicked sense of humour and a unique talent for story-telling - always delivered in that unmistakably Lancastrian accent which he never lost.

If ever the tribute ‘ He will be much missed’ was undoubtedly true this is it. And some!

Our condolences go to David’s wife, Jane and his children, Paul and Phillip

 

NYMT shows composed by DAVID NIELD

1978 HELEN COME HOME (or Achilles the Heel) - Edinburgh Festival Fringe , The Young Vic (Published by Samuel French)

1979 TIN PAN ALI – Edinburg h Festival Fringe - The Shaftesbury Theatre, The Roundhouse (1983) (Published by Josef Weinberger

1980 THE ROMAN INVASION OF RAMSBOTTOM - Edinburgh Festival Fringe, ( Fringe First Winner), The Young Vic, GRANADA TV. (Published by Josef Weinberger)

1980 STONEHENGE ARMS PARK (Edinburgh Festival Fringe)

1981 WITCHES! - Edinburgh Festival Fringe, GRANADA TV.

 

 

1982 THE TOWER OF BABEL The Lichfield Festival, The Peterborough Organ Festival, The Edinburgh International Festival (1984)

1983 DRAKE – Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Northcott Theatre, The Oxford Playhouse, The Jersey Opera House, The Theatre Royal, Plymouth (1988) (Published by Josef Weinberger)

1985 THE POWDER MONKEYS, The Cambridge Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Little Theatre, Bristol.

1986 THE RAGGED CHILD – Edinburgh International Festival, The Bergen Festival, BBC2 (Dec 1987), The Riverside Studios, Sadler’s Wells, (1993) The Triplex Theatre, New York, The Oakville Center, Toronto. The Danny Kaye Playhouse, New York. (Published by Josef Weinberger)

1991 OCTOBER’S CHILDREN – The Leeds Festival, The Edinburgh International Festival, The Swan Theatre, Stratford upon Avon, Sadler’s Wells Theatre.