19
November 2025

A History of Musicals

Welcome to The Arts Society Welwyn Garden
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - 10:30
Hawthorne Theatre
Campus West Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX
Online Event

This talk examines the journey of the musical, from its beginnings to the modern phenomenon that is Hamilton.

From Jerome Kern to Lin-Manuel Miranda, every great musical has its own story, from page to stage. This illustrated lecture will highlight the great musical productions which have graced London’s West End and Broadway and focuses upon the game-changing moments of both composers and productions. Lecturer Jamie Hayes will help you enjoy the great music, the great stories and the dynamic theatricality of their finest moments.

THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER

Mr Jamie Hayes

After training at RADA Jamie graduated as a Stage Manager and subsequently worked for Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Bristol Old Vic and the BBC. He became an Assistant Director with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Kent Opera and English National Opera and soon began directing productions of his own. He has directed many new opera productions in the UK whilst other new opera productions overseas include Reykjavik, Malta and Melbourne. Jamie was Associate Director on the original production of the hit musical Miss Saigon in the West End and on Broadway. He has directed productions in all the major UK conservatoires and was Director of Productions for British Youth Opera for over a decade, a company devoted to promoting the talents of our finest young opera singers in the UK. Jamie is a regular enrichment programme lecturer for various leading cruise ship companies. He is married to the mezzo-soprano Jean Rigby and they have three sons.