Who'd Have Expected These People To Write Music For The RSC..?

The Royal Shakespeare Company celebrates #RSCMusicWeek this week. As we talk about all things music, take a look at some of the most unlikely people to compose music for our shows.

1. Ian Dury

He Hit the RSC with his Rhythm Stick in 1992 and 1994, writing songs for productions of 'The Country Wife' and 'A Jovial Crew'. The English rock and roll singer-songwriter is just the first of the RSC's unexpected musical collaborations...

2. Billy Bragg

RSC/Manuel Harlan / Via rsc.org.uk

The political, folk and punk rock singer-songwriter wrote the music for Shakespeare's rousing history play 'Henry V' in Edward Hall’s production in 2000.

3. Dudley Moore

RSC/Reg Wilson / Via rsc.org.uk

Better known for his Hollywood comedy hit movies 'Foul Play' with Goldie Hawn and 'Arthur' and sketches with Peter Cook. Dudley Moore started life as a choir boy and won an Organ scholarship at Oxford! He brought his musical talents to the RSC in 1962 co-composing the music for Bertolt Brecht's 'The Caucasian Chalk Circle'.

4. Laura Marling

RSC/Keith Pattison / Via rsc.org.uk

They say Laura Marling has one of the most angelic voices of her generation and is one of our greatest songwriters. She brought her award winning style to Maria Aberg's magical 2013 Production of 'As You Like It'. The cast recorded the songs, which are still available on iTunes.

5. John Wooldridge

RSC/Angus McBean / Via rsc.org.uk

Wing Commander John De Lacy Wooldridge - Royal Air Force Sergeant Pilot and Second World War Bomber Command. He wrote a book, broke a flying record, composed music for six films and wrote the music for an RSC production of The Tempest in 1951 with Richard Burton (pictured) - all before the age of 39 when he tragically died.

6. Django Django

RSC/Keith Pattison / Via rsc.org.uk

David Maclean and Tommy Grace, one half of British band Django Django have created a gothic and vengeful soundtrack for the RSC's current production of 'The White Devil'. Django Django's debut album was nominated for the 2012 Mercury Music Prize and you can see 'The White Devil' now!