Simon Slater

{{For|the British dance music producer Simon Slater|Gat Decor}} {{BLP sources|date=July 2010}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | honorific_prefix = | name = Simon Slater | honorific_suffix = | image = | image_upright = | image_size = | landscape =  | alt = | caption = | background = non_vocal_instrumentalist | native_name = | native_name_lang = | birth_name =  | alias = | birth_date = 28 November 1959 | birth_place = Scarborough, North Riding of Yorkshire | origin = | death_date =  | death_place = | genre = | occupation = Music director, composer, narrator, and actor | instrument = Piano, double bass, saxophone, clarinet, ukulele | years_active =  | label = | website = {{Official website|https://slatermusic.com}} | module = | module2 = | module3 = }}

'''Simon Slater''' (born 28 November 1959) is a British music director, composer, narrator, and actor. He has composed more than 300 original music scores for film, theatre, TV and radio, and is a member of the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters.<ref name=AirEdel>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Simon Slater - Air Edel - Composer - Musical Director|url=https://www.air-edel.co.uk/representation/simon-slater/|access-date=22 November 2020|website=Air-Edel|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2010, Slater's narration of ''Wolf Hall'' by Hilary Mantel won two awards; an Audie Award for Literary Fiction and an AudioFile magazine Earphone Award.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Audie Awards 2010 |url=https://www.bookreporter.com/features/awards/the-audie-awards-2010 |website=bookreporter.com |publisher=Bookreporter |access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref> For best sound designer in the 2013 play ''Constellations'', he was nominated an Olivier Award.<ref>{{cite web |title=Olivier Winners 2013 |url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-2013/ |website=officiallondontheatre.com |publisher=Society of London Theatre |access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref>

==Early life and education==

Simon Slater was born in Filey Road, Scarborough, North Riding of Yorkshire, the son of a sailor known as the ''Prospect Of Whitby'' yachtsman Arthur Slater.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prospect of Whitby III |url=https://sparkmanstephens.org/members-yachts/prospect-of-whitby-iii |website=sparkmanstephens.org |date=14 December 2019 |publisher=Sparkman Stephens |access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref><ref name="Hutchinson2016">{{Cite web|last=Hutchinson|first=Charles|date=26 December 2016|title=Composer Simon Slater returns to Scarborough roots for SJT's Pinocchio|url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/theatre/14987908.composer-simon-slater-returns-to-scarborough-roots-for-sjts-pinocchio/|access-date=21 November 2020|website=York Press|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Darley">{{Cite web|last=Darley|first=Karen|date=21 October 2020|title=Actor to return home for one-man thriller|url=https://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/news/18796975.actor-return-home-one-man-thriller/|access-date=21 November 2020|website=Gazette and Herald|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Ahad2019">{{Cite web|last=Ahad|first=Nick|date=5 December 2019|title=Mamma Mia! theatre star Simon Slater heads home to Scarborough to create music for Treasure Island Christmas production|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/theatre-and-stage/mamma-mia-theatre-star-simon-slater-heads-home-scarborough-create-music-treasure-island-christmas-production-1746283|access-date=21 November 2020|website=The Yorkshire Post|language=en}}</ref> As a young child he became inspired by his music teacher at Bramcote School.<ref name="Hutchinson2016"/> In 1972, he joined Sedbergh School, where he was a student until 1977.<ref name=SebSchool>[https://www.sedberghschool.org/media/SSF%20The%20Sedbergh%20School%20Media%20and%20Performing%20Arts%20Timeline.pdf "The Sedbergh Media and Performing Arts Timeline"]. [https://www.sedberghschool.org Sedbergh School Website].</ref> Growing up in Scarborough, he lived not far from the Stephen Joseph Theatre, where his parents took him to see plays by Alan Ayckbourn.<ref name="Hutchinson2016"/> Later, he gained admission to Goldsmiths College at the University of London.<ref name="Pinero2016">{{cite book|last=Pinero|first=Arthur Wing |title=The Notorious Mrs Ebbsmith|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=STU2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT12|year=2016|publisher=Oberon Books|isbn=978-1-78319-789-7|page=12}}</ref>

==Career== Slater has composed more than 300 original music scores for film, theatre, TV and radio,<ref>{{cite web |title=Simon Slater |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0805431/ |website=imdb.com |publisher=IMDB |access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Simon Slater |url=https://www.air-edel.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Simon-Slater-Bio-2020-2.pdf |website=air-edel.co.uk |publisher=Air-Edel |access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref><ref name=Wilk2020>{{Cite web|last=Wilkinson|first=Sue|date=14 October 2020|title=Jemma Redgrave and Simon Slater in rehearsed reading of Hansard at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre|url=https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/arts-and-culture/theatre-and-stage/jemma-redgrave-and-simon-slater-rehearsed-reading-hansard-scarboroughs-stephen-joseph-theatre-3002512|access-date=24 November 2020|website=www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk|language=en}}</ref> which have included BBC Radio 3,<ref>{{cite web |title=Lockdown Theatre Festival |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000k26n |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref> Channel 5,<ref>{{cite web |title=Impact Earth (TV) |url=https://www.filmaffinity.com/uk/film864418.html |website=filmaffinity.com |publisher=Film Affinity UK |access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Inquisition (2002 TV Movie) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385781/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ql_cl |website=imdb.com |publisher=IMDB |access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref> and West End theatre productions.<ref name=SebSchool/> He is a member of the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters.<ref name=SebSchool/>

For three years he worked as a composer on the plays ''Henry V'' and ''Julius Caesar'' for the Royal Shakespeare Company.<ref>{{cite web |title=2008/2009 Annual Report |url=https://cdn2.rsc.org.uk/sitefinity/corporate/rsc-annualreport2008-09.pdf?sfvrsn=bf535f21_2 |website=rsc.org.uk |publisher=Royal Shakespeare Company |access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sapho & Phao |url=https://www.rsc.org.uk/sapho-and-phao/ |website=rsc.org.uk |publisher=Royal Shakespeare Company |access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref> He wrote the music for ''Macbeth'', starring Sean Bean<ref>{{cite web |last1=Loveridge |first1=Lizzie |title=Macbeth |url=http://www.curtainup.com/macbethalbery.html |website=curtainup.com |publisher=CurtainUp |access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref> and wrote the music for ''The Blood Libel'' for Radio 4.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

He also composed for many productions at Hampstead Theatre Club,<ref>{{cite web |title=ENLIGHTENMENT |url=https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2010/enlightenment/ |website=hampsteadtheatre.com |publisher=Hampstead Theatre |access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wonderland |url=https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/news/2014/07/wonderland-live-stream-now-closed/ |website=hampsteadtheatre.com |publisher=Hampstead Theatre |access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=JUDE |url=https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2019/jude/ |website=hampsteadtheatre.com |publisher=Hampstead Theatre |access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref> The Liverpool Everyman,<ref>{{cite web |title=Land of Our Fathers |url=https://www.everymanplayhouse.com/whats-on/land-of-our-fathers |website=everymanplayhouse.com |publisher=Everyman Playhouse |access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mary Shelley's Frankenstein |url=https://www.everymanplayhouse.com/whats-on/mary-shelleys-frankenstein |website=everymanplayhouse.com |publisher=Everyman Playhouse |access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref>Bristol Old Vic,<ref>{{cite web |title=Archangels Don't Play Pinball |url=https://theatricalia.com/play/5fw/archangels-dont-play-pinball/production/c0f |website=theatricalia.com |publisher=Theatricalia |access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref> the Bush Theatre,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wolf |first1=Matt |title=The Maiden's Prayer |url=https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/the-maiden-s-prayer-1200460225/ |website=variety.com |date=24 January 2000 |publisher=Variety |access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref> and Young Vic.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}

===Television=== Slater has appeared in several TV series, including ''Heartbeat'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Heartbeat: Simon Slater |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101114/characters/nm0805431 |website=imdb.com |publisher=IMDB |access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref> ''Inspector Morse'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Inspector Morse: Simon Slater |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092379/characters/nm0805431 |website=imdb.com |publisher=IMDB |access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref> ''Hotel Babylon'',{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} ''Monarch of the Glen'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Monarch of the Glen: Simon Slater |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238793/characters/nm0805431 |website=imdb.com |publisher=IMDB |access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref> and as Inspector Kite in ''The Bill''.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Bill: Simon Slater |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0525245/characters/nm0805431 |website=imdb.com |publisher=IMDB |access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref><ref name=Vienna>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2011|title=Performer {{!}} Viennas English Theatre|url=http://www.englishtheatre.at/english/about-us/archive/season-201112/bloodshot/performer.html|access-date=26 November 2020|website=www.englishtheatre.at}}</ref> He also appeared in ''Birds of a Feather'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Birds of a Feather: Simon Slater |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096545/characters/nm0805431 |website=imdb.com |publisher=IMDB |access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref> the ''Doctor Who'' story "Terror of the Vervoids", ''Lovejoy'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Lovejoy: Simon Slater |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0637213/characters/nm0805431 |website=imdb.com |publisher=IMDB |access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref> and ''Where the Heart Is''.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

===Theatre=== thumb|The Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough At the Stephen Joseph Theatre he was invited to compose the music for four actor-musicians in the Christmas adaptation of ''Pinocchio'' in which they play an array of instruments covering 30 roles.<ref name="Hutchinson2016"/> The production ended in 2016.<ref name="Hutchinson2016"/> Other Christmas shows he directed music for at the SJT include ''A Christmas Carol'' and ''Alice in Wonderland''.<ref name=SJT>[https://www.live.org.uk/sites/default/files/attachments/FREESHEET.pdf Build a Rocket]. Stephen Joseph Theatre and Tara Finney Productions </ref>

Slater also wrote or co-wrote the songs for Christmas shows ''Cinderella'' at Theatre Royal, Winchester, ''The Santa Trap'' for The Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, and ''Little Red Riding Hood'' at the Chelsea Theatre.<ref name="Hutchinson2016"/>

His work as a theatrical actor includes a five-year run in the musical ''Mamma Mia!'' as Sam Charmichael,<ref name=Wilk2020/> as well as ''Forbidden Broadway'' (Fortune), ''Sugar Hill Blues'' (Hampstead and Warehouse Croydon), ''The Great White Hope'' (Tricycle), ''Aspects of Love'' (Sydmonton Festival), ''Waiting for Godot'', and ''The Wind in the Willows'' (Nuffield Southampton). He appeared in the Theatre Royal (Winchester) production of Peter Pan the Pantomime playing Captain Hook during the Christmas season of 2010/2011. He also wrote all the music for the show.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

In 2016 he was musical director for Amadeus at the Royal National Theatre.<ref name="Hutchinson2016"/><ref name=SJT/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sutton-Williams |first1=Natasha |title=An Interview with Simon Slater |url=https://www.culturecalling.com/uk/features/an-interview-with-simon-slater-on-amadeus-at-the-national-theatre |website=culturecalling.com |publisher=Culture Calling |access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref>

===Music=== He plays piano, double bass, saxophones, clarinet, guitar, piano accordion,<ref name=SebSchool/> ukulele, and mandolin.<ref name=AirEdel/>

He has written the musical score to the aerial show, 'Zoetrope' which is being produced by the theatre company Kinematic Theatre. The show debuts at Rose Bruford College's Rose theatre in late September. Simon has also written music for the Royal Shakespeare company and other London Theatres, including work at Sloane Square Theatre, The Royal Court.

===Film=== In the film ''The Iron Lady'', Slater played the role of Chris Patten.<ref name=Vienna/>

===Audio=== In 2010, Slater's narration of ''Wolf Hall'' by Hilary Mantel won an Audie Award for Literary Fiction.<ref name=Audie2010>{{Cite web|title=2010 Audie Awards® - APA|url=https://www.audiopub.org/winners/2010-audies|website=www.audiopub.org|access-date=22 May 2020}}</ref> and an AudioFile magazine Earphone Award.<ref name=Audiobook2010>{{Cite web|title=Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel Read by Simon Slater {{!}} Audiobook Review|url=http://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/51218/wolf-hall-by-hilary-mantel-read-by-simon-slater/|website=AudioFile Magazine|language=en|access-date=22 May 2020}}</ref>

In 2018, he read Hans Rosling's ''Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think''.<ref name=Times2018>{{Cite news|last=Hardyment|first=Christina|year=2018|title=Review: Factfulness by Hans Rosling, read by Simon Slater|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/review-factfulness-by-hans-rosling-read-by-simon-slater-nhq2bs9r9 | work=The Times}}</ref>

==Filmography== ===Film===

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1989 | ''Dealers'' | Eamonn Doyle | |- | 1999 | ''Entrapment'' | Paul |- | 2011 | ''The Iron Lady'' |Chris Patten |<ref name=Vienna/> |}

===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1987 | ''The Bill'' | Inspector Kite | 12 episodes |- | 1988-2013 | ''Casualty'' | Various | 4 Episodes |- | 1996-98 | ''Out of Sight'' | Mr. Thomas | 9 episodes |- |2000-01 | ''Monarch of the Glen'' |Fleming |3 episodes |- |2021-22 | ''Holby City'' | Russell Faber | 19 episodes |}

===Stage=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Production ! Character/contribution ! Director ! Company ! Notes and references |- | 2012 | ''Constellations'' | Music composer | |Royal Court, Duke of York's Theatre | Premiered at the Royal Court in 2012 before transferring to the Duke of York's Theatre.<ref name="Hutchinson2016"/><ref name="Pinero2016"/> Slater received an Olivier Award nomination for his music.<ref name=AirEdel/> |- | | ''Great Expectations'' | | | Vaudeville Theatre |<ref name="Urch2013"/><ref name="Pinero2016"/> |- | | ''Cannibals'' | | | Royal Exchange in Manchester |<ref name="Pinero2016"/><ref name="Urch2013"/> |- | | ''The lady and the van'' | | |Hull Truck Theatre |<ref name="Pinero2016"/> |- | | ''Death of a salesman'' | | |West Yorkshire Playhouse |<ref name="Pinero2016"/> |- | | ''The Life of Stuff'' | | | |<ref name="Urch2013">{{cite book|last=Urch|first=Chris |title=Land of Our Fathers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SZ9OAQAAQBAJ&pg=PT6|year=2013|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-4725-3139-1|page=6}}</ref> |- | | ''No naughty Bits, Enlightenment'' | | |Hampstead Theatre |<ref name="Pinero2016"/> |- | 2014 | ''Bloodshot'' | Derek | Douglas Post | St James's Theatre | A one-man thriller.<ref name=AirEdel/><ref name="Darley"/> |- |2015 |''Carmen Disruption'' | |Michael Longhurst | Almeida Theatre | <ref name=AirEdel/> |- | 2016 | ''Amadeus'' | | National Theatre | | |- | | | | | |''King Lear'' and ''Romeo and Juliet'' directed by Neil Bartlett, which had a sell-out national tour and season at Stratford.<ref name=AirEdel/> |- |}

===Radio=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Comments ! class="unsortable" | References |- | |''The Report'' |A documentary series on BBC Radio 4 |<ref name=AirEdel/> |- | | ''8 Days in July'' |Directed by Hugh Levinson for the BBC and based on the 2005 bombings in London |<ref name=AirEdel/><ref name="Owen2017">{{cite book|author=Gary Owen|title=Killology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1TY2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT5|year=2017|publisher=Oberon Books|isbn=978-1-78682-169-0|page=5}}</ref> |- | |''The Blood Libel'' |Directed by Hugh Levinson for the BBC |<ref name=AirEdel/> |}

==Awards and nominations==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:85%;" |- style="text-align: center;" ! style="width:5%;"| Year ! style="width:25%;"| Organisation ! style="width:35%;"| Award ! style="width:25%;"| Nominated work ! style="width:10%;"| Result |- | 2010 | | *AudioFile magazine Earphone Award<ref name=Audiobook2010/> *Audie Award for narration<ref name=Audie2010/> | ''Wolf Hall'' | {{won}} |- | 2013 | | Olivier Award for best sound design<ref name="Hutchinson2016"/><ref name="Pinero2016"/> | ''Constellations'' |{{nom}} |- | | |Off West End Award Nomination for best sound design.<ref name="Pinero2016"/> |''The Life of Stuff'' <ref name="Urch2013"/> |{{nom}} |- | | | Manchester Evening News Awards | ''James and the Giant Peach'' |{{won}} |- |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{Official website|https://slatermusic.com}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Slater, Simon}} Category:English male television actors Category:English male musical theatre actors Category:English male stage actors Category:Alumni of Goldsmiths, University of London Category:1959 births Category:Living people Category:Male actors from Scarborough, North Yorkshire Category:People educated at Sedbergh School Category:Audiobook narrators Category:Music directors Category:British male composers