THE GYPSY SALESMAN

from the Original Cast Recording

Red is Paul Boyd's musical version of the world's oldest story, Little Red Riding Hood, and it was commissioned and originally produced by An Grianán Theatre in Co. Donegal.  

The show tells the story of a troupe of travelling gypsies who camp by the edge of a dark wood and gather to tell stories around a camp fire.  The sound of wolves howling from deep within the forest leads the characters to tell the story of one of their ancestors - a mysterious girl who wore a red hood.

Extensive research into fairy tales played an important part in the writing process of Red and the many versions of the Little Red Riding Hood story, with their various endings, are used to create an exciting and fun finale to the musical.

The show is performed by a cast of five, has been staged in two full professional productions since its creation in 2000, and the Red original cast recording CD became one of pbm's best-selling releases.  The cast recording was re-released in 2017 to mark 25 years of pbm and is available to buy online or by mail order (click here).

In 2005 pbm toured Red as part of “The Red Project”, the company's musical theatre training programme where students rehearse with a professional cast and crew before appearing on stage in public performances.  pbm has regularly presented Red as the central production of its annual musical theatre training programmes in theatres across Ireland ever since.

Special versions of two songs from the show, "I'm Your Man" and "Basket On The Ground" feature on Paul Boyd's greatest hits album One Night Stand which is available to download from online retailers or on CD by mail order (click here).

"Boyd explores the many versions of this classic tale through music and dance ... A checklist of catchy tunes from the talented Boyd"  

Belfast Telegraph

"Composer and lyricist Paul Boyd has carved out a unique position for himself in the kaleidoscope of Ireland’s musical theatre ... he again demonstrates his insights into the successes of the West End musical ... with tunes as potentially popular as any of Lloyd-Webber’s ... Here’s all the broad sweep of the West End ... that manages the astonishing feat of entertaining both ancients and toddlers in equal doses"  

Belfast News Letter

WHEN THE NIGHT IS CLEAR

from the Original Cast Recording

I'M YOUR MAN

this version released on the ONE NIGHT STAND album - click here