Miss Hope Springs at Wigmore Hall London

Ty Jeffries talks to Helen Theophanous

May 27, 2021

Turning stereotypes on their head, Miss Hope Springs brings a carefully curated suite of bittersweet songs from her portmanteau of exquisite all-original, tragi-comic numbers with a timeless classical undertone, thoughtfully brought together for this unique occasion. Dazzlingly performed by La Springs at the piano, the ravishing music and beautiful lyrics are interspersed with a few piquant stories and the occasional well-aimed throwaway zinger—Ty Jeffries’ “blurb” for the occasion of Miss Hope Springs’ most recent appearance at the famed London classical music venue, Wigmore Hall, says it all.

Celebrating its 120th anniversary, (Wigmore Hall’s that is – not Miss Hope Springs’), and famous for hosting the most celebrated and respected international classical musicians, Wigmore recognizes the artistry of cabaret supremo Ty Jeffries—composer, lyricist, singer/pianist, character comedian, and creator of Miss Hope Springs. Following his sold-out concert there last year, he has been invited to return with a solo concert recorded and streamed for Pride month.

Ty took out time from his busy schedule to talks with us.

Helen Theophanous You are a classically trained pianist, Ty. What does it mean to you to be invited to perform at Wigmore Hall? Do you have a sense of being on hallowed ground and how did this invitation come about?

Ty Jeffries Yes, I was educated at the Purcell School of Music in Hampstead, London, specializing in piano, violin, and composition. It’s a great honor to be invited back by John Gilhooly. I feel like I’m following very big footsteps in little kitten heels.

HT How did it feel to perform to rows of empty seats, and how do you maintain that feeling of contact with your audience?

TJ To be honest it’s not the first time I’ve performed to an empty house (laughs), but this time it was due to coronavirus regulations. It’s a little unsettling performing to a huge, empty, 550 seater, but I was performing for the camera as if I was in a movie. Miss Hope Springs is really a displaced creature of the silver screen, so it worked perfectly. The room has some of the best acoustics in the world and an incredible Steinway concert grand, so it’s a dream come true to perform there. I feel incredibly lucky.

HT The atmospheric film of you on stage during rehearsal is a lovely glimpse of you at work. How did that come to be made?

TJ My good friend the actor Josh Vantyler came to keep me company backstage. He always shoots some fun reportage, and he edited the film into a charming glimpse of what the show was all about.

HT How did you select material from your extensive repertoire for this special performance?

TJ It wasn’t easy. I drew on my classical training and aimed to curate a set list which reflected the gravitas of the venue but also the fun elements of Hope. I constructed it from numbers which would be understood by an audience with perhaps a more classical frame of reference. I suppose my songs have an underlying classical quality, both melodically and harmonically, and as well as broad show tunes and big ballads, there are what I suppose you could call “art songs.”

HT It’s true you are both songwriter and lyricist with a considerable catalogue in many styles. You were signed to Elton John as a songwriter, weren’t you? Do you consider yourself to be primarily a composer and lyricist?

TJ Well, yes. I’ve been writing songs since I was five years old. I created Miss Hope Springs to sing my repertoire. Although she is portrayed as a disillusioned chanteuse, it seems her dreams are now actually coming true so I might have to start changing her story. On second thoughts, she might become unbearable if this success goes to her head! (He laughs.)

HT This performance will be shown during Pride London. What does that mean to you?

TJ It will be streamed worldwide across Wigmore Hall’s platforms during June – free to watch. The struggle for LGBTQI rights is far from over. There are almost 70 countries where it is still illegal to be gay and punishable by death in most. And LGBTQI rights are always at risk of being eroded. Conversion therapy is still legal in the UK despite the government promising to outlaw it two years ago. We cannot forget that. So, it’s wonderful to be invited back to the Wigmore Hall to celebrate the diversity of classical music.

HT You are much in demand now that lockdown is easing in the UK. Where will you be appearing next?

TJ Well, thank God I do have several sold-out shows coming up! Six shows for Brighton Fringe from May 28 – June 27. June 3-5 at Crazy Coqs Zedel, and my last show this summer is July

3rd at the Spiegeltent Brighton. Then I’m back from September right up to Christmas at Crazy Coqs and other venues UK-wide.

HT You have performed in most of the UK’s top cabaret venues and many international ones. Is there anywhere you dream of taking Miss Hope Springs?

TJ I would love to play the London Palladium and Carnegie Hall, but on the other hand, there’s also a very nice little pub in Penge.