I’m beginning work on a musical play about John Maynard Keynes. I’m a songwriter and lyricist looking to collaborate with a book writer.
John Maynard Keynes was a man of contrasts. He had the mind of a brilliant economist but the heart of a bohemian who felt the love of money was a “disgusting morbidity.” He was a patriotic Englishman who helped FDR beat the Great Depression in the USA. An uninhibited gay man who fell in love with and married a ballerina. An optimist of sunny disposition who prophesied the tragedy of World War II. He was the father of modern macroeconomics who tried – and failed – to save capitalism from itself.
Keynes and the other men and women of the Bloomsbury Set scandalized bourgeois London society. They were brilliant artists and thinkers living in a commune where the only taboo was jealousy. Wild parties and polyamorous intrigue were commonplace, as were passionate debates about love, art and – after their friends started dying in World War I – politics as well.
Keynes called out stupidity, greed and hypocrisy as he pursued social justice, peace, stability, and prosperity for all. He was admired by many as a common-sense revolutionary, but attacked as naïve by neoliberals from the right and socialists from the left.
I’m searching for a book writer to help me dramatize the question of Keynes’ life: how do you work in the world of money and power while living for love and keeping the faith of your dearest friends?
About me: I’m an experienced singer, pianist, bassist and songwriter in jazz, rock and classical styles (see www.davidthornescott.com). My songs emphasize storytelling, prosody, singable melody, and distinctive harmony. I have never written a musical play, so I’d like to team up with someone with experience writing for the theater.
If you are interested in collaborating on this project, please get in touch. I’m happy to privately share scores and demo recordings of my music beyond what is available on my recorded albums.
David Thorne Scott
thornewood@gmail.com