Composer / songwriter

Mike Hatchard's career has been extremely varied. He has written three musicals which have been staged at the George Square Theatre, Edinburgh and the Secombe Centre, Sutton. He has been a finalist for the Vivian Ellis Prize. He has also written two works recorded by the Northern Saxophone Quartet and Beverley Davison and two suites, How Pleasant to know Mr. Lear (performed with Linda Grace) and White Rabbit performed with award-winning saxophonist Alan Barnes.

Accompanist and other recordings

Mike has accompanied literally hundreds of singers including Salena Jones, David Essex, Matt Monro, Jamie Cullum, Cleo Laine, Maxine Daniels, Tina May, Jackie Dankworth, Marion Montgomery, Norma Winstone and Julia Migenes. He has also recorded with Cleo Laine, Claire Hamill, Alan Barnes, Shufflejazz, Tina May, Martin Drew, Clark Tracey and Andra Sparks.

Cabaret

Mike Hatchard has appeared in cabaret at Madame Tussaud's, the King George V Hotel, the Ivy, the BBC Concert Hall, Brussels IBM Centre, the Oberoi, New Delhi and the American Embassy, London. At the Edinburgh Festival Mike achieved cult status under the alter-ego of Marvin Hanglider. He has performed his one-man-show at numerous theatres including the Purcell Room, Southbank, the River Side Barn, The Atheneum, the Lyric Hammersmith, The Stables, Brighton Pavilion, Stratford Royal, Falmouth Arts Centre, Jersey Arts Centre, Epsom Playhouse, Holyhead Arts Centre, Gardener Theatre, De La Warr Pavilion and Komedia. Guests in Mike Hatchard's Edinburgh Show have included Jim Tavare, Graham Norton and Ned Sherrin.

Comedy

Mike has also worked with comedians Freddy Starr, Frankie Howerd (including a co-written song Primeval Scream) and Pamela Stephenson (as musical director). In recent years Mike Hatchard's name has been closely associated with ex-Sky supremo Herbie Flowers - together they have performed in theatres, clubs, prisons, centres for the disabled and notably at Dartington International Summer School. Although they ostensibly perform music together, many regard them almost as a comedy duo. Mike and Herbie have recorded three CDs including The Business on Za Za.

Other activities

Mike Hatchard is also musical director for internationally acclaimed songwriter Tony Macaulay. Also a violinist, Mike performs in When Menuhin met Grappelli with Helen Sherrah-Davies. He is also a published cartoonish/caricaturist with two TV series to his credit: After the News (Carlton TV) and Face the Hanglider (CTV). He has taught piano at Worth Abbey, Dartington International Summer School and worked as a consultant for Yahama, Akai and Digigram.

Mike Hatchard / Marvin Hanglider/ live music / jazz / cabaret act / entertainment / entertainer / song-writer / accompanist / pianist / UK / Sussex / Hastings / Eastbourne / Bexhill / Rye / Brighton