Principal Edwards

Principal Edwards Magic Theatre began at Exeter University in 1968. with Root Cartwright (guitar, mandolin, recorders), Bindy Bourquin (recorders, violin, piano, vocals), Vivienne Macauliffe (vocals), David Jones (percussion), and Lyn Edwards (percussion), plus several other students, as a loosely-based mixed-media experiment, their eclectic and original music and dramatic lyrics complemented by fantastical lightshows and dynamic choreography. They soon came to the attention of John Peel who broadcast them on his BBC shows and made them the first band to be signed to his Dandelion record label.A clash between musical and academic activities led to the members leaving university and establishing themselves in a large farmhouse outside Kettering. The band recorded two albums, "SoundTrack" and "Asmoto Running Band", (re-released on CD by Cherry Red Records in 2006) and a single, "Ballad", and continued to tour until the end of 1971 when a divergence of priorities between theatrical and musical elements, along with business hassles, led to a break-up.A new group simply called Principal Edwards was formed in 1972 by Root, Bindy and David, who were joined by Richard Jones and then by Nick Pallett and Geoff Nicholls.This smaller, tighter unit produced a more rock-oriented though still eclectic sound, with a scaled-down theatrical element presented by the band members themselves. Over the next three years they went on the road presenting three complete stage musicals at venues all over the country: King of Changes; StoneAge Sam; The Glass White Gangster.The band secured a record deal with Deram Records who released 2 singles “Captain Lifeboy” and “Weekdaze” and an album “Round One” (released on CD in Japan in 2005). By 1974, they were managed by Miles Copeland (later to manage Police).In the summer of 1974, David was replaced briefly by Peter White (keyboards), but not before contributing lyrics to several songs which, after, extensive rehearsing in a cottage in Devon, resulted in the Devon Tapes. At the end of the year, Miles Copeland parted company with the band and Richard was approached to rejoin Climax Blues Band. Peter White went on to work with Al Stewart and the remaining members took up freelance musical work in TV, theatre and recording and education.The music on ‘The Devon Tapes’ represents a further development of the direction taken by ‘Round One’ with additional keyboard/synth parts and more complex arrangements, and the band were disappointed that the loss of business support meant that they did not get the opportunity to build on the work presented here or see it released at the time.Today Richard plays accordion with Meridian and Climax Ceilidh Band; Peter White is a best-selling smooth jazz artist; Bindy plays folk fiddle and teaches music; Nick gigs regularly and teaches music; Geoff is active both as a drummer and a writer; David runs a major media company; and Root is planning his first solo album of acoustic guitar music.