Nikki Racklin

Nikki is a musical-theatre lyricist and bookwriter whose shows include Michael Morpurgo's WHY THE WHALES CAME with Bella Barlow (Theatre Royal Plymouth, The Brewhouse Taunton and The Mack Theatre Mountview), DEPTFORD WIVES (E15 Acting School and National Maritime Museum), THE WINGS OF THE DOVE, based on the novel by Henry James (Criterion Theatre) and HALF BROKEN THINGS, an adaptation of Morag Joss’s award-winning thriller (Seven Dials Playhouse). Opera commissions include LOVE ME TO DEATH: THE RUTH ELLIS OPERA (Barbican Pit Theatre and Tête à Tête Opera Festival), CROMWELL (St Ives Choral Society) and SUGARBIRD (National Opera Studio).

Alongside Ben Glasstone, Nikki is currently developing MINI – a glam rock musical based on a true story (The Other Palace, with further development this Autumn with National Youth Music Theatre). She has written the lyrics for BETTE AND JOAN AND BABY JANE, with music by James Cleeve and book by Tracy-Ann Oberman and Shaun McKenna (concert performances at The Other Palace, JW3, and a new workshop in the pipeline). Nikki’s new song cycle SHADOW PUPPETS explores the cult of celebrity and features music by over a dozen different composers. It is being developed later this year with students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire.