George Mallory musical by Cheshire composer to hit Lowry stage

The colourful story of Mallory, who led the first attempted ascent of Everest in 1924, captured the imagination of Wilmslow composer Ollie Mills.

The 29-year-old learned of Mallory's life after finding a book about him in York University library, while there studying musical composition.

Now, after composing the lyrics and music, Ollie is excited to see Mallory on the Mountain coming to the stage at the Lowry Theatre in Salford later this month.

He said: “Growing up in Cheshire, I find it so interesting that this really cool corner of history actually originated so near my own hometown.

“It’s a mammoth task, transforming a story like this for the stage, because the thing that most interests people about Mallory are his adventures on Everest and the mystery of his disappearance – but actually, there’s this rich history that precedes that.

Ollie Mills (Image: Ollie Mills)

“He was already 30 before he even thought about Everest.

“He’d done all sorts of things before that and gotten himself involved with all sorts of weird and wacky people, and these are really juicy stories ripe and ready for transforming into theatre.  

“I’m just trying to do my best to tell the most interesting and entertaining version of the story, making sure I’m picking out the right chapters of his life."

Mallory on the Mountain unfolds through flashbacks as George recounts details of his past to friend and fellow climber Andrew 'Sandy' Irvine each time the pair stop to rest. 

Mallory’s father Herbert Leigh-Mallory was vicar of St Wilfred’s Church, Mobberley, as were several generations of Mallory men before him.

It was thought that George would follow his forefathers into the church, but after being chosen for a mountaineering expedition to Switzerland while at Winchester School, his vocation as an adventurer was confirmed.

Ollie added: “The thing that really gets to people about the Mallory story is the question - did he make it to the summit, or did he not?

“He and Sandy Irvine attempted the summit on June 8 or 9, 1924, and went missing - never to be seen again - until Mallory’s body was found 75 years later by some American climbers.

“When I tell people about that, they say ‘Oh, I remember the news stories’."

A concert performance of the new musical will take place at the the Lowry Theatre in Salford as part of their mini-musical theatre festival REWRITES on Wednesday, October 19.