Clive Nolan is a British musician, composer and producer who has played a prominent role in the recent development of progressive and symphonic rock. Born in Gloucestershire, he was a pupil at Wycliffe College and King's School, Gloucester. He completed his B. Mus and M. Mus degrees at London University where he studied composition, orchestration and conducting. He has been the regular keyboard player in Pendragon (1986–present), Shadowland (1992–present), Strangers on a Train (1993–1994), Arena (1995–present) and Caamora (2006–present) as well as writing music and lyrics for Arena, Shadowland, Caamora and numerous other projects.
Nolan is the founder member of The Caamora Theatre Company formed to produce and perform the musicals of Clive Nolan. The premiere of 'She' took place in Katowice Wyspianski Theatre in Poland in October 2007. Subsequently, full theatrical performances of 'She' were performed in January 2010 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, followed by the eight-man 'She in Concert' variation in Holland in September 2011. In February 2012 theatrical version of 'She' debuted in the UK in Cheltenham Playhouse Theatre. Recently, the revived theatre shows were performed at the Cheltenham Playhouse in September 2015 during the anniversary event, "The Fire and the Quest" and again in Cheltenham in 2016. 'She in Concert" was also performed in Germany in 2015 and Holland in 2016.
Nolan released his second musical 'Alchemy', with libretto based on the composer's original story, early in 2013. In February 2013 the live show was recorded for the DVD at the famous Wyspianski Theatre in Katowice, Poland. The full theatrical shows of 'Alchemy' were performed by the Caamora Theatre Company at the Cheltenham Playhouse Theatre in September 2013. In 2013 and 2014 the concert version of 'Alchemy' headlined musical and theatre events in the UK (CRS, Wath) and Holland (Zoetermeer). The CRS concert was nominated for the Best Live Act of 2014. In August 2014 'Alchemy' was performed over a week at the Jermyn Street Theatre in the London Off-West End. In November 2014, 'Alchemy in Concert' took place in Reichenbach, Germany. In September 2015 the musical returned to the Cheltenham Playhouse as part of "The Fire and the Quest" festival, and next in 2017.
In 2016 the Norwegian branch of Caamora was formed from the initiative of the founder members of 'Hurum Prog', Morten L. Clason and Ingar Diskerud. Caamora Norway "Alchemy" shows featuring Clive Nolan and the all-Norwegian cast were performed in Norway in 2017. The Show in the Høytorp Fort in Mysen will be releasd on DVD.
In October 2016 Clive performed a series of concerts in Uruguay and Norway accompanied by the best opera and musical theatre artists. The Norwegian show 'An Evening with Clive Nolan and Friends' was released on DVD in 2017.
Clive's third musical 'King's Ransom' was released on CD and premiered on stage at the Cheltenham Playhouse in September 2017. Live DVD will be released in the near future.
In 2018 Clive signed both ‘Alchemy' and ‘King’s Ransom’ to a film company with a view to bringing these musicals to the silver screen. "The Professor King Chronicles" are planned to be released in cinemas in 2020 and 2021.
Clive was voted Best Keyboard Player by Classic Rock Society in the years: 1995, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016 and 2017. In 2010 the Bolivian government awarded him with the title of Honorary Visitor to Santa Cruz, Bolivia for his theatre work in the city of Santa Cruz. In 2013 he was awarded with the Polish MLWZ "Golden Lexicon Award" for Outstanding Achievements in Music for his musical 'Alchemy'.