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About Josh

Josh graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts with an MA with Distinction in Musical Direction in 2021, following his First-Class BA in Music from Oxford University (2020). He also trained at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Junior Department and with the National Youth Music Theatre.

 

As a Musical Director, his previous work has spanned the genre of musical theatre, specialising in piano accompaniment of jazz/pop/rock-based scores, arranging/orchestration, and conducting. ​​

Selected Theatre Credits:

Josh is currently Assistant MD on the original West End production of BEETLEJUICE at the Prince Edward till April 2027.

Most recently he was Assistant MD on the London Revival of STARLIGHT EXPRESS (Troubadour Wembley).

  • TUCK EVERLASTING - MD (2025, Birmingham Hippodrome Studio, European Premier)​

  • IN CLAY - Associate Conductor (2024, Upstairs at the Gatehouse)

  • GREATEST DAYS - MD/Keys 1 (2023, UK Tour)

  • JACK AND THE BEANSTALK - MD/Keys/Vocal Arranger (2022, Corn Exchange, Newbury)

  • ARE YOU AS NERVOUS AS I AM? - MD/Additional Orchestrations & Arrangements (2022, Greenwich Theatre)

  • BILLY ELLIOT - Assistant MD (2022, Curve)

  • ZORRO! - Associate MD (2022, Charing Cross)

  • VANARA: THE LEGEND - Associate MD/Keys 1 (2021, Hackney Empire)

  • RATTLESNAKE: A New Musical - MD/Arranger/Actor-Musician (2021, Catalyst Festival, Mountview)

  • OSO PANTO: RAPUNZEL (2020, OSO Arts Centre Barnes)

Dep Keys:

  • HAMILTON - Keys 2 (2024 -, UK Tour)

  • THE LITTLE BIG THINGS - Keys 2 (2023-2024, West End)

  • THE BODYGUARD - Keys 2 (2023, UK Tour)

Concerts:

  • ENCORE: A NIGHT WITH WEST END STARS - Orchestrator/Musical Supervisor (2024, European Tour)

  • CONNECTIONS VOL. 1 - MD/Arranger/Orchestrator (2022, Other Palace Studio)

  • SPOTLIGHT ON NEW MUSICALS - MD (2022, Concert Series, Union Theatre)

  • OSO PIANO LOUNGE: SONGS FROM THE MUSICALS (2021, OSO Arts Centre)

As Musical Director for Drama Schools

  • THE BAKER'S WIFE - MD/Arranger/Orchestrator (2024, Mountview in-house project)

  • THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE  - MD (2024, Bird College)

  • SWEET CHARITY - MD/Arranger/Orchestrator (2023, Italia Conti)

  • SWEENEY TODD - MD/Arranger/Orchestrator (2022, Bath Theatre Academy, The Egg, Theatre Royal Bath)

  • SPRING AWAKENING - MD (2021, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire)

Further Credits:

  • BRADICAL & THE PINK SOCKS - Rehearsal Pianist (2022, Workshop, ROYO)

  • SOHO HOUSE OPEN MIC - Resident Pianist/Co-Host (2022-2023, Soho House Greek Street)

  • WEST END OPEN MIC - Resident Pianist/Co-Host (2021-2022, Skylight Peckham)

  • OXFORD IMPS - Improv Pianist (2018-2020, Award-Winning Improv Comedy)​​

For any work inquiries please contact 

joshfjcottell@gmail.com

© 2025 by Josh Cottell. 

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