Awards
Vivian Ellis Prize (with Kit Hesketh-Harvey) for young writers for the musical stage.

Press
Orlando
“The music has a hypnotic quality that makes one long to hear it again. McConnel is clearly a composer to watch”
The Guardian

“A stirringly adult score, Orlando proves one of the most exotically ambitious British musicals since Valmouth”
The Listener

“The score is very strong indeed”
Sheridan Morley


Killing Rasputin
“A gripping tale of good versus evil”
Daily Mail

“ . . . the result is a musical with romance, intrigue, humour, catchy tunes and moving moments”
The Times

“The music is delightfully powerful”
Sunday Times

“The writers have created a gripping tale”
The Stage

Inkle & Yarico
‘Inkle and Yarico is a rare gem!"
Financial Times

"The Quintessential Edinburgh Experience"
The Scotsman

"The World Premier Performance of Inkle and Yarico was the highlight of this year’s festival. The storyline and the wonderful blend of musical styles took me far away from the very cold Edinburgh to the heat of Barbados. The cast of very strong singers included Michael McCarthy as Inkle and Natalie Tinn as Yarico. This performance was brilliant finish to the 1999 Edinburgh Festival." Musical Stage Magazine


Another Life
. . . the opening reels, driven by James McConnel's lively chamber score, succinctly sketch the atmosphere of Edwardian London.
Variety