Richard Hill

Richard Hill was a British composer, arranger, and conductor best known in the theatre world for co-composing the hit West End musical Canterbury Tales (1968), an adaptation of Geoffrey Chaucer’s classic literary work. Collaborating with lyricist Nevill Coghill and co-composer John Hawkins, Hill helped bring a vibrant and witty musical version of the medieval tales to life, blending period charm with 20th-century theatrical flair.

Hill’s background was in classical and orchestral music, and his career included work as a composer for stage and screen, as well as a prolific arranger and musical director. His ability to bridge traditional choral and orchestral forms with contemporary musical theatre sensibilities made him a distinctive figure in the British musical scene of the 1960s and 70s.

The musical Canterbury Tales was a major success, running for over five years in London’s West End and later transferring to Broadway. Hill’s score, co-written with Hawkins, was praised for its inventive melodies, rhythmic variety, and clever evocation of medieval themes with a modern twist.

Beyond Canterbury Tales, Hill contributed to a range of musical projects across genres, showcasing his versatility and command of musical language. Though not as widely known today, his work remains a noteworthy example of British musical theatre innovation during its mid-20th-century renaissance.