By Benjamin Leo

A talented film and theatre composer from Brighton has won a prestigious Emmy award.

Paul Englishby, 42, stormed to success in the Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music category for his title theme track in David Hare’s film Page Eight.

His winning score fought off competition from four other composers at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Paul said: “The ceremony and party were so glamorous and glitzy. Hollywood does these things spectacularly.

“I wrote an orchestral thriller score interspersed with jazz for the film and am delighted to have won.”

The political drama, which was first screened last August, features a list of star names including Rachel Weisz, Michael Gambon and Bill Nighy, who plays Johnny Worricker in the film.

Paul said: “He’s a jazz-loving veteran spy, so David Hare and I thought we should set up the story with a jazz character study as Johnny walks through the London streets for the opening titles.”

Despite his Emmy success, Paul is no stranger to award ceremony triumph.

In 2009 he won an ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) award for his film score for Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and also produced music for Oscar-nominated film An Education.

The gifted musician, who attended the Royal Academy of Music, has also taught Hugh Grant to play the guitar and helped Nicholas Cage play the piano.

He said: “I’ve been making music since the age of eight and composing since about 11.

“Growing up I played piano for ballet classes in a Preston wine bar and composed for friends, a school band and a local big band.”

He currently lives in Brighton, a place he believes is swarming with creative talent. The perfect home for a master-craftsman like himself.

He added: “I love Brighton to bits. I know instrumentalists, composers, actors, stage managers, artists film makers, editors, photographers and bands here. It’s safe to say it is easily is the most creative city in the UK.”