Half a Sixpence (2016 musical)

Half a Sixpence
Music George Stiles
David Heneker
Lyrics Anthony Drewe
David Heneker
Book Julian Fellowes
Basis Kipps by H.G. Wells and the original musical by David Heneker and Beverly Cross
Productions 2016 Chichester
2016 West End

Half a Sixpence is a musical based on the novel Kipps by H.G. Wells and the original 1963 musical, co-created by Cameron Mackintosh with music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, featuring several of the original songs by David Heneker, and book by Julian Fellowes.

This new version is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Chichester Festival Theatre where it premiered in July 2016 before transferring into the West End in London at the Noël Coward Theatre in October 2016.

Background

The original musical of Half a Sixpence, based on the novel Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul by H. G. Wells featured music and lyrics by David Heneker and book by Beverley Cross. The musical was originally written as a star veichle for pop star Tommy Steele who performed the role of Kipps originally in London in 1963, Broadway in 1965 and in the 1967 film adaptation. It was evident that the show relied on Steele as the star vehicle as he featured in twelve of the musical's fifteen songs.

Following the success with Mary Poppins, producer Cameron Mackintosh reunited the same team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe to adapt Heneker's original songs and create new material for the production, with Julian Fellowes re-writing an entirely new book. The creative team also reunites Stiles and Drewe with Fellowes after Mary Poppins and their current new musical adaptation of The Wind in the Willows (also reuniting with director Rachel Kavanaugh).

Productions

Chichester and West End production

The musical premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre (as part of the final season of Jonathan Church as artistic director and Alan Finch as executive producer) from 14 July to 2 September 2016 as a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh. It was originally announced that Bryan Dick would star as Kipps, however had later withdrawn to appear in the West End production of Hobson's Choice.[1] It was later announced that newcomer Charlie Stemp would take over as Arthur Kipps alongside Devon-Elise Johnson as Ann Pornick, Ian Bartholomew as Chitterlow, Emma Williams as Helen Walsingham and Vivien Parry as Mrs Walsingham.[2] The production is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, designed by Paul Brown, choreographed by Andrew Wright, orchestrations by William David Brohn, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter and video design by Luke Halls.

Following rave reviews in Chichester, the production transferred to the West End in London at the Noël Coward Theatre with previews beginning 29 October and press night on 17 November 2016. It features the original Chichester cast and is currently booking until 22 April 2017.

On Friday 18 November 2016 the cast performed 'Flash Bang Wallop!' as part of Children in Need on BBC One.

Characters and cast

Character Chichester West End
Arthur Kipps Charlie Stemp
Chitterlow Ian Bartholomew
Ann Pornick Devon Elise-Johnson
Helen Walsingham Emma Williams
Mrs Walsingham Vivien Parry
Lady Punnet Jane How
James Walsingham / Photographer Gerard Carey
Swing David Birch
Mrs Bindo-Bott Kimberly Blake
Uncle Bert James Paterson David Burrows
Head Waiter / Assistant Dance Captain Nick Butcher
Shalford / Foster Jon Conroy
Mrs Wace / Dance Captain Jaye Julliet Elster
Mr Wace Tim Hodges
Sid Pornick Alex Hope
Flo Bethany Huckle
Swing Samantha Hull
Mary Rebecca Jayne Davies
Miss Ross Jenifer Louise Jones
Policeman Philip Marriott
Carshot / Maxwell Harry Morrison
Buggins Sam O' Rourke
Pierce Callum Train
Mildred Lauren Varnham
Aunt Susan / Lady Dacre Annie Wensak

Musical numbers

Act I
  • "Half a Sixpence" - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick
  • "Look Alive" - Company
  • "Money to Burn" - Arthur Kipps, Mr Shalford, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Pierce and Flo
  • "Believe in Yourself" - Arthur Kipps and Helen Walsingham
  • "She's Too Far Above Me" - Arthur Kipps
  • "Money to Burn" (Reprise) - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick
  • "A Proper Gentleman" - Arthur Kipps, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Pearce and Flo
  • "Half a Sixpence" (Reprise) - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick
  • "Long Ago" - Ann Pornick
  • "Back the Right Horse" - Chitterlow and Company
  • "Just a Few Little Things" - Helen Walsingham and Arthur Kipps
  • "A Little Touch of Happiness" - Ann Pornick and Flo
  • "If The Rain's Got to Fall" - Mrs Walsingham, Arthur Kipps, Foster, Helen Walsingham, Lady Punnet and Company
Act II
  • "The One That's Run Away" - Chitterlow & Arthur Kipps
  • "Pick Out a Simple Tune" - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick
  • "You Never Get Anything Right / I Know Who I Am" - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick
  • "We'll Build a Palace / I Only Want a Little House" - Arthur Kipps, Helen Walsingham, Mrs Walsingham, James Walsingham
  • "In the Middle There's Me" - Arthur Kipps, Buggins, Sid Pornick and Pierce
  • "Long Ago" (Reprise) - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick
  • "Flash Bang Wallop" - Arthur Kipps, Ann Pornick, Mr. Shalford, Pearce, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Flo, Photographer and Company
  • "Flash Bang Wallop" (Reprise)- Chitterlow, Arthur Kipps, Ann Pornick, Mr. Shalford, Pearce, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Flo, Photographer and Company
  • "Finale" - Company

Half a Sixpence (2016 Cast Recording)
Soundtrack album cast recording by Various
Released 18 November 2016 (2016-11-18)
Length 70:44
Label First Night Records

Cast Recording

On Friday 18 November 2016, the 2016 London Cast Recording was released by First Night Records on CD and iTunes digital download.[3] It features 23 tracks and was recorded live during the final three performances in the Chichester run.

No. Title Length
1. "Half a Sixpence"   2:49
2. "Look Alive"   3:38
3. "Money To Burn / Money To Burn (Reprise)"   4:25
4. "Believe In Yourself"   2:12
5. "She's Too Far Above Me"   1:51
6. "A Proper Gentleman"   3:34
7. "Half a Sixpence (Reprise)"   2:02
8. "Long Ago"   1:47
9. "Back the Right Horse"   2:55
10. "Just a Few Little Things"   3:58
11. "A Little Touch of Happiness"   3:33
12. "If the Rain's Got to Fall"   4:27
13. "The One Who's Run Away"   3:27
14. "Pick Out a Simple Tune"   5:23
15. "You Never Get Anything Right / I Know Who I Am"   3:08
16. "We'll Build a Palace / I Only Want a Little House"   3:46
17. "In the Middle There's Me"   2:50
18. "Long Ago (Reprise)"   1:36
19. "Flash, Bang, Wallop"   5:52
20. "Flash, Bang, Wallop (Reprise)"   1:55
21. "Finale"   1:15
22. "Simple Tune Bows"   1:27
23. "Playout (Bonus Track)"   3:21
Total length:
 70:44

Awards and nominations

London production

Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result Ref
2016 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards Best Revival of a Musical Pending [4]
Best Actor in a New Production of a Musical Charlie Stemp Pending
Best Actress in a New Production of a Musical Devon Elise-Johnson Pending
Best Supporting Actress in a New Production of a Musical Emma Williams Pending

References

  1. ↑ Desk, BWW News. "Bryan Dick Departs Chichester's HALF A SIXPENCE; Will Remain with HOBSON'S CHOICE for West End Run". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-11-19.
  2. ↑ "Full casting announced for HALF A SIXPENCE - Chichester Festival Theatre". Chichester Festival Theatre. Retrieved 2016-11-19.
  3. ↑ "Half a Sixpence (2016 London Cast Recording) by Various Artists on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 2016-11-19.
  4. ↑ "2016 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards (UK / West End)". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2016-11-14.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/27/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.