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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2016 14:09:16 GMT
14th July to 3rd September
Chichester Festival Theatre
A new version by Julian Fellowes and Stiles & Drewe, co-created by Cameron Mackintosh
with Bryan Dick as Arthur Kipps.
Surprising to see that they haven't gone for star casting, considering it was originally written as a vehicle for Tommy Steele.
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Post by Jon on Feb 18, 2016 14:19:46 GMT
14th July to 3rd September Chichester Festival Theatre A new version by Julian Fellowes and Stiles & Drewe, co-created by Cameron Mackintosh with Bryan Dick as Arthur Kipps. Surprising to see that they haven't gone for star casting, considering it was originally written as a vehicle for Tommy Steele. Anthony Drewe said in an interview that they wanted to undo the star vehicle aspect with the new book and songs. Bryan Dick is a good choice for Arthur Kipps
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2016 14:58:13 GMT
Did Susan Hill know about Half A Sixpence when she wrote The Woman In Black, d'you think?
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Post by Cardinal Pirelli on Feb 19, 2016 0:07:11 GMT
Did Susan Hill know about Half A Sixpence when she wrote The Woman In Black, d'you think? I'm pretty sure she took the name on purpose (it isn't exactly a common one). As to why, I've never been able to work it out.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 19, 2016 7:34:16 GMT
They did go for a star... But he turned it down!
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Post by Distant Dreamer... on Feb 19, 2016 8:25:59 GMT
They did go for a star... But he turned it down! do tell!
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Post by weeboy on Feb 21, 2016 16:01:02 GMT
What a shame he turned it down, I was rather looking forward to seeing him in it. I also think he would make an excellent Gilbert Chilvers when and if they get around to a revival of Betty Blue Eyes.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 21, 2016 16:08:06 GMT
They did go for a star... But he turned it down! What a shame he turned it down, I was rather looking forward to seeing him in it. I also think he would make an excellent Gilbert Chilvers when and if they get around to a revival of Betty Blue Eyes. "Vagueboarding"
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Post by crabtree on Feb 21, 2016 19:46:39 GMT
So I wonder if they have sorted out the banjo story.....that huge number about the only thing he would buy with the money beign a banjo....and then we never hear of it again. still, it's a good number.
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Post by theatremadness on Apr 11, 2016 19:51:19 GMT
So Bryan Dick has been announced to be in the West End revival of Hobson's Choice in the West End - the dates of which completely overlap Half A Sixpence at the CFT. Also, his name has now disappeared completely from the Half A Sixpence page on the CFT website. Wonder what has happened?!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2016 20:35:34 GMT
I was wondering the same thing. It's a shame as I was looking forward to him in the role, and was the main reason I was thinking of booking. Will hold off now until some cast news is released
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Post by theatremadness on Apr 11, 2016 20:49:19 GMT
I was also informed by another poster on the Hobson's Choice thread in the Plays section that WestEndProducer tweeted a few days ago explicitly referring to a change in the Kipps casting!
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2016 16:29:29 GMT
Initial cast announced...
Charlie Stemp taking over as Arthur Kipps, Ian Bartholomew as Chitterlow and Emma Williams as Helen Walsingham (good job Mrs. Henderson Presents hasn't extended then!), Vivien Parry as Mrs Walsingham and Devon-Elise Johnson as Ann Pornick.
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2016 17:31:31 GMT
Love how Emma Williams is making a huge comeback to musical theatre! She was amazing in Henderson
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Post by mallardo on May 10, 2016 16:26:51 GMT
Kind of sad that she'll be putting her clothes on though.
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Post by easilypleased on May 10, 2016 21:50:29 GMT
Emma Williams as Helen Walsingham (good job Mrs. Henderson Presents hasn't extended then!) From tuppence to sixpence. To threepence, surely? Half a sixpence?
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Post by crabtree on Jul 15, 2016 22:20:06 GMT
Anyone seen this yet. Just had a thought....is The threepenny opera the flipside of the coin to Half a sixpence?
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Post by Flim Flam on Jul 15, 2016 22:37:47 GMT
Those were the days. When you could see 2 shows, and still have change from a shilling...
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Post by showgirl on Jul 16, 2016 4:27:48 GMT
I'm due to see this soon, but now the running time has just been announced as 2 hours 45, I will have to try to change my evening ticket to a matinee, as the newly-reduced train service means I cannot get home after a 22.15 finish.
Hence as well as being interested in any views on the production itself, I'd love to know if the running time comes down, though I think CFT is pretty reliable with this, as they don't publish that info until after the dress rehearsal. The downside is that that then leaves little time for anyone like me who needs to change her/his plans.
Others who have booked an evening slot and plan to travel with Southern may wish to note!
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Post by alece10 on Jul 16, 2016 5:50:08 GMT
I am booked for 30th July
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 16, 2016 5:50:53 GMT
I really hope this is good.. It's being talked up as a total re-invention but I hope it's not another Barnum case of Mackintosh fiddling with a show and killing it stone dead.
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Post by wickedgrin on Jul 16, 2016 7:32:20 GMT
Seeing this on Monday. This was a huge hit in its day although dated now. I cannot see how "Mackintosh fiddling" will improve it or make it transferable into town. But I await to be proved wrong.
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Post by crabtree on Jul 16, 2016 9:19:19 GMT
I'm intrigued to see if they have solved the banjo problem. Arthur stops the show with 'buy me a banjo', as it is all that he ever wants with the money, but there's ne'er a sight of a banjo e'er again.
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Post by wickedgrin on Jul 16, 2016 9:42:54 GMT
I'm intrigued to see if they have solved the banjo problem. Arthur stops the show with 'buy me a banjo', as it is all that he ever wants with the money, but there's ne'er a sight of a banjo e'er again. It is exactly the same in the novel "Kipps" on which the show is based. The original book was very faithful to the novel but now it has been completely re-written apparently by Julian Fellows.
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Post by crabtree on Jul 16, 2016 10:53:52 GMT
or he went off in search of an effing Pokémon and the rest of the plot fell to pieces.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Jul 16, 2016 13:01:06 GMT
Threads merged
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Post by wickedgrin on Jul 18, 2016 23:06:38 GMT
This show ran 2 years in the West End from 1963 to 1965 and transferred to Broadway where it ran a further 511 performances. A film followed...so if it aint broke dont fix it!
This adapdation of the original show by Julian Fellowes, Cameron Mackintosh, Stiles and Drewe ditches only around 4 songs from the original show, the rest remain with alot of altered lyrics and around 7 new songs added, so it does not take a mathematical genius to work out that the show is now far too long. The first Act runs 1.20 and second 1.05 - admittedly a preview performance but without cutting some of the new songs I do not see how this can be shortened. The show on Monday evening started 5 mins late and the interval was 25 minutes rather than the advertised 20 - so the show did not finish until 10.25 - almost 3 hours!
Most of the new songs are forgetable although "Back the Right Horse" for Chitterlow and Just a Few Little Things for Kipps and Helen made their mark. But the "moments" of the show belong to the original composer David Heneker with "Long Ago" "Half A Sixpence" and of course "Flash Bang Wallop" - songs which Stiles and Drew can only dream of. So I did not think the new material - although pleasant enough -added anything other than length.
Having said that though it is a gorgeous production. Beautifully designed on a revolving bandstand in wedgewood blue with screens and projections which facilitate (noisy) scene changes. The costumes are sumptuous and the band and vocals of the company are excellent.
Despite trying to open up the story to include other characters it remains Kipps's show - it is his story after all!. A real find in Charlie Stemp as Kipps, looking like a young Michael Crawford at times with a hugely engaging and likeable personality. Certainly an actor to watch. He is well supported by a lovely portrail of Ann (his childhood sweetheart) by Devon -Elise Johnson.
A charming production (4 stars from me) - well suited to the Chichester stage with its circular bandstand and a lovely evening or afternoon out in Chichester. However, I simply cannot see the production going any further. It is an old fashioned show and I cannot see them queuing round the block in the West End to see it or on tour.
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Post by mallardo on Jul 18, 2016 23:18:12 GMT
Nice review, wickedgrin. I haven't seen it but I agree with you on the shortcomings of Stiles and Drew whose support from Cameron Mackintosh is mystifying but I hope you're wrong about the prospects for this show - as an Emma Williams fan I really want this to work!
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Post by wickedgrin on Jul 18, 2016 23:28:42 GMT
Emma Williams is excellent in this making the most of the rather thankless role of Helen Walsingham. She is given two new numbers "Believe in Yourself" and "Just A Few Little Things" - both duets with Kipps.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 26, 2016 8:41:49 GMT
It's opening tonight.. Anyone been yet?
I hope it's not another Barnum.. Mackintosh tinkering with a show and killing it stone dead.
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