The show is based on H.G. Wells's 1905 novelKipps: The Story of a Simple Soul. Steele played Arthur Kipps, an orphan who unexpectedly inherits a fortune, and climbs the social ladder before losing everything and realizing that you just can't buy happiness.
David Heneker (who had also worked on Irma La Douce and Charlie Girl) wrote both music and lyrics. Steele's importance to the show was made evident by his appearance in twelve of the musical's fifteen songs. Much of this musical was tailored as a star vehicle for Steele's particular talents. This was especially evident in the musical number "Money to Burn": when Arthur Kipps realises that he is about to become wealthy, he decides that the first thing he will buy is a banjo. This is the cue for someone to hand Tommy Steele a banjo so that he can demonstrate his skill on the instrument. In the source material – Wells's novel – one of the first things that Arthur Kipps purchases with his newfound wealth is a banjo.
John Cleese of Monty Python fame had a small role. While performing in the musical, Cleese met future Python member Terry Gilliam as well as American actress Connie Booth, whom he married on 20 February 1968.
Productions
London
Half a Sixpence was first produced in London's West End at the Cambridge Theatre on 21 March 1963, with Marti Webb, in her first leading role, playing Ann. Anna Barry also appeared as Helen. The production was directed by John Dexter, with choreography by Edmund Balin, and the set was designed by Loudon Sainthill. It ran for 677 performances.[1]
Following the success in Chichester, the production transferred to the Noël Coward Theatre in London's West End on 17 November 2016 with previews from 29 October 2016. It initially booked until 11 February 2017.[3] Due to five-star reviews and audience acclaim, the show was extended until 22 April 2017. [4] It was extended, once again, until 6 May 2017. It extended again until 2 September 2017, when it closed.[4][5]
Synopsis, musical numbers at guidetomusicaltheatre.com
May 05, 2023
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For the 1967 film adaptation see Half a Sixpence film For the 2016 stage musical see Half a Sixpence 2016 musical Half a Sixpence is a 1963 musical comedy based on the 1905 novel Kipps by H G Wells with music and lyrics by David Heneker and a book by Beverley Cross It was written as a vehicle for British pop star Tommy Steele Half a SixpenceOfficial Broadway Cast recording cover artMusicDavid HenekerLyricsDavid HenekerBookBeverley CrossBasisKippsby H G WellsProductions1963 West End 1965 Broadway1967 Film adaptation2008 UK Tour2016 West End revival Contents 1 Background 2 Productions 2 1 London 2 2 Film version 2 3 2016 revised version 3 Songs 3 1 2016 West End Production 4 Awards and nominations 4 1 Broadway production 4 2 2016 West End revival 5 Recordings 6 References 7 External linksBackground EditThe show is based on H G Wells s 1905 novel Kipps The Story of a Simple Soul Steele played Arthur Kipps an orphan who unexpectedly inherits a fortune and climbs the social ladder before losing everything and realizing that you just can t buy happiness David Heneker who had also worked on Irma La Douce and Charlie Girl wrote both music and lyrics Steele s importance to the show was made evident by his appearance in twelve of the musical s fifteen songs Much of this musical was tailored as a star vehicle for Steele s particular talents This was especially evident in the musical number Money to Burn when Arthur Kipps realises that he is about to become wealthy he decides that the first thing he will buy is a banjo This is the cue for someone to hand Tommy Steele a banjo so that he can demonstrate his skill on the instrument In the source material Wells s novel one of the first things that Arthur Kipps purchases with his newfound wealth is a banjo John Cleese of Monty Python fame had a small role While performing in the musical Cleese met future Python member Terry Gilliam as well as American actress Connie Booth whom he married on 20 February 1968 Productions EditLondon Edit Half a Sixpence was first produced in London s West End at the Cambridge Theatre on 21 March 1963 with Marti Webb in her first leading role playing Ann Anna Barry also appeared as Helen The production was directed by John Dexter with choreography by Edmund Balin and the set was designed by Loudon Sainthill It ran for 677 performances 1 Film version Edit A 1967 film adaptation starring Steele along with Julia Foster and Cyril Ritchard was directed by George Sidney and choreographed by Gillian Lynne Lesley Judd a future presenter of the BBC children s TV series Blue Peter was one of the dancing chorus Foster s singing voice was dubbed by Marti Webb 1 2016 revised version Edit Main article Half a Sixpence 2016 musical A revised version of the show opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre to rave reviews and standing ovations in July 2016 co produced by Cameron Mackintosh Reuniting Mackintosh s Mary Poppins collaborators the show features a new book by Julian Fellowes and new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe alongside revisions of Heneker s originals 2 Following the success in Chichester the production transferred to the Noel Coward Theatre in London s West End on 17 November 2016 with previews from 29 October 2016 It initially booked until 11 February 2017 3 Due to five star reviews and audience acclaim the show was extended until 22 April 2017 4 It was extended once again until 6 May 2017 It extended again until 2 September 2017 when it closed 4 5 Songs EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed February 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message Act I All in The Cause of Economy Arthur Kipps Sid Pornick Buggins and Pearce Half a Sixpence Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick Money to Burn Arthur Kipps Laura and The Men A Proper Gentleman Arthur Kipps Sid Pornick Buggins Pearce and Shopgirls She s Too Far Above Me Arthur Kipps If The Rain s Got to Fall Arthur Kipps Pearce Sid Pornick Buggins Shopgirls Singers and Dancers The Old Military Canal Singers Act II A Proper Gentleman Reprise Arthur Kipps Mrs Walsingham Helen Walsingham Mrs Botting Young Walsingham and Party Guests The One That s Run Away Chitterlow amp Kipps Long Ago Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick Flash Bang Wallop Arthur Kipps Ann Pornick Chitterlow Mr Shalford Pearce Sid Pornick Buggins Shopgirls and Singers I Know What I Am Ann Pornick The Party s On the House Arthur Kipps Pearce Sid Pornick Buggins Shopgirls Singers and Dancers Half a Sixpence Reprise Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick All in the Cause of Economy Reprise Flo Pearce Sid Pornick and Buggins Finale Entire Company 2016 West End Production Edit 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 amp 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 CompanyAwards and nominations EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed February 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message Broadway production Edit Year Award Category Nominee Result1965 Tony Award Best Musical NominatedBest Producer Allen Hodgdon Stevens Productions Inc and Harold Fielding NominatedBest Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Tommy Steele NominatedBest Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical James Grout NominatedBest Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical Carrie Nye NominatedBest Author Beverley Cross NominatedBest Original Score David Heneker NominatedBest Direction of a Musical Gene Saks NominatedBest Choreography Onna White Nominated2016 West End revival Edit Year Award Category Nominee Result2017 Whatsonstage com Awards Best New Musical NominatedBest Actor in a Musical Charlie Stemp WonBest Actress in a Musical Devon Elise Johnson NominatedBest Supporting Actor in a Musical Ian Bartholomew NominatedBest Supporting Actress in a Musical Emma Williams WonBest Direction Rachel Kavanaugh NominatedBest Choreography Andrew Wright WonBest Costume Design Paul Brown Nominated2017 Laurence Olivier Awards Best Actor in a Musical Charlie Stemp NominatedBest Actor in Supporting Role in a Musical Ian Bartholomew NominatedBest Actress in Supporting Role in a Musical Emma Williams NominatedRecordings EditHalf a Sixpence An Original Cast Recording Decca SLK4521 1963 1 Half a Sixpence The Original Broadway Cast Recording RCA Victor LOC1110 1965 1 Half a Sixpence The Original 1962 Demo Recordings Stage Door STAGE9052 2017 1 References Edit a b c d e Dietz Dan 2014 The Complete Book of 1960s Broadway Musicals Lanham Maryland Rowman amp Littlefield p 298 ISBN 9781442230712 Gapper John 15 January 2016 Interview Cameron Mackintosh Financial Times London Retrieved 15 January 2016 Bowie Sell Daisy 31 August 2016 Half a Sixpence to transfer to the West End What s On Stage London Archived from the original on 11 October 2017 a b O Hanlon Dom 2 January 2016 Half a Sixpence extends booking at the Noel Coward Theatre London Theatre Guide Half a Sixpence to close in the West End this September whatsonstage com External links Edit Half a Sixpence at the Internet Broadway Database Synopsis musical numbers at guidetomusicaltheatre com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Half a Sixpence amp oldid 1113310138, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
