West End Wednesday: HALF A SIXPENCE

Half a Sixpence is a British musical with music and lyrics by David Heneker, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and an original book by Beverly Cross and a revised book by Julian Fellowes. The musical was based on the novel by H.G. Wells entitled Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul. The story concerns Arthur Kipps who, at 14, must move away from his home and childhood sweetheart Ann. Upon leaving, Ann gives him half a sixpence as a token of their love. When Kipps starts to forget Ann, falls for Helen and attempts to adapt to his new social class, a chance meeting with Ann in the future causes him to rethink and risk abandoning social conventions for his childhood sweetheart. 

Half a Sixpence was essentially created as star vehicle for industry name, Tommy Steele. Popular writer of the time David Heneker was brought on board to pen the score, with Beverly Cross as the book writer. The show was so much of a vehicle for Steele that he was involved with 12 of the show’s numbers and it specifically included the banjo from the original source material so Steele could demonstrate his proficiency on the instrument. 

The production premiered in March 1963 at the Cambridge Theatre and was a success. It starred Marti Webb in her first leading role as Ann. The production was directed by John Dexter, choreographed by Edmund Balin, and set designed by Loudon Sainthill. The production transferred to Broadway two years later with Tommy Steele reprising the role of Kipps, directed by Gene Saks, and choreographed by Onna White. The production was also adapted into a film in 1967, again with Steele reprising his role and choreographed by the late Dame Gillian Lynne. Julia Foster starred as Ann, however her singing voice was dubbed by Marti Webb. 

In 2016, a revised production of the show opened at Chichester Festival Theatre, co-produced by Cameron Mackintosh. Mackintosh reunited the writing team of Mary Poppins to collaborate on the project, with a new book coming from Julian Fellowes and new songs and previous song revisions by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The production opened in Chichester to success, and transferred to the West End’s Noel Coward Theatre, opening for previews on 29 October 2016. The production was initially slated for a limited engagement to February, however, due to rave reviews and sell-out shows, it ended up running seven months longer than planned, closing on 2 September 2017. This production was directed by Rachel Kavanaugh with choreography by Andrew Wright, starring Charlie Stemp as Arthur Kipps, Devon-Elise Johnson as Ann and Emma Williams as Helen. 

Besties, give yourself a listen to this toe-tapping British classic. It’s not one to be missed!

Cast recording available on streaming services. 

FACTS:

Music: George Stiles and David Heneker
Lyrics: Anthony Drewe and David Heneker

Book: Julian Fellowes 

Theatre: The Cambridge
Run: 699 performances 

TONYS:

(NOMINATED) Best Musical, Best Producer – Allen-Hodgdon; Stevens Productions Inc; Harold Fielding, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical – Tommy Steele, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical – James Grout, Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical – Carrie Nye, Best Author – Beverly Cross, Best Original Score – David Heneker, Best Direction of a Musical – Gene Saks, Best Choreography – Onna White 

OLIVIERS: 

(NOMINATED - 2017) Best Actor in a Musical – Charlie Stemp, Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical – Ian Bartholomew, Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical – Emma Williams.