West End Wednesday: LONDON ROAD
London Road is a 2011 West End musical set during the serial murders in Ipswich committed by Steve Wright from 2006-08 and his subsequent trial. The musical does not depict the murders, the killer, or the women who lost their lives, merely how the effect of the investigation and media attention affected the surrounding area at the time.
The musical is written by Adam Cork and Alecky Blythe, and is a verbatim piece using the words from interviews of the inhabitants of London Road in Ipswich. What Cork and Blythe wanted to achieve was to have the music reflect the timing, pitch and rhythmical nuances of the initial interviews in order to ground it in reality. The musical also focuses on the neighbourhoods attempt to rebuild their community after such a devastating loss and as such, it doesn’t feature standard lead characters; however, it presents itself as an ensemble cast, a collection of people trying to make sense of this devastating loss. As such, the company multi-role as locals, sex workers, journalists etc and are rarely referred to by name. The opening night cast included Clare Burt, Rosalie Craig, Kate Fleetwood, Hal Fowler, Nick Holder, Claire Moore, Michael Shaeffer, Nicola Sloane, Paul Thornley, Howard Ward and Duncan Wisbey.
Initially, there was some controversy surrounding London Road, as people felt that it could be seen as cashing in on a tragedy that greatly affected a community. However, when the show opened, reviewers cited that it was in fact the opposite and the show paid tribute and respect to the sex workers who lost their lives, a deep sense of remorse and sadness at the fact that this horrific tragedy happened.
The show was directed by Rufus Norris and choreographed by Javier de Frutos and opened at the National Theatre’s Cottesloe Theatre in London on 14 April 2011 to critical acclaim, winning the 2011 Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for ‘Best Musical’. Off the back off this initial run’s success, a short revival was staged in 2012 back at the National from 28 July – 6 September. The production was nominated for four 2012 Olivier Awards, but failed to win any.
In 2013, it was announced that a motion picture adaptation of London Road was to be made, adapted by original director Rufus Norris. The film features Tom Hardy, Olivia Colman and Anita Dobson as well as Clare Burt, Rosalie Craig, Kate Fleetwood and the majority of the original cast. The film was released in June 2015.
Besties, if you haven’t listened to or watched London Road, please do. It’s a powerful musical with important story.
Cast recording and DVD available from Amazon. ‘Motion picture’ soundtrack available on streaming services.
FACTS:
Music: Adam Cork
Lyrics: Adam Cork and Alecky Blythe
Book: Alecky Blythe
Theatre: The National Theatre
Run: 7 April 2011 – 27 August 2011 and 28 July – 6 September 2012.
OLIVIERS:
(NOMINATED) Best New Musical, Best Actress in a Musical – Kate Fleetwood, Best Director – Rufus Norris, Best Theatre Choreographer – Javier de Frutos.
