West End Wednesday: THE FIX

The Fix is a 1997 West End musical produced by Cameron Mackintosh, with a book and lyrics by John Dempsey and music by Dana P. Rowe. The musical tells the story of fictionalised politicians in America getting embroiled with the criminal underworld. When the shoe-in candidate for the presidential election Reed Chandler suddenly dies, his PR team (consisting of his now widow and brother) look to get his son Calvin to run in his position. However, Calvin is a soldier with a hard drug problem and infidelity issues, so they seek the help of the mafia to cover his past and clean up his image, but at what cost?

The Fix premiered in April 1997 at the Donmar Warehouse. The production was directed by Sam Mendes and starred John Barrowman as Cal Reed, Philip Quast as Grahame Chandler, and Kathryn Evans as Violet Chandler. The production ran for a limited engagement to June of the same year and was reviewed well, being nominated for four Olivier Awards, with Quast winning for ‘Best Actor in a Musical’. 

The production had its US premiere in 1998 at the Signature Theatre in Virginia, with its next US production taking place again at the Signature again in 2015. In 2015, the role of Cal Chandler was played by British musical theatre actor Mark Evans. 

The most recent production of the show took place in 2016 at The Union Theatre. The musical marked the inaugural production of the new Union Theatre after it transferred locations. The revival starred Fra Fee as Cal, with Ken Christiansen as Grahame Chandler and Lucy Williamson as Violet Chandler. The production was directed and choreographed by Michael Strassen. The production ran a month and was reviewed well. 

Besties, although The Fix hasn’t been produced much, it definitely should be. It’s a great little show, so give it a listen! 

Cast recording available on streaming services. 

FACTS:

Music: Dana P. Rowe
Lyrics: John Dempsey
Book:  John Dempsey 

Theatre: The Donmar Warehouse
Run: 29 April 1997 – 14 June 1997

OLIVIERS:

(NOMINATED) Best Actor in a Musical – John Barrowman, Best New Musical, Best Lighting Designer – Howard Harrison

(WON) Best Actor in a Musical – Philip Quast