West End Wednesday: TIME

Time is a 1986 West End musical which used the 1970s musical ‘The Time Lord’ as its foundations. The production had a book and lyrics by Dave Clark and David Soames alongside music by Jeff Daniels. The musical also had additional songs by Hans Poulson and David Pomeranz. 

The musical centres on rock musician Chris Wilder and his backup singers who have been transported through time and space to the andromeda galaxy to appear before the high court of the universe. Due to the strides mankind has been making in space exploration, the Time Lord Melchisedic transported the singers there in order to have them defend their world and examine the threat, if any, that it opposes to the ongoing quest for peace in the universe. 

Time made history as the most technologically advanced show in West End history when it debuted. The gargantuan set by John Napier required the Dominion Theatre to be gutted and reconstructed to accommodate the sophisticated hydraulic system. The show also featured a huge floating head in the form of character Akash, the projection system used to create this effect was billed as a hologram by the production company. The production was directed and choreography by Larry Fuller, who was assisted in the choreography by Arlene Phillips. Cliff Richard starred as Wilder, with Jodie Brooke Wilson as Louise, Jeff Shankley as Lord Melchisedic and a pre-filmed Laurence Olivier starring as Akash. Although Time was praised for its impressive special effects, the musical was criticised for its book and elements of its score. The production however, attracted audiences and ran for two years, with David Essex taking over from Cliff Richard when his contract finished. 

A concept album for Time was recorded and released featuring artists such as Julian Lennon, Murray Head, Dionne Warwick and Stevie Wonder. Freddie Mercury recorded and released a video of the title song filmed on the stage of the Dominion Theatre during the show’s run. The 25th anniversary edition was made available for digital download in 2012 featuring both acts of the show. 

Due to the scale of production, Time has never seen a revival. I, for one, have always wanted to see the original, so I hope it see the light of day before long. 

The cast recording is hard to find, but it’s out there Besties!

FACTS:

Music: Jeff Daniels
Lyrics: Dave Clark & David Soames
Book:  Dave Clark and David Soames 

Theatre: The Dominion Theatre
Run: Around 900 performances