Half a sixpence
| Musical dates | |
|---|---|
| Original title: | Half a sixpence |
| Original language: | English |
| Music: | David Heneker , revision: George Stiles |
| Book: | Beverley Cross , revision: Julian Fellowes |
| Lyrics: | David Heneker , revision: Anthony Drewe |
| Literary source: | "Kipps" by HG Wells |
| Premiere: | March 21, 1963 |
| Place of premiere: | Cambridge Theater, London |
| Place and time of the action: | Folkstone, England. Around 1900. |
| Roles / people | |
& Ensemble |
|
Half a Sixpence is a two-act musical by David Heneker (music & lyrics) and Beverley Cross (book). It is based on the novel "Kipps" by HG Wells from 1905 and premiered in 1963 at the Cambridge Theater in London. The Broadway premiere was at the Broadhurst Theater in 1965.
In 2016, Cameron Mackintosh produced a revised revival, for which, after the already successful collaboration with Mary Poppins, he again engaged George Stiles for additional music tracks, Anthony Drewe for lyrics and Julian Fellowes for the revision of the book. This revival was played from November 2016 to September 2017 at London's Noël Coward Theater .
action
Arthur Kipps, an apprentice merchant at Shalford drapery, doesn't feel very comfortable in his job and doesn't get along very well with his boss. He feels a lot for Ann Pornick, the heaviest of his colleague and friend Sid. As a sign of togetherness, he hands her half of a sixpence coin while he keeps the other half for himself.
Suddenly Arthur Kipps makes a major inheritance that gives him respect and gives him access to "better society". He enjoys the carefree life and the attention he receives. When he met Helen Walsingham, who came from a wealthy family and impressed him very much, he finally asked for her hand and Helen agreed to marry him. When Ann, who now works as a maid, finds out about it, she is sad and angry and finally throws half her sixpence at Arthur's feet.
The encounter with Ann makes Arthur thoughtful and he feels out of place in the posh but superficial circles. When he meets Sid and other old friends, he fools around with them and really blossoms again. When the Walsingham family reproach him for this and criticize his, in their opinion, improper behavior, Arthur turns his back on them and finally marries Ann.
He wants to open a nice bookstore with Ann, but then he learns that Helen Walsingham's brother has speculated on the inheritance entrusted to him and lost almost all of the money. Little money is left for a small, humble bookstore, but Arthur and Ann are happy with their lives together.
Music track
original
- 1st act
- "All in The Cause of Economy" - Arthur Kipps, Sid Pornick, Buggins & Pearce
- "Half a Sixpence" - Arthur Kipps & Ann Pornick
- "Money to Burn" - Arthur Kipps, Laura & The Men
- "A Proper Gentleman" - Arthur Kipps, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Pearce & Shopgirls
- "She's Too Far Above Me" - Arthur Kipps
- "If The Rain's Got to Fall" - Arthur Kipps, Pearce, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Shopgirls, Singers & Dancers
- "The Old Military Canal" - Singers
- 2nd act
- "A Proper Gentleman" (Reprise) - Arthur Kipps, Mrs. Walsingham, Helen Walsingham, Mrs. Botting, Young Walsingham & Party Guests
- "The One That's Run Away" - Chitterlow & Arthur Kipps
- "Long Ago" - Arthur Kipps & Ann Pornick
- "Flash Bang Wallop" - Arthur Kipps, Ann Pornick, Chitterlow, Mr. Shalford, Pearce, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Shopgirls & Singers
- "I Know What I Am" - Ann Pornick
- "The Party's On the House" - Arthur Kipps, Pearce, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Shopgirls, Singers & Dancers
- "Half a Sixpence" (Reprise) - Arthur Kipps & Ann Pornick
- "All in the Cause of Economy" (Reprise) - Flo, Pearce, Sid Pornick & Buggins
- "Finale" - entire ensemble
Revival 2016
Some of David Heneker's titles have been retained from the original version. The new titles are from George Stiles (music) and Anthony Drewe (lyrics).
- 1st act
- "Half a Sixpence" - Arthur Kipps & Ann Pornick
- "Look Alive" ensemble
- "Money to Burn" - Arthur Kipps, Mr. Shalford, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Pearce & Flo
- "Believe in Yourself" - Arthur Kipps & Helen Walsingham
- "She's Too Far Above Me" - Arthur Kipps
- "Money to Burn" (reprise) - Arthur Kipps & Ann Pornick
- "A Proper Gentleman" - Arthur Kipps, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Pearce & Flo
- "Half a Sixpence" (Reprise) - Arthur Kipps & Ann Pornick
- "Long Ago" - Ann Pornick
- "Back the Right Horse" - Chitterlow & Ensemble
- "Just a Few Little Things" - Helen Walsingham & Arthur Kipps
- "A Little Touch of Happiness" - Ann Pornick & Flo
- "If The Rain's Got to Fall" - Mrs. Walsingham, Arthur Kipps, Foster, Helen Walsingham, Lady Punnet & Ensemble
- 2nd act
- "The One That's Run Away" - Chitterlow & Arthur Kipps
- "Pick Out a Simple Tune" - Arthur Kipps & Ann Pornick
- "You Never Get Anything Right / I Know Who I Am" - Arthur Kipps & 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 & Pearce
- "Long Ago" (reprise) - Arthur Kipps & Ann Pornick
- "Flash Bang Wallop" - Arthur Kipps, Ann Pornick, Mr. Shalford, Pearce, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Flo, Photographer & Ensemble
- "Flash Bang Wallop" (Reprise) - Chitterlow, Arthur Kipps, Ann Pornick, Mr. Shalford, Pearce, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Flo, Photographer & Ensemble
- "Finale" - entire ensemble
Performances
- original
- from March 21, 1963 (677 performances): Cambridge Theater, London.
- April 25, 1965 (4 previews from April 15, 1965) - July 16, 1966 (511 performances): Broadhurst Theater, New York.
- revival
First there was a tryout phase in Chichester. The subsequent London season should initially only last until February 11, 2017. Due to the excellent reviews and the high number of visitors, the season was extended three times, so that the last performance was only on September 2, 2017.
- July 14th, 2016 - September 2nd, 2016: Chichester Festival Theater, Chichester, England.
- November 17, 2016 (previews from October 29, 2016) - September 2, 2017: Noël Coward Theater, London.
Premiere casts
- Original production
| role | London 1963 |
New York 1965 |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur Kipps | Tommy Steele | |
| Chitterlow | James Grout | |
| Ann Pornick | Marti Webb | Polly James |
| Helen Walsingham | Anna Barry | Carrie Nve |
| Mrs. Walsingham | Jessica James | Ann Shoemaker |
| Sid Pornick | John Bull | Will Mackenzie |
| Flo | Sheila Reid | Michele Hardy |
| Buggins | Colin Farrell | Norman Allen |
| Pearce | Anthony Valentine | Grover Dale |
- Revival 2016/2017
| role | Chichester 2016 |
London 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur Kipps | Charlie stamp | |
| Chitterlow | Ian Bartholomew | |
| Ann Pornick | Devon Elise-Johnson | |
| Helen Walsingham | Emma Williams | |
| Mrs. Walsingham | Vivien Parry | |
| Lady Punnet | Jane How | |
| James Walsingham / Photographer | Gerard Carey | |
| swing | David Birch | |
| Mrs. Bindo-Bott | Kimberly Blake | |
| Uncle Bert | James Paterson | David Burrows |
| Head Waiter / Assistant Dance Captain | Nick Butcher | |
| Shalford / Foster | Jon Conroy | |
| Mrs. Wace / Dance Captain | Jaye Julliet Magpie | |
| Mr. Wace | Tim Hodges | |
| Sid Pornick | Alex Hope | |
| Flo | Bethany Huckle | |
| swing | Samantha Hull | |
| Mary | Rebecca Jayne Davies | |
| Miss Ross | Jenifer Louise Jones | |
| Policeman | Philip Marriott | |
| Carshot / Maxwell | Harry Morrison | |
| Buggins | Sam O'Rourke | |
| Pearce | Callum Train | |
| Mildred | Lauren Varnham | |
| Aunt Susan / Lady Dacre | Annie Wensak | |
filming
The musical was filmed in 1967 by George Sidney under the same name. The main role of Arthur Kipps played, as before in the stage versions in London and New York, Tommy Steele . In the film version, the title “I'm Not Talking To You”, which was removed for the Broadway version, has been reinserted. In addition, two new titles were written for the film: "Lady Botting's Boating Regatta Cup Racing Song (The Race is On)" and "This is My World".
Sound carrier
- Original production
- 1963: Half a Sixpence - Original London Cast (Decca)
- 1965: Half a Sixpence - Original Broadway Cast Recording (RCA Victor)
- 2017: Half a Sixpence - The Original 1962 Demo Recordings (Stage Door)
- Movie
- 1968: Half a Sixpence - An Original Soundtrack Recording, Conducted by Irwin Kostal (RCA Victor)
- Revival 2016/2017
- 2016: Half a Sixpence - The New 2016 London Cast Recording (First Night Records, live recording)
Web links
- Half a Sixpence - Official Website
- Half a Sixpence in the Internet Broadway Database
- Half a sixpence in the Guide to Musical Theater
- Official trailer for the 2016/2017 London Revival
Individual evidence
- ↑ John Gapper: Interview: Cameron Mackintosh , Financial Times, January 15, 2016.
- ↑ Daisy Bowie-Sell: Half a Sixpence to transfer to the West End , WhatsOnStage, August 31, 2016.
- ↑ Half a Sixpence extends booking at the Noel Coward Theater , London Theater, January 11, 2017.
- ↑ Will Longman: Half a Sixpence to close in the West End this September , WhatsOnStage, May 5, 2017.
- ^ Günter Bartosch: The Heyne Musical Lexicon. Munich: Heyne Verlag, expanded and updated paperback edition, 1997, ISBN 3-453-06022-9 .