Half a Sixpence (2016 musical)

{{Infobox musical

|name=Half a Sixpence

|image=Half_a_Sixpence_2016_West_End_Poster.jpg

|caption=Poster for the West End production

|music=George Stiles
David Heneker

|lyrics=Anthony Drewe
David Heneker

|book=Julian Fellowes

|basis=Kipps
by H. G. Wells

|productions=2016 Chichester
2016 West End

|premiere_location=Chichester Festival Theatre|premiere_date=14 July 2016}}

Half a Sixpence (also Kipps - The New Half A Sixpence Musical) is a stage musical based on the 1905 novel Kipps by H. G. Wells and the original 1963 musical, with music by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and lyrics by Anthony Drewe and Heneker, featuring several of the original songs by Heneker, and book by Julian Fellowes.

Background

The original musical of Half a Sixpence, based on the novel Kipps by H. G. Wells, featured music and lyrics by David Heneker and book by Beverley Cross. The musical was written as a star vehicle for British pop star Tommy Steele who performed the role of Kipps originally in London in 1963, Broadway in 1965 and in the 1967 film adaptation. It was evident that the show relied on Steele as the star vehicle as he featured in twelve of the musical's fifteen songs.

Following the success with Mary Poppins, producer Cameron Mackintosh reunited the same team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe to adapt Heneker's original songs and create new material for the production, with Julian Fellowes writing an entirely new book. The creative team also reunites Stiles and Drewe with Fellowes after Mary Poppins and the new musical adaptation of The Wind in the Willows (which also reunites director Rachel Kavanaugh, who also directed Stiles and Drewe's Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure).

Production history

= Chichester and West End production (2016-17) =

The musical premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre from 14 July to 2 September 2016 as a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh. It was originally announced that Bryan Dick would star as Kipps, however he later withdrew to appear in the West End production of Hobson's Choice.{{Cite news|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Bryan-Dick-Departs-Chichesters-HALF-A-SIXPENCE-Will-Remain-with-HOBSONS-CHOICE-for-West-End-Run-20160414|title=Bryan Dick Departs Chichester's HALF A SIXPENCE; Will Remain with HOBSON'S CHOICE for West End Run|author=BWW News Desk|newspaper=BroadwayWorld.com|access-date=2016-11-19}} It was later announced that newcomer Charlie Stemp would take over as Arthur Kipps alongside Devon-Elise Johnson as Ann Pornick, Ian Bartholomew as Chitterlow, Emma Williams as Helen Walsingham and Vivien Parry as Mrs Walsingham.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cft.org.uk/news/full-casting-announced-for-half-a-sixpence|title=Full casting announced for HALF A SIXPENCE - Chichester Festival Theatre|website=Chichester Festival Theatre|access-date=2016-11-19}} The production is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, designed by Paul Brown, choreographed by Andrew Wright, orchestrations by William David Brohn, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter and video design by Luke Halls.

Following Chichester, the production transferred to the West End in London at the Noël Coward Theatre with previews beginning 29 October and press night on 17 November 2016. It featured the original Chichester cast and ran for ten months in the West End following three extensions to its limited run.{{Cite news|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/half-a-sixpence-close-west-end-noel-coward_43534.html|title=Half a Sixpence to close in the West End this September|work=WhatsOnStage.com|access-date=2017-05-07}} Combined with the Chichester run, the production played around 400 performances.{{Cite web|url=https://www.advertiser.ie/taggalway/event/922/irish-debut-for-the-new-half-a-sixpence-musical|title=Half a Sixpence to close in the West End this September|website=Whatsonstage.com|access-date=2017-05-05}}

Characters and cast

class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2" scope="col" \| Character ! scope="col" class="unsortable" \| Chichester ! scope="col" class="unsortable" \| West End
colspan="2" \|2016
scope="row" \|Arthur Kipps \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Charlie Stemp
scope="row" \|Chitterlow \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Ian Bartholomew
scope="row" \|Ann Pornick \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Devon-Elise Johnson
scope="row" \|Helen Walsingham \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Emma Williams
scope="row" \|Mrs Walsingham \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Vivien Parry
scope="row" \|Lady Punnet \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Jane How
scope="row" \|James Walsingham / Photographer \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Gerard Carey
scope="row" \|Swing \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| David Birch
scope="row" \|Mrs Bindo-Bott \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Kimberly Blake
scope="row" \|Uncle Bert \| style="text-align:center;" \| James Paterson \| style="text-align:center;" \| David Burrows
scope="row" \|Head Waiter / Assistant Dance Captain \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Nick Butcher
scope="row" \|Shalford / Foster \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Jon Conroy
scope="row" \|Mrs Wace / Dance Captain \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Jaye Julliet Elster
scope="row" \|Mr Wace \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Tim Hodges
scope="row" \|Sid Pornick \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Alex Hope
scope="row" \|Flo \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Bethany Huckle
scope="row" \|Swing \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Samantha Hull
scope="row" \|Mary \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Rebecca Jayne Davies
scope="row" \|Miss Ross \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Jenifer Louise Jones
scope="row" \|Hayes \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Matthew Dale
scope="row" \|Policeman \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Philip Marriott
scope="row" \|Carshot / Maxwell \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Harry Morrison
scope="row" \|Buggins \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Sam O' Rourke
scope="row" \|Pierce \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Callum Train
scope="row" \|Mildred \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Lauren Varnham
scope="row" \|Aunt Susan / Lady Dacre \| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \| Annie Wensak

class="wikitable"

! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Character

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Chichester

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | West End

colspan="2" |2016

scope="row" |Arthur Kipps

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Charlie Stemp

scope="row" |Chitterlow

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Ian Bartholomew

scope="row" |Ann Pornick

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Devon-Elise Johnson

scope="row" |Helen Walsingham

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Emma Williams

scope="row" |Mrs Walsingham

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Vivien Parry

scope="row" |Lady Punnet

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Jane How

scope="row" |James Walsingham / Photographer

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Gerard Carey

scope="row" |Swing

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | David Birch

scope="row" |Mrs Bindo-Bott

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Kimberly Blake

scope="row" |Uncle Bert

| style="text-align:center;" | James Paterson

| style="text-align:center;" | David Burrows

scope="row" |Head Waiter / Assistant Dance Captain

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Nick Butcher

scope="row" |Shalford / Foster

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Jon Conroy

scope="row" |Mrs Wace / Dance Captain

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Jaye Julliet Elster

scope="row" |Mr Wace

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Tim Hodges

scope="row" |Sid Pornick

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Alex Hope

scope="row" |Flo

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Bethany Huckle

scope="row" |Swing

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Samantha Hull

scope="row" |Mary

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Rebecca Jayne Davies

scope="row" |Miss Ross

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Jenifer Louise Jones

scope="row" |Hayes

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Matthew Dale

scope="row" |Policeman

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Philip Marriott

scope="row" |Carshot / Maxwell

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Harry Morrison

scope="row" |Buggins

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Sam O' Rourke

scope="row" |Pierce

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Callum Train

scope="row" |Mildred

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Lauren Varnham

scope="row" |Aunt Susan / Lady Dacre

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | Annie Wensak

Musical numbers

; Act I

"Half a Sixpence" - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick
"Look Alive" - Company
"Money to Burn" - Arthur Kipps, Mr Shalford, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Pierce and Flo
"Believe in Yourself" - Arthur Kipps and Helen Walsingham
"She's Too Far Above Me" - Arthur Kipps
"Money to Burn" (Reprise) - Arthur Kipps and Chitterlow
"A Proper Gentleman" - Arthur Kipps, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Pearce and Flo
"Half a Sixpence" (Reprise) - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick
"Long Ago" - Ann Pornick
"The Joy of the Theatre" - Chitterlow and Company
"Just a Few Little Things" - Helen Walsingham and Arthur Kipps
"A Little Touch of Happiness" - Ann Pornick and Flo
"If The Rain's Got to Fall" - Mrs Walsingham, Arthur Kipps, Foster, Helen Walsingham, Lady Punnet and Company

; Act II

"The One That's Run Away" - Chitterlow & Arthur Kipps
"Pick Out a Simple Tune" - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick
"You Never Get Anything Right / I Know Who I Am" - Arthur Kipps and 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 and Pierce
"Long Ago" (Reprise) - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick
"Flash Bang Wallop" - Arthur Kipps, Ann Pornick, Mr. Shalford, Pearce, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Flo, Photographer and Company
"Flash Bang Wallop" (Reprise)- Chitterlow, Arthur Kipps, Ann Pornick, Mr. Shalford, Pearce, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Flo, Photographer and Company
"Finale" - Company

{{col-end}}{{Infobox album

| name = Half a Sixpence (2016 Cast Recording)

| type = soundtrack

| longtype = cast recording

| artist = Various

| cover = Half_A_Sixpence_2016_Cast_Recording.jpg

| alt =

| released = {{Start date|df=yes|2016|11|18}}

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio =

| genre =

| length = {{duration|m=70|s=44}}

| label = First Night Records

| producer =

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

= Cast Recording =

On Friday 18 November 2016, the 2016 London Cast Recording was released by First Night Records on CD and iTunes digital download.{{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/half-sixpence-2016-london/id1171918257|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119183817/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/half-sixpence-2016-london/id1171918257|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 November 2016|title=Half a Sixpence (2016 London Cast Recording) by Various Artists on Apple Music|website=iTunes|access-date=2016-11-19}} It features 23 tracks and was recorded live during the final three performances in the Chichester run.{{Track listing

| extra_column =

| title1 = Half a Sixpence

| note1 =

| length1 = 2:49

| writer1 =

| extra1 =

| title2 = Look Alive

| note2 =

| length2 = 3:38

| writer2 =

| extra2 =

| title3 = Money To Burn / Money To Burn (Reprise)

| note3 =

| length3 = 4:25

| writer3 =

| extra3 =

| title4 = Believe In Yourself

| note4 =

| length4 = 2:12

| writer4 =

| extra4 =

| title5 = She's Too Far Above Me

| length5 = 1:51

| title6 = A Proper Gentleman

| length6 = 3:34

| title7 = Half a Sixpence (Reprise)

| length7 = 2:02

| title8 = Long Ago

| length8 = 1:47

| title9 = Back the Right Horse

| length9 = 2:55

| title10 = Just a Few Little Things

| length10 = 3:58

| title11 = A Little Touch of Happiness

| length11 = 3:33

| title12 = If the Rain's Got to Fall

| length12 = 4:27

| title13 = The One Who's Run Away

| length13 = 3:27

| title14 = Pick Out a Simple Tune

| length14 = 5:23

| title15 = You Never Get Anything Right / I Know Who I Am

| length15 = 3:08

| title16 = We'll Build a Palace / I Only Want a Little House

| length16 = 3:46

| title17 = In the Middle There's Me

| length17 = 2:50

| title18 = Long Ago (Reprise)

| length18 = 1:36

| title19 = Flash, Bang, Wallop

| length19 = 5:52

| title20 = Flash, Bang, Wallop (Reprise)

| length20 = 1:55

| title21 = Finale

| length21 = 1:15

| title22 = Simple Tune Bows

| length22 = 1:27

| title23 = Playout (Bonus Track)

| length23 = 3:21

| title24 = The Joy of the Theatre (Bonus Track)

| length = 3:54

| total_length =74:38

}}

Home media

A filmed recording of the 2016 West End production was broadcast on Sky Arts on Wednesday 29 December 2021 under the title of Kipps (the musical's new licensing name).{{Cite web|title=Half a Sixpence to be broadcast on TV this Christmas {{!}} WhatsOnStage|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/half-a-sixpence-to-be-broadcast-tv-christmas_55487.html|access-date=2021-12-12|website=www.whatsonstage.com|date=6 December 2021 |language=en-GB}}

Licensing

The musical is licensed through Music Theatre International Europe to professional and amateur productions under the title Kipps - The New Half a Sixpence Musical.

Awards and nominations

= London Production =

class="wikitable"

!Year

!Award Ceremony

!Category

!Nominee

!Result

!Ref

rowspan="16" |2017

| rowspan="5" |BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards

| colspan="2" |Best Revival of a Musical

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="5" |{{Cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/vote2016region.cfm|title=2016 BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards (UK / West End)|website=www.broadwayworld.com|access-date=2016-11-14}}

Best Actor in a New Production of a Musical

|Charlie Stemp

| {{nom}}

Best Actress in a New Production of a Musical

|Devon Elise-Johnson

| {{nom}}

Best Supporting Actress in a New Production of a Musical

|Emma Williams

| {{won}}

colspan="2" |Best New Regional Production

| {{won}}

rowspan="8" |Whatsonstage.com Awards

| colspan="2" |Best New Musical

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="8" |Bowie-Sell, Daisy. [http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/whatsonstage-awards-nominations-2017-harry-potter_42375.html Whats On Stage Awards Nominations 2017] Whats On Stage, 1 December 2016

Best Actor in a Musical

|Charlie Stemp

| {{won}}

Best Actress in a Musical

|Devon Elise-Johnson

| {{nom}}

Best Supporting Actor in a Musical

|Ian Bartholomew

| {{nom}}

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical

|Emma Williams

| {{won}}

Best Direction

|Rachel Kavanaugh

| {{nom}}

Best Choreography

|Andrew Wright

| {{won}}

Best Costume Design

|Paul Brown

| {{nom}}

rowspan="8" |Laurence Olivier Awards

|Best Actor in a Musical

|Charlie Stemp

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="3" |{{Cite web|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/full-list-of-olivier-award-nominees-announced_43052.html?cid=homepage_news|title= Full List of Olivier Award Nominees Announced|last=Bowie-Sell|first=Daisy|date=6 March 2017|work=Whats On Stage}}

Best Supporting Actor in a Musical

|Ian Bartholomew

| {{nom}}

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical

|Emma Williams

| {{nom}}

References

External links

Category:Musicals based on novels

Category:2016 musicals

Category:West End musicals

Category:British musicals

Category:Musicals by Julian Fellowes

Category:Adaptations of works by H. G. Wells