London Musicals 1965-1969.pub - Over The Footlights

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MAN WITH A LOAD OF MISCHIEF London run: Comedy Theatre, December 9 th (25 Performances) Music: John Clifton Lyrics: John Clifton & Ben Tarver Book: Ben Tarver Director: Tad Danielewski Cast: Leon Eagles (Innkeeper), Julia McKenzie (Wife), Paul Dawkins (Nobleman), Valentine Palmer (Manservant), Lady (Roberta d’Esti) 1968 23 Songs: Wayside Inn, Rescue, Once You’ve Had a Little Taste, Hulabaloo-balay, Come to the Masquerade, Make Way for My Lady. Story: A tale of romance and intrigue set in a country inn in early 19 th century England. A coach accident forces four travelers to spend the night at the inn: a lovely Lady and her maid, and a handsome Nobleman and his manservant. The Lady turns out to be a former actress who has become a royal mistress and has decided to run away from her lover, the Prince. The nobleman thinks he could earn some money and royal favour if he returns the Lady to the Palace. After much intriguing by the Innkeeper and his wife, the Lady ends up in love with the manservant, and after a series of complicated misunderstandings they determine to lead a life together free from the false pride and the foppish posturing of their shallow society. Notes: Based on the 1924 play by Ashley Dukes, this small-scale musical had a successful off-Broadway run of 241 performances. It was compared in style to “The Fantasticks” and its somewhat “twee” humour did not appeal to British audiences. MR AND MRS London run: Palace Theatre, December 11 th (44 performances) Book, music & lyrics: John Taylor Director: Ross Taylor Choreographer: Norman Maen & Ross Taylor Musical Director: Derek New Producer: George W. George & Frank Granat Cast: John Neville (Henry Gow), Honor Blackman (Doris), Hylda Baker (Mrs Rockett), Liz Edmiston (Elsie), Alan Breeze (Albert Godby) Songs: Millions of People, Happy Family, I Want to Dance, Big Wide World, If the Right Man Should Ask Me, Give Us a Kiss Notes: These were two separate musicals. “Mr” was adapted from Noel Coward’s “Fumed Oak” about the hen-pecked Henry Gow who finally asserts himself,. “Mrs” was adapted from “Still Life” which had earlier been the basis for the film “Brief Encounter”. The adaptations were by Ross Taylor. Photo by Reg Wilson These intimate and much-loved one-act plays were expanded and blown-up in a way that proved they did not need nor want the musical and stage treatment they got. They were updated and and vulgarised, and came in for a great deal of criticism. The show lasted just 44 performances. Alan Breeze & Hylda Baker
THE YOUNG VISITERS London run: Piccadilly Theatre, December 23 rd (63 Performances) Music: Ian Kellam Lyrics & Book: Michael Ashton Director: Martin Landau Choreographer: Malcolm Clare Musical Director: Alexander Faris Producer: Martin Landau 1968 24 Cast: Alfred Marks (Mr Ashford/Mr Salteena), Jan Waters (Miss Ethel Monticue), Vivienne Ross (Nancy/Bessie Topp), Anna Sharkey (Maud/Rosie Topp), Frank Thornton (Butler) , Tom Chatto Songs: Daisy Ashford’s Written a Book, First and Last Love, My Young Visiters and Me, The Kitchens at Rickamere Hall, An English Gentleman, Crystal Palace, Belted Early, In Love with the Girl I See. Story: The musical opens with a Prologue announcing that Daisy Ashford has written a story, and her family members then assume the characters in this story of “The Young Visiters”. In the story, the lovely Miss Ethel Monticue is pursued by Mr Salteena, who is not quite a gentleman, and his persistence takes them through the surroundings of Rickamere Hall even up to Buckingham Palace. However, Mr Salteena is ultimately obliged to settle for the hand of the maidservant, Rosie Topp. Photo by Houston Rogers Notes: Based on the book written in 1919 by the nine-year-old Daisy Ashford. Its gentle, delicate child-like style was a bit lost in a large theatre, and it did not run very long. However, it did have something of an after-life in smaller venues, especially as a family show around Christmas times. Frank Thornton (Butler) and Anna Sharkey (extreme right)
Page 1 and 2: WHO'S PINKUS? WHERE'S CHELM? London
Page 3 and 4: OLIVER (1 st Revival) London run: P
Page 5 and 6: SWEET CHARITY London run: Prince of
Page 7 and 8: 1968 YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE B
Page 9 and 10: I DO! I DO! London run: Lyric Theat
Page 11 and 12: THE STUDENT PRINCE (3 rd Revival) L
Page 13: HAIR London run: Shaftesbury Theatr

London Musicals 1965-1969.pub - Over The Footlights

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