London Musicals 1995-1999.pub - Over The Footlights

ACE OF CLUBS (1 st Revival)
London run : Wimbledon Studio, January 12 th – 30th
Music and lyrics: Noel Coward
Director: Jenny Lee
Choreographer: Angela Hardcastle
Musical Director: Paul Todd
Cast: Claire Carrie (Pinkie), Russell Wilcox (Sailor Boy),
Ellen O’Grady (Rita Marbury), Saskia Butler (Baby Belgrave),
Ronnie Letham (Jo Snyder), Peter Gale, Anthony Jordan, Paul Todd,
Nick Burnell
This was the first revival in almost 50 years, and was staged to mark the centenary
of Noel Coward’s birth.
Notes: Original London run: Cambridge Theatre, July 1950
1999
Claire Carrie
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HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS
WITHOUT REALLY TRYING (1 st Revival)
London run: Landor Theatre, February 26 th – March 20th
Music & Lyrics: Frank Loesser
Book: Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstein & Willie Gilbert
Director: Guy James
Choreographer: Sarah Beaumont
Musical Director: D.R.P.Owen
Cast: Adam Keast (J. Pierpoint Finch), Don Fellows (J.B.Biggeley),
Mark Sangster (Bud Frump), Katie Milton (Rosemary),
Alison Carter (Hedy la Rue), Claire Carpenter (Smitty),
Georgie Fellows(Miss Krumholz)
This fringe revival was notable for the appearance of veteran American
performer, Don Fellows, together with his youngest daughter,
Don Fellows & Adam Lycett
Georgie. Whilst the general view was it had been cleverly adapted to
the much smaller space, there was universal condemnation for the pre-recorded musical accompaniment – created
by synthesisers.
Notes: Original London Production: Shaftesbury Theatre, March 1963
ANIMAL CRACKERS (Re-staged)
London run: Lyric Theatre, March 16 th
(70 performances)
Music & Lyrics: Bert Kalmar & Harry Ruby
Additional songs: Chris Jordan
Book: George S. Kaufman & Morrie Ryskind
Director: Emil Wolk & Gregory Hersov
Choreographer: Susan Swanton
Musical Director: Chris Jordan
Producer: Royal Exchange, Manchester
Cast: Ben Keaton (Captain Spaulding “Groucho),
Toby Sedgewick (Professor “Harpo”),
Joseph Alessi (Ravelli “Chico”),
Jean Challis, Ben Keaton & Hilary O’Neill
Jean Challis (Mrs Rittenhouse),
Hilary O’Neill (Mrs Van Damme), Sarah Redmond, George Khan, Kerry Norton, Sian Williams, Susan Swanton,
Eric MacLennan, Rory Campbell, Peter J. Elliott, Richard Dax.
Originally played at the Barbican outdoors in June 1998, this Royal Exchange Manchester touring production now
moved into the West End for a season, with a few cast changes.
Photo by Sheila Burnett

FORBIDDEN BROADWAY (1 st
Revival)
London run: Jermyn Street, March 17th (Limited ten week season)
Transferred to Albery Theatre, August 3 rd (Limited 5 week season)
Music: Various
Book & Lyrics: Gerard Alessandri
Director: Philip George
Musical Director: Paul Knight
Cast: Sophie-Louise Dann, Mark O’Malley, Alistair Robins, Christine Pedi
Notes: A revised and updated version of the show which first played the Fortune Theatre
in March 1989. For some reason the earlier version never really caught on, but this time
the production was a great success, with much praise for the wit and wickedness of
Gerard Alessandri and an extremely versatile and funny cast. It transferred to the Albery
for a five week limited season.
1999
56
MAMMA MIA!
London run: Prince Edward, April 6 th – June 5 th 2004
Transferred: Prince of Wales, June 9 th , 2004 (Still running 2011)
Music & lyrics: Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus
Additional songs: Stig Anderson
Book: Catherine Johnson
Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Choreographer: Anthony van Laast
Musical Director: Martin Lowe
Cast: Siobhan McCarthy (Donna), Lisa Stokke (Sophie), Andrew Langtree (Sky),
Nicolas Colicos (Bill), Hilton McRae (Sam), Paul Clarkson (Harry),
Jenny Galloway (Rosie), Louise Plowright (Tanya), Eliza Lumley, Melissa Gibson,
Neal Wright, Nigel Harman, Tom Magdich, Caroline Sheen
Songs: Honey Honey, Money Money Money, Chiquitta, Dancing Queen, Lay All Your Love on Me, Gimme
Gimme Gimme, The Name of the Game, Knowing Me Knowing You, Take a Chance on Me, The Winner
Takes it All
Story: Sophie is about to marry a man called Sky, and would like her father to give her away at the wedding to
be held on a Greek island. The problem is, she doesn’t know which of her mother’s three former lovers, Bill,
Sam and Harry, is her real Dad. Her mother, Donna, a “raver” back in the Seventies, now runs a taverna on the
Greek Island, so Sophie secretly invites all her mother’s former lovers to attend the wedding, hoping to find out
which of them is the father she has never known. Meantime two of Donna’s friends, the gutsy Rosie and the
raunchy Tanya, try to get off
with the putative Dads.
Notes: Incorporating some
two dozen ABBA songs,
this had a workable and
funny plot-line, inspired by
Willy Russell’s “Shirley
Valentine” and a Gina
Lollobrigida film called
“ B u o n a S e r a , M r s
Campbell”. Mamma Mia”
was camp, fast-moving,
great fun and a big hit with
the critics and public alike.
(It was a Broadway hit in
2001, and in 2008 became a
successful film, with Meryl
Streep and Pierce Brosnan).
Photo by Catherine Ashmore

1999
ESCAPE FROM PTERODACTYL ISLAND
London run: Pleasance Theatre, April 9 th – May 9 th
Music: Michael Jeffrey
Book & Lyrics: Peter Morris
Director: Phillip George
Musical Director: Kate Edgar
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Photo by Ash AScott Lockter
Cast: Peter Alexander (Professor Devo), Emma Gannon (Madeleine Devo),
Paul Thornley (Professor Worthington), Louise van de Bours (Margaret),
Louisa McCarthy (Eve), Mark Frendo (Claude), Stuart Nurse (Malcolm),
Paul Keating (Benjamin/ Daedalus), Christopher Jefferson (Icarus)
Songs: Set Sail for Adventure, Say Flower
Story: Mad Professor Devo believes he can create a Brave New World
through genetic engineering – but a rival scientist arranges to get him killed.
The gunman misses the professor, killing instead the professor’s wife,
Madeleine, (though she survives long enough to sing a final farewell!).
Louise van de Bours Twenty-five years later another scientist, Professor Worthington, sails away
on an expedition (accompanied by his stowaway bride, Margaret) only to be
shipwrecked on an island inhabited by pterodactyls, a fur bikini-clad Eve,
Claude the Crab-Man, Malcolm the Neanderthal, and – yes! – Mad Professor Devo, even more deranged by grief
and the fruits of his misguided labours.
Notes: This was a rock musical in the same mould as “Return to the Forbidden Planet”, “Saucy Jack and the Space
Vixens” and the “Rocky Horror Show”. The majority of critics found it exuberant, versatile, entertaining and
intelligent, but a significant number claimed it was an artless, paper-thin rip-off.
CANDIDE (2 nd
Revival)
London run: Olivier Theatre, April 13 th (Repertoire until Jan 25 th 2000)
Music: Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics: Richard Wilber
Additional Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim, John Latouche, Lillian Hellman,
Dorothy Parker & Leonard Bernstein
Book: Hugh Wheeler in a new version by John Caird
Director: John Caird
Choreographer: Peter Darling
Musical Director: Mark W. Dorrell
Notes: In spite of
reservations over a small 14-piece band, and the
consequent loss of the orchestral sweep of
Bernstein’s score, this production was acclaimed
as the very best in a whole succession of attempts
to turn this sprawling, biting satire into a
workable theatre piece. It had first been staged in
the West End forty years earlier, with Denis
Quilley in the title role – and he was once more in
this revival, though in a different role. It ran until
January of the following year.
Original London production:
Saville Theatre, April 1959
First Revival: Old Vic, December 1988
Cast: Simon Russell Beale (Pangloss/Voltaire), Daniel Evans (Candide),
Alex Kelly (Cunegonde) , Beverley Klein (Old Woman), Simon Day (Maximilian),
Elizabeth Renihan (Paquette), Denis Quilley (Baron), Clive Rowe, David Burt,
Alexander Hanson, Myra Sands, Richard Henders
Photo by Catherine Ashmore

INNER CITY JAM
London run: Cockpit Theatre, April 14 th – May 17 th
Music & Lyrics: Eve Merriam and Helen Miller
Adapted by: Paul J.Medford
Director: Paul J. Medford
Choreographer: Dollie Henry
Musical Director: Paul Jenkins
Cast: John Ashton, Chris Dyer, Danny Edwards, Ann Emery,
Alison Jiear, Hannah Lawrence, Juliet Roberts, Paul L. Sharma
1999
58
Songs: It’s My Belief, Deep in the Night, Woman to Woman
Story: This originated as a 1971 off-Broadway gospel-rock
portrait of the poor and dispossessed of the New York slums
and ghettos. This re-written version was set in down-at-heel
King’s Cross, with a cross-section of London’s hard-up, downat-heel
folk struggling to get by. Joy, a West Indian matriarch
has seen her son, Junior, shot dead by the police – and only her
faith can keep her going. She is surrounded by an assortment of
Hannah Lawrence, Paul Sharma
street-wise characters, a pregnant unmarried teenager, two
& Chris Dyer
homeless men sleeping rough, a bag-lady, a drug-dealer, a
prostitute, and a mad old woman who carried tap-shoes in her handbag and thinks she’s Elizabeth Taylor.
Notes: Although there is no real plot, the songs, dances and staging create a heart-warming affirmation of the
human spirit and its ability to rise above all the knock-backs that life can throw in the way. It was much
praised.
Photo by Nikki Sianni
NEW ROCKY HORROR SHOW (4 th Revival)
London run: Victoria Palace, April 14 th – June 5 th
Music & Lyrics: Richard O’Brien
Director: Christopher Malcolm
Choreographer: Stacey Haynes
Musical Director: Peter Whitfield
Producer: Christopher Malcolm, Rocky Horror London
Ltd
Cast: Nicholas Parsons/Ken Morley (Narrator)
Jason Donovan ((Frank-n-Furter),
Ross O’Hennessy (Rocky Horror),
Stuart De La Mere (Brad), Simona Morecroft (Janet),
Georgie Haynes (Riff-Raff), Laurie Brett (Magenta),
Gael Johnson (Columbia), Mark White (Eddie/Dr Scott)
Once again back in the West End celebrating the show’s
25 th anniversary, no one could quite work out why it was
billed as the “New” Rocky Horror Show. Neither the
scenery nor costumes looked new, and, according to the
Evening Standard, this was the cheapest looking
production yet staged. However, Jason Donovan was
effective as Frank.
Photo by BBC
Jason Donovan
Notes: See original production:
Theatre Upstairs (Royal Court), June 19 th 1973
Transferred to the Comedy Theatre, April 1979
First revival: Piccadilly Theatre, July 1990
Second revival: Duke of York’s, June 1994
Third revival: Duke of York’s May 1995

1999
FINGS AIN’T WHAT THEY USED TO BE
(1 st Revival)
London run: Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, April 19th (Limited season)
Music and Lyrics: Lionel Bart
Book: Frank Norman.
Director: Bob Carlton
Choreographer: Liz Marsh
Musical Director: Carol Sloman
59
Cast: Steve Edwin (Fred), Diana Croft (Lily),
Dale Superville, Tony Hunt, Liz Marsh, Nina Lucking,
Richard Brightiff, Phil Hearne
Although staged at the furthest reaches of Greater London, and not really
qualifying for a “West End” listing, this was a notable production since it was
the first major revival in almost 40 years. Lionel Bart himself was working on the production, and preparing
some new lyrics, when he died, just two weeks before the opening night. It was staged with the cast doubling
as the orchestra and playing their own instruments.
Notes: Original London production: Garrick Theatre, February 1960
A SAINT SHE AIN’T
London run: Kin’s Head, April 29 th – May 30 th
Transferred to Apollo Theatre, 22nd September (133 performances)
Music: Denis King
Book & Lyrics: Dick Vosburgh
Director: Ned Sherrin
Choreographer: Lindsay Dolan
Musical Director: Chris Walker
Cast: Rae Baker (Anna Bagalucci), Gavin Lee (Danny O’Reilley),
Pauline Daniels (Mrs Fay Bogle), Barry Cryer (Snaveley T. Bogle),
Vincent Marzello, Brian Greene, Jessica Martin, Robert Norris, Michael Roberts.
Songs: Mr Molière, The Navy’s in Town, My All American Gal, I Love to Hold Rose with the Rolled Hose,
You’re the Only Star in my Heaven, The Joke’s on Me, The Banana For My Pie
Story: Anna Bagalucci (a Rita Hayworth type) announces she is going to marry Danny O’Reilley, a sailor on
leave, even though her father is dead set against it. But Anna’s lost
locket with a photo of Danny is found by raunchy Mrs Fay Bogle (a
Mae West type), who fancies Danny and aims to get her man. Anna
thinks Danny is being unfaithful, and meantime, the aged drunk, Mr
Bogle (a W.C.Fields type) confuses Danny, leading him to believe
that Anna is the actual Mrs Bogle.
Notes: Based on “Sganarelle, ou le cocu imaginaire” by Molière,
this is a send-up of the 1940s musical where sailors on leave would
meet up and fall in love with Rita Hayworth types, get into a series of
misunderstanding and farcical situations, but eventually have a happy
ending. With clever parodies of period songs, some wonderful puns
and terrible jokes, this was deemed to be a delightful night’s
entertainment. It ran a month at the King’s Head, and was then restaged
for a four month run at the Apollo, finishing in January 2000.

Photo by Ash Scott Lockyetr
Rachel Izen, Jack Rebaldi, Paul Tate, & David Bradshaw
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1999
BLESS THE BRIDE (2 nd Revival)
London run: King’s Head, June 8 th - August 22 nd
Music: Vivian Ellis
Book & Lyrics: A. P. Herbert
New adaptation: Martin Charnin
Director: Martin Charnin
Choreographer: Petra Siniawski
Musical Director: Elliot Davis
Cast: Judy Campbell (Old Lucy Veracity Willow),
Tiffany Edwards (Young Lucy Willow),
Jack Rebaldi (Pierre Fontaine),
Charles Armstrong (Thomas Trout),
Rachel Izen (Suzette),
Patricia Lancaster (Mary Willow),
Alan Thompson (Augustus Willow),
Guillaume Tobo, Kimberley Barker,
Joanna Kirkland, Abby Taylor
Martin Charnin (creator of “Annie” etc.) staged his own adaptation of “Bless the Bride”, starting with a
flashback from early in the Second World War, and giving it a kind of “Brideshead Revisited” feel. This rewritten
version was much praised, and several critics felt it gave a new lease of life to what was formerly a very
dated and old-fashioned show.
Notes: Original London run: Adelphi Theatre, April 1947
First revival: Sadler’s Wells, August 1987
BOYBAND
London run: Gielgud Theatre, June 8 th (79 performances)
Music & Lyrics: Various
Book: Peter Quilter
Director: Peter Rowe
Choreographer: Emma Victoria
Musical Director:
Cast: Kevin Andrew (Adam),
Tom Ashton (Matt),
Daniel Crossley (Danny),
Damien Flood (Sean), Stepps (Jay),
Bryan Murray (Wayland), William
Oxborrow, Caroline Head,
Richard Taylor-Woods, Hayley Tarmaddon
Notes: This was a cross between a rock concert and a documentary
account of the rise and tribulations of a fictitious boy band. Five boys,
Adam, Matt, Danny, Sean and Jay are moulded into a pop-group called
Freedom under the control of Wayland, their exploitative promoter. Their
contract forbids smoking, drinking and sex, since nothing must threaten
their squeaky-clean image. Along the way they have to deal with one
band member’s drug problem, and another’s emerging homosexuality,
and a developing hatred between two of the boys. All in all this story
bore many similarities to real-life stories from existing groups like Take
That and others. However, ultimately it was the final concert that had the
audience screaming for more, since these boys really could produce the
goods. As one of the critics asked, “When did you last see a boy band
that can really sing?”. It ran for just ten weeks.

SOUL TRAIN – THE MUSICAL
London run: Victoria Palace, June 22 nd (95 performances)
Music: Various
Director: Mark Clements
Choreographer: Stephen Mear
Musical Director: Clement Ishmael
Cast: Sharon Benson, Jacqui Boatswain, Sheila Ferguson, C. Gerod Harris,
Danny John-Jules, Melanie E Marshall, Karen McSween, David Obinyan,
Jason Pennycooke, Colin Roy, Vanessa Smith
1999
Songs: Proud Mary, Cigarettes and Coffee, Dock of the Bay, If You Don’t Know Me By Now, Why Can’t We
Live Together?, Natural Woman, Higher and Higher
Notes: Another “jukebox” musical with hardly any plot – this offered some 47 songs (or bits of songs) – and
was ostensibly a dramatised history of soul music, starting with a church-type gospel choir who then rip off
their cassocks to reveal sequinned dresses, and illustrate the story with video projections of the Ku Klux Klan
and the Vietnam War. It was described as a “lazy, ramshackle and short-lived excuse for a show”, but a
superbly sung and performed celebration of black music. It closed after just ten weeks.
61
DO I HEAR A WALTZ?
London run: Landor, June 25 th – July 17 th
Music: Richard Rodgers
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Book: Arthur Laurents
Director: Myles Stinton
Musical Director: Danny Whitby
Cast: Rebecca Little (Leona Samish), Ras Johansen (Renato di Rossi),
Kate Copstick (Signora Floria), Susan Scott (Mrs McIlhenny),
Tom Murphy (Mr McIlhenny), Leanh Sharman, Paul Callaghan,
Daisy Moon, Damon Unwin, Nicki Inman
Songs: Someone Woke Up, This Week Americans, What do we Do? – We Fly!,
Someone Like You, Here We Are Again, Take the Moment, Moon in My
Window, We’re Gonna Be All Right, Stay.
Story: Taking place in Venice, the tale concerns Leona Samish who has an intense but doomed affair with
Renato Di Rossi, a married shopkeeper. Originally this was to have
been a show with no dancing, but a feature of the plot involved
Leona claiming she would always recognise true love because she
would hear an imaginary waltz in her head. During the try-outs it
was decided she would not just sing about it, but dance it as well.
Notes: Based on Arthur Laurents’s play “The Time of the Cuckoo”,
this was Richard Rodgers first show following the death of Oscar
Hammerstein II. Although Sondheim was reluctant to return to
writing lyrics to other people’s music, he felt this was a duty he
owed the late Hammerstein. In the end it was a collaboration that
did not work out, with both composer and lyricist declaring their
unhappiness and general dissatisfaction with each other. However,
the score ended up with some excellent and lasting songs. “Do I
Hear a Waltz” opened on Broadway in March 1965 and ran for a
meagre 220 performances. This was it its first professional
production in London (though two concert versions and a Guildhall
School of Music had been staged earlier.)
Ras Johansen & Rebecca Little

FLOYD COLLINS
London run: Bridewell, July 13 th – 31 st
Music & Lyrics: Adam Guettel
Book: Tina Landau
Director: Clive Paget
Choreographer: Caroline Salem
Musical Director: Nicholas Mojsiejenko
1999
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Cast: Nigel Richards (Floyd Collins), Anna Francolini (Nellie Collins),
Craig Purnell (Homer Collins), Jeremy David (Skeets Miller),
Derek Bell (H.T. Carmichael), Philip Wrigley, Colin Hill, Scott Fleming,
Ian Burford, Jill Martin
Songs: The Call, It Moves, Time to Go, Where a Man Belongs, And She’d Have Blue
Eyes, Through the Mountains. The Dream, How Glory Goes
Story: Based on real-life characters, this is set in 1925 Kentucky during the “Cave Wars”, when farmers and
land-owners competed to attract tourists to the elaborate caves discovered beneath their lands. Floyd Collins,
in search of just such a commercial opportunity, discovers a new cave, goes deep down inside and gets trapped
when his leg is buried beneath falling rubble. His family and his fellow cavers try to free him; when it becomes
clear that his rescue will not be easy, his brother Homer spends the night in the cave with him. "Skeets" Miller,
a cub reporter, is able to squeeze through and visit with Floyd, relaying stories which were printed in the news.
Despite massive efforts, all attempts at rescue fail, and he becomes the subject of a media circus, with, at one
point, some 30,000 people gathered around the Sand Cave. After thirteen days, despite all efforts to rescue
him, he died, starved and mad. The story also involves H.T. Carmichael, an engineer with misplaced faith in
the ability of his machines to effect a rescue, and Floyd’s distraught sister, Nellie.
Notes: Originally a 1996 off-Broadway production, this show won several awards. Adam Guettel is the son of
Mary Rodgers, and the grandson of composer Richard Rodgers. His music and lyrics for this show were much
praised, with its style drawn from bluegrass, American folk and classical chorales and scored for an eight-piece
band including harmonica, banjo and acoustic guitar.
BETWEEN LOVE AND PASSION
London run: New End Theatre, July 15 th – August 15 th
Music: Will Todd
Lyrics: Daniel Hopkins
Book: Matt Avery & David Nicholls.
Director: Charlotte Conquest
Musical Director: Peter Lole
Cast: Daniel Brown (Teddy van Beck), Kerry-Ann Smith (Helen Catos), Lynden Edwards (Stuart Oldthorne),
Daniel Hopkins (Gus Meyers), Sarah Ingram (Betty O’Brien)
Story: An impoverished composer, Teddy van Beck, meets a high-class society lady, Helen Catos, and they
fall in love. Teddy stays on in Paris to finish his symphony, and she returns to New York, only to marry
wealthy polo-playing Stuart Oldthorne. The story moves on some years. Teddy returns to New York, marries
Betty O’Brien, a loveable Irish waitress, then Stuart loses everything in a stock market crash. Teddy is being
pressed to complete a concerto by his vulgar patron, Gus Myers, but finds he cannot do it without the
inspiration of his first and only love, Helen.
Notes: Adapted from “The Beautiful and the Damned” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, this received diametrically
opposing notices: “it has all the hallmarks of being one of the musical success of the year”; “a wonderfully
melodious score”; “Between Love and Passion? More like Between Indifference and Dreariness”;
“Uninspired music, unimaginative lyrics”.

1999
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM
(2nd Revival)
London run: Open Air, Regent’s Park, July 23 rd – August 31st
Music & Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Book: Burt Shevelove & Larry Gelbart
Director: Ian Talbot
Choreographer: Lisa Kent
Musical Director: Catherine Jayes
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Cast: Roy Hudd (Pseudolus), Gavin Muir (Hysterium), Michael Tudor Barnes (Senex),
Ken Wynne (Erronius), Peter Forbes (Lycas), Susie Blake (Domina), Rhashan Stone (Hero),
Claire Carrie (Philia), Peter Gallagher (Miles Gloriosus), Rebecca Hartley, Sara Hillier
Notes: See Original London Production, Strand October 1963
First revival: Piccadilly Theatre, November 1986
Photo by Alastair Muir
Peter Gallagher, Natasha Bain, Sara Hillier, Fiona Dunn, Rachel Matthews & Rebecca Hartley
I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE!
London run: Comedy Theatre, July 28 th (69 performances)
Music: Jimmy Roberts
Book & Lyrics: Joe Dipietro
Director: Joe Bishoff
Musical Director: David Beer
Cast: Clive Carter, Gillian Kirkpatrick, Shona Lindsay, Russell Wilcox
Songs: Cantata for a First Date, A Stud and a Babe, Single Man Drought,
Marriage Tango, Always a Bridesmaid, The Baby Song, I Can Live With That.
Notes: On the surface this was yet another revue about “relationships”, however
Joe Dipietro had crafted something more skilful. This was a series of songs and
sketches, some very funny, some touching, beginning with the nerves about a
first date, then moving through a breakdown in the relationship, followed by a
wedding, the birth of a baby, and then, finally a funeral. The show originated
off-Broadway in 1996, where it ran for over four years. Accompanied with
piano and violin, and with a cast of just four, it had mixed reviews for its London
debut and ran for just nine weeks.

1999
FOUR STEPS TO HEAVEN
London run: Piccadilly Theatre, August 2 nd
72 performances)
Music: Various
Director: Keith Strachan
Musical Director: James Compton
Producer: Bill Kenwright
Cast: Peter Howarth (Roy Orbison),
Rebel Dean (Elvis Presley),
Kludo White (Eddie Cochran),
Reuven Gershon (Buddy Holly)
Notes: In the first half each singer had a solo
spot, re-creating the famous hits but with each
section ending with appropriate images – plane
Rebel Dean as Elvis
crashes, etc. In the second half all four were reunited
for a “heavenly group” concert. The
production had been on a UK tour and came into the West End because of a gap in the Piccadilly’s
programming. The London Evening Standard critic said: “ Rock’n’roll will never die, but it isn’t looking too
healthy at the Piccadilly. In this compilation tribute concert, unconvincing lookalikes impersonate dead rock
legends. . . and murder their songs”. It ran for nine weeks.
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OF THEE I SING
London run: Bridewell, August 4 th – September 4 th
Music: George Gershwin
Lyrics: Ira Gershwin
Book: George S. Kaufman & Morrie Ryskind
Director: Jonathan Best
Choreographer: Stephen Mear
Musical Director: Jonathan Gill
Cast: Gavin Lee (John P. Wintergreen), Fiona Benjamin (Mary Turner),
Michael Winsor (Alexander Throttlebottom), Sarah Redmond (Diana Devereaux),
Peter Gale (French Ambassador), Jonjo O’Neill, Don Fellows.
Songs: Wintergreen for President, Because Because, Love is Sweeping the
Country, Here’s a Kiss for Cinderella, Who Cares? Hello Good Morning, The
Illegitimate Daughter, Some Girls Can Bake a Pie
Story: In an American Presidential Election Campaign John P. Wintergreen is
running for office, with Alexander Throttlebottom as his Vice Presidential
running mate. They are aided by Mary Turner (soon to be Mrs Wintergreen),
and their campaign song, “Of Thee I Sing”. But back in the past Wintergreen
had broken off his engagement to Diana Devereaux (a former Miss America),
and because she is “the illegitimate daughter of the illegitimate son of an
illegitimate nephew of Napoleon” this has insulted the French nation. A
diplomatic row ensues, but things are resolved when the would-be First Lady
manages to give birth to twins, and the honour of France is assuaged when the
Vice-President elect offers to marry Diana in the place of Wintergreen (because
under the USA Constitution, when the President is unable to fulfil his duties, his
obligations are assumed by the Vice-President.)
Notes: The Gershwin satire opened in December 1931 and ran for 441
performances – one of the biggest Broadway hits of the 1930s – and won a
Pulitzer Prize. In 1998 (the Gershwin Centenary Year) Opera North staged the
British premiere in a touring production. This Bridewell production was its
London debut.

1999
OH! WHAT A NIGHT
London run: Hammersmith Apollo, August 5 th (84 performances)
Music: Various
Book: Christopher Barr, Kim Gavin, Stuart Littlewood
Director- Choreographer: Kim Gavin
Musical Director: Chris Taylor
Cast: Michael Howe (Paul Burns), Kid Creole (Brutus T. Firefly),
Lucy Moorby (Nikki), Dean Maynard (Jack), John Altman (Rocco),
Will Mellor (Rik), Victoria Wilson-James (Roxie), Nigel Roche,
Gary Lloyd, Rebecca Reaney, Tee-Jaye
Songs: When I Need You, Hustle, Car Wash, Play that Funky Music,
YMCA, Easy, Celebration, Easy Like Sunday Morning
Story: Paul Burns runs the Inferno Disco, aided by Brutus T. Firefly,
his highly energetic DJ. But Paul’s life is not easy: firstly he has a drink problem, next he has a daughter,
Nikki, engaged to boring chauvinist accountant Jack. Jack, however, has a gangster brother, Rocco – and
Rocco is scheming to swindle Paul out of his business and sign over the disco to Rocco himself. Meantime, a
new barman, Rik, is appointed, and he falls in love with Nikki. Whilst all this is going on, a film-director
called Roxie arrives, wanting to hire the Disco for her next film, and to audition its clientele for suitable singers
and dancers.
Notes: This show originated in Manchester, and even though it had a somewhat complicated plot, it was
effectively yet another compilation musical. It had two TV soap-operas stars and an American rock star in its
cast, and was lavishly staged. However, it only managed a ten week run.
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THE PAJAMA GAME (1 st Revival)
London run: Victoria Palace, October 4 th (88 performances)
Music & Lyrics: Richard Adler & Jerry Ross
Book: George Abbott & Richard Bissell
Director: Simon Callow
Choreographer: David Bintley
Musical Director: Nick Barnard
Producer: Birmingham Rep
Cast: John Hegley (Hines), Leslie Ash (Babe Williams),
Graham Bickley (Sid Sorokin), Jenny Ann Topham (Gladys), Anita Dobson (Mabel),
Jonathan D. Ellis (Prez), John Levitt (Mr Hasler)
Notes: During the pre-London
tour the lead female role was
played by Ulrika Jonsson, who
withdrew and her part was taken
by Leslie Ash. It was 45 years
since the show had last been in
London, but generally the critics
felt it had not been worth
reviving – especially in what
was described as a lacklustre
production with some very
peculiar scenery designs by the
abstract painter, Frank Stella. It
ran for ten weeks.
Anita Dobson & John Hegley
Original London run:
Coliseum, October, 1955.

THE BEGGAR’S OPERA (5 th Revival)
London run: Bridewell, October 5 th – 23rd
Music: arranged by Greg Palmer
New adaptation: Justin Gregson & Adrian Jackson
Additional text: Terry O’Leary
Director: Adrian Jackson
Choreographer: Linda Dobell
Musical Director: Greg Palmer
Cast: Dele Adagunodo (Peachum), Mary King (Mrs Peachum),
Victoria Ward (Polly Peachum), James Staddon (Macheath),
Alexandra Howlett (Jenny Diver), Sophie Langham (Lucy Lockitt),
Graham Kent (Lockitt)
This was a joint production between the English National Opera’s
outreach programme and Cardboard Citizens, Britain’s only
professional theatre company for the homeless. The anticipation was a
telling comment on how little had changed from the 18 th century’s
attitude to the poor and the ruling class. But the end result was felt to
be a bit of a mess: the show was frequently interrupted with videodiary
sound-bites from both fictional characters and today’s real
Victoria Ward & James Staddon
homeless projected on a bank of TV monitors; the action was held up with some strange karaoke-type pop
songs including “Love and Marriage”, “It’s Not Unusual”, “Thank Heaven for Little Girls” and even
“Jealousy”, sung by Lucy Lockit strapped into a wheelchair. . . It was generally considered to be wellintentioned,
but an experiment that had not quite come off.
Notes: See Aldwych Theatre, July 16 th, 1963;
1st revival: Apollo, September 12 th 1968; 2nd revival: Lyric Hammersmith, August 1980;
2nd revival: Cottesloe, July 1982; 4th revival: Barbican, April 1993
1999
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Photo by Dee Conway
GREAT BALLS OF FIRE (1st revival)
London run: Cambridge Theatre, October 6 th (85 performances)
Music: Various
Book: Todd Wm Ristau & Richard Cameron
Director: Simon Usher
Choreographer: Tim Flavin
Musical Director: Neil McArthur
Cast: Billy Geraghty (Jerry Lee Lewis), Neil Henry (Young Jerry),
Heather-Jay Jones (Myra), John Bannister, Kim Bretton,
Amelda Brown, Eddie Burton, Stuart Callaghan, Simon Fogg,
Liam Grundy
Songs: Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On, That’s What I Am, Don’t Put
No Headstones on my Grave
Notes: The life-story of Jerry Lee Lewis could have been an amazing
evening in the theatre – two bigamous marriages, wife number three
being 13 years old, two sons dying in accidents, being arrested
outside Graceland brandishing a gun and demanding to see Elvis,
shooting his bass player while blasting holes in his office door – but,
no! This was a highly sanitised version of his life: Jerry - criticised
for jazzing up hymns at Bible college, then the cliché moment when
the hostile record producer suddenly realises the hick lad has got
talent, skipping very lightly over the marriages, and then the
obligatory rock concert with all the well-known Jerry Lee Lewis hits.
However, this show was saved by an amazing performance from
Billy Geraghty as the older Jerry, and audiences loved it (though the
critics were not so keen). It ran for nine weeks.
Billy Geraghty
Original production: Lyric Hammersmith, 1994

SPEND SPEND SPEND
London run: Piccadilly Theatre, October 12 th (342 performanes)
Music: Steve Brown
Book & Lyrics: Steven Brown & Justin Greene
Director: Jeremy Sams
Choreographer: Craig Horwood
Musical Director: Dane Preece
1999
Cast: Barbara Dickson (Viv Nicholson), Rachel Leskovac (Young Viv),
Steve Houghton (Keith), Jeff Shankley (George), Jonathan Burn,
Tania Caridia, Susan Fay, Kate Harbour, Marjorie Keys, Gary Milner,
Craig Nicholls, Stuart Nurse, Stuart Pendred, Robin Samson, Jeff Shankley,
Nicola Sloane, Duncan Smith, Jamie Somers, Mary Stockley , Paul Thornloy.
Songs: Ice Cream Girl, I'll Take Care Of Thee, Sexual Happening, Special
Day, Boy Next Door, Scars Of Love, The Miners arms, Drinking In America,
Who's Gonna Love Me?, A Brand New Husband, Spent Spent Spent
Story: In 1961, Viv Nicolson, a Yorkshire housewife, won £152,319 in the football pools. When a reporter
asked her what she planned to do with her new fortune, she replied, "I'm going to spend, spend, spend!" which
is exactly what she did. The story is told in flashback, beginning with Viv Nicholson in the hairdressing salon
in Castleford, where she still works. She tells of her younger self, her relationship with her Dad, George, and a
rags-to-riches-to-rags-again story that takes her through five husbands, the most important of whom was Keith,
killed in a road accident. The story continues with expensive cars, including a pink Chevrolet, fur coats,
jewels, a battle with alcohol, Inland Revenue officials gathering like vultures, and consequent bankruptcy.
Finally, unable to cope with the rapidly disappearing wealth and fame, she eventually spirals downward.
Notes: The musical had its first performance in 1998 at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. The London
production opened in October and ran until August in the following year. It won the Evening Standard and
Critics’ Circle Awards as Best Musical, and Barbara Dickson won the Olivier Award for the Best Actress in a
Musical. It ended on August 5 th 2000 – a run of over nine months.
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THE LION KING
London run: Lyceum Theatre, October 19 th (Still running 2011)
Photo by J. Marcus

THE LION KING
London run: Lyceum Theatre, October 19 th (Still running 2011)
Music & Lyrics: Elton John & Tim Rice
Additional music: Lebo M and others.
Book: Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi
Director: Julie Taymor
Choreographer: Garth Fagan
Musical Director: Colin Welford
Producer: Disney
Cast: Josette Bushell-Mingo (Rafifki), Cornell John (Mufasa),
Dawn Michael (Sarabi), Daniel Anthony/Ross Coates (Young Simba),
Roger Wright (Simba), Rob Edwards (Scar), Simon Gregor (Timon),
Martyn Ellis (Pumbaa), Stephanie Charles, Paul J. Medford,
Christopher Holt, Paulette Ivory.
Songs: Circle of Life, The Morning Report, I Just Can’t Wait to be King, They
Live in You, Hakuna Matata, One by One, Endless Night, Can You Feel the
Love Tonight
Story: With occasional contributions from a witch
doctor figure, Rafiki, the story opens with Mufasa
and his wife Sarabi presenting Simba, their new heir, to the people. However, Scar,
Mufasa’s evil brother, covets the throne for himself, and arranges for Mufasa to be
murdered, and for Simba to be banished. Eventually the grown-up Simba - having
been cared for by Timon, the Meercat, and Pumbaa, the warthog – battles his uncle
and his own personal fears, and returns to take his rightful place as the Lion King.
Notes: Adapted from the Disney film in a brilliant production using masks, puppetry,
ballet, music, colour and African rhythms, this musical opened on Broadway in
November 1997, and is still running (November 2011). Having cost some $15 million
dollars to stage, the scenery, costumes, puppets, lighting and entire production were
hugely praised and it was acclaimed as one of the West End’s greatest ever pieces of
theatrical staging.
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Photo by J. Marcus
TESS OF THE D’URBERVILLES
London run: Savoy Theatre, November 10 th (77 performances)
Music: Stephen Edwards
Lyrics: Justin Fleming
Book: adapted by Karen Louise Hebden
Director: Karen Louise Hebden
Choreographer: Terry John Bates
Musical Director: Not credited?
Cast: Poppy Tierney/Phillipa Healey (Tess), Maxine Fone (Young Tess),
Jonathan Monks/Robert Irons (Angel Clare), Alasdair Harvey (Alec D’Urberville)
Story: The first half of Hardy’s novel is revealed in a flashback: young Tess
Durbeyfield was seduced by her noble-born cousin, Alec Durberville, who then
abandoned her after the birth and death of their illegitimate child. Tess tries to bury her
past by marrying her true love, the gentle farmer, Angel Clare – but Alec re-appears,
only to be killed by Tess herself. In the finale, at Stonehenge, two policemen lead her
off to be hanged
Notes: Adapted from Thomas Hardy’s novel. The critic Bill Hagerty summed it up as “Thomas Hardy’s heroine
Tess was a mess, wretched and doomed, and the musical at the Savoy is much the same” This was a sung-through
show which included country dancing by “buxom elderly milkmaids frolicking on the kind of village green last
seen in Palladium pantomimes circa 1955” (The Spectator). At the opening performance the role of Angel Clare
was played at the last moment by the understudy, Robert Irons, replacing Jonathan Monks (“who had the good
fortune to be unwell” – Mail on Sunday). The show was universally criticised for its mind-numbing banality, and
its musical hubris. It ran for ten weeks.

THE BEGGAR’S OPERA (6 th Revival)
London run: Wilton’s Music Hall, November 24 th – December 18th
Music & adaptation: Jonathan Lloyd
Director: Jonathan Miller
Musical Director: Charles Hazlewood
Producer: Broomhill Opera
Cast: Mike Burnside (Peachum), Buffy Davis (Mrs Peachum), Ali McGregor (Polly Peachum),
Michael Feast (Macheath), Bianca Campbell (Jenny Diver), Tara Harrison (Lucy Lockitt),
David Kincaid (Lockitt)
1999
London’s second “Beggar’s Opera” in a month was judged to be another mish-mash and a tedious drawn-out
failure, despite being directed by Jonathan Miller. The musical arrangements were odd – using accordion,
banjo, guitar and swing bass; the interpolation of references to the Ride of the Valkyries, Over the Rainbow and
similar (to replace Handel’s “Rinaldo” quotes) seemed inappropriate; and an attempt to set the piece in
Victorian London but then have Macheath make his first entrance in a cowboy suit was mystifying. Casting
the show with actors who were mostly not singers, and stretching the whole thing to a three hour performance
was felt to have added to the general dismay.
Notes: See Aldwych Theatre, July 16 th, 1963;
1st revival: Apollo, Sep 1968; 2nd revival: Lyric Hammersmith, Aug 1980;
3rd revival: Cottesloe, Jul 1982; 4th revival: Barbican, Apr 1993; 5th revival: Bridewell, Oct 1999
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SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS
(2nd Revival)
London run: BAC Main, December 1 st – January 15th
Music: Gene de Paul
Lyrics: Johnny Mercer
Book: Lawrence Kasha & David Landay
New songs: Al Kasha & Joel Hirschorn
Director: Phil Willmott
Choreographer: Jack Gunn
Musical Director: Annemarie Lewis Thomas
Cast: Kieran Creggan (Adam), Fiona Benjamin (Milly), James Bowden,
Andrew Lawden, Samuel James, Matthew Dennison, Daniel Redmond,
Julian Essex-Spurrier, Kate Burrell, Laura Conway, Lorraine Graham,
Joanne Kirkland, Laura Roxburgh, Rachel Matthews.
Phil Willmott’s annual Christmas musical at the pocket-handkerchief sized BAC stage was established as a
source of exuberant, low-cost, high-entertainment theatre – and, once again – his production received excellent
notices.
Notes: See original London run: Old Vic July1985
First revival: Prince of Wales, May 1986.

HONK
London run: Olivier Theatre, December 16 th – March 25 th
Music & Lyrics: George Stiles and Anthony Drewe
Director: Julia McKenzie
Choreographer: Aletta Collins
Musical Director: Michael Haslam
Cast: David Burt (Drake/Bullfrog), Beverley Klein (Ida),
Gilz Terera (Ugly), Jasper Britton (Cat), Ceri-Ann Gregory (Penny),
David Bamber (Gander Greylag), Myra Sands (Grace),
1999
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Songs: A Poultry Tale, The Joy of Motherhood, Hold Your Head Up High, You
Can Play With Your Food, Different, It Takes All Sorts, Meeting Moggy, Warts
and All
Story: “Honk!” tells the story of an odd looking baby duck, Ugly, and his quest to find his mother. Soon after
Ugly is born, he is seduced away by a wily Cat who wants to eat Ugly for dinner. Eventually, Ugly escapes but
has no idea how to return home. Along his way, he encounters a beautiful swan, Penny, tangled in a fishing
line. After saving her, the two birds fall in love. However, she must return to her flock and fly south for the
winter. Eventually, Ugly’s mother finds him frozen in snow. Luckily, her warm tears manage to thaw him out
and he comes back to life – as a handsome swan! Soon, Ugly is reunited with Penny and the two swans decide
to live the rest of their days in the same pond as Ugly’s loyal mother. The underlying theme is about being
different, about bullying, about discovering who you really are and feeling good about it.
Notes: It won the Olivier Award for the Best Musical, and went on to have considerable success in adult and
children’s productions and (in a rewritten
version) with American
audiences. It was based on Hans
Christian Andersen’s “Ugly Duckling”
and had originated at the Watermill
Theatre, Newbury in 1993. In
September 1999 it was given a twoweek
showcase at London’s Landor
Theatre with a cast of eleven headed by
Graham Hubbard (Ugly), Elizabeth Hill
(Ida) and Phillip Arran (Cat). The
showcase was directed by Deborah
Sathe, with choreography by Zoe
Simpson, and musical director Jon
Laird.
Jasper Britton
Photo by Catherine Ashmore