London Musicals 2000-2004.pub - overthefootlights.co.uk

2000ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVERLondon run: Bridewell, January 10 th – February 12 thMusic: Burton LaneBook & Lyrics: Alan Jay LernerDirector: Carol MetcalfeChoreographer: Lisa KentMusical Director: James Dodgson1Photo by Sheila BurnettCast: Harry Burton (Dr Mark Bruckner), Jenna Russell (Daisy/Melinda),Julian Duncan, Rachel Mulcahy, Jennifer Lee Jellicorse, Maurice Clarke,Rosemary Williams, Martin Johnston, Charles Baker.Songs: Hurry It’s Lovely Up Here, On a Clear Day, On the SS BernardCohn, She Wasn’t You, What Did I Have that I Don’t Have?, Wait TillWe’re Sixty-Five, Come Back to MeStory: This is the story of a kooky Brooklyn girl,Daisy Gamble, who can predict the future andwho exhibits signs of extra-sensory-perceptionJenna Russell & Harry Burton(Apparently, Alan Jay Lerner was personallyvery interested in this subject.) In order to quitsmoking she visits Dr Mark Bruckner, and under hypnosis, reveals that in a formerlife she was a spunky heiress named Melinda Wells in 18 th Century London. Daisyfalls in love with Mark, but Mark falls in love with the long-dead Melinda, causingproblems for Daisy, who finds she is loved when in a trance, but scorned when wideawake.Notes: Premiered in New York in 1965, this ran for just 280 performances withBarbara Harris and John Cullum (replacing Louis Jordan who was dropped after theBoston tryout.) It was filmed in 1970 with Barbra Streisand and Yves Montand. Thiswas its British premiere, and received very mixed notices.FOSSE, The MusicalLondon run: Prince of Wales, February 8 th (383 performances)Music: VariousConceived by Richard Maltby Jr, Chet Walker & Ann ReinkingDirector: Richard Maltby Jr & Ann ReinkingChoreographer: Bob Fosse recreated by Chet Walker & Ann ReinkingMusical Director: Fraser SkeochCast: Nicola Hughes, Daniel Crossley, Simon Archer, Darren Gibson, JacquiJameson, Jill-Louise Hydes, Jacqui BoatswainSongs: Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries,Bye Bye Blackbird, Big Spender, Hoorayfor Hollywood, I Wanna Be a Dancin’Man, I Love a Piano, Steam Heat, Cool Hand Luke, Mein Herr,Razzle-Dazzle, Mr BojanglesStory: This was a compilation of dances created by Bob Fossefrom his days as a nightclub performer through to his finalproduction “Big Deal”. Six of the 27 numbers were repeated fromthe 1978 production “Dancin’”. There was no narration, and thedances were not presented chronologically, but all centred aroundthe Fosse hallmarks: snapping fingers, bent knees and elbows,turned out legs, gloves and hats.Notes: The 1999 New York production ran for 1,093performances. The London run was eleven months, closing onJanuary 6 th 2001 – 383 performances

2000CHILDREN OF EDEN (1 st Revival)London run: Landor, February 10 th – March 4thMusic & Lyrics: Stephen SchwartzBook: John CairdDirector: Sue ColgraveMusical Director: Adeen Ashton2Cast: Stuart Liddle (God), Ian Brandon (Adam),Melitsa Nicola (Eve), Nikki Tate (Snake),Stephen Lloyd-Morgan (Cain), David O’Dell (Noah),Matt Dineen (Japheth), Leigh-Ann Stone (Mama Noah)Nine years earlier this show had flopped in the West End,with one critic wise-cracking “Excuse me, where’s thenearest Exodus?”. This fringe revival did not fare any better, being described as a strange, rather dull musical,and the remark “like any good musical, this one needs a good book rather than simply plundering the GoodBook itself.”Notes: Original London Production: Prince Edward, January 1991SWEENEY TODD (One night special)London run: Royal Festival Hall, Sunday 13th FebruaryMusic & Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim; Book: Hugh WheelerDirector: Paul Kerryson; Musical Director: Julian KellyThis was a special 20th Anniversary concert performance inaid of Crusaid—with a very special cast:Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd), Judy Kaye (Mrs Lovett),Davis Gaines (Anthony Hope), Mark Roper (Judge Turpin),Annalene Beechey (Johanna), Michael Cantwell (Tobias),Pia Douwes (Beggar Woman), Neil Jenkins (Beadle),John Owen Jones (Pirelli)POISONLondon run: Tricycle, February 21 st – April 1 stMusic & Lyrics: David Kramer & Taliep PetersenBook adaptation: Jenny McLeodDirector: David KramerChoreographer: Mykal RandMusical Director: Taliep PetersenCast: Mykal Rand (Michael), Shelley Williams (Nita),Koffi Missah (Lyric), Guy Burgess (Poison),Claudia Cadette (Pamela), Nigel Clauzel (Lucky),Horace Oliver (Shaggy)Songs: Friday Night, Just Say NoStory: Michael is a drugs baron and his girlfriend Nita an aspiring singer. Nita’s songs are written by thetalented Lyric, a crack-addict. The drug dealer, Poison, falls foul of Michael and gets his fingers lopped off as awarning. In revenge he sows seeds of doubt in Michael’s mind, suggesting Nita and Lyric are having an affair,even though Lyric is in a steady relationship with Pamela, Nita’s friend and an anti-drugs campaigner. Amisplaced red scarf is all it takes to turn the whole thing into a tragedy.Notes: By the same team that wrote “Kat & The Kings”, this was originally an anti-drugs South Africanmusical set in Cape Town and based on Shakespeare’s “Othello”. For the London production the setting waschanged to Harlesden in North London. In spite of some praise for the songs (23 of them!) the general criticaladvice to theatregoers was “Just say no”.

Photo by Ash Scott LockyerRebecca Lock & Robert IronsAFTER THE FAIRLondon run: King’s Head, March 28 th – April 9 thMusic: Matthew WardLyrics: Stephen ColeDirector: Raymond White2000Cast: Rebecca Lock (Anna), Robert Irons (Charles),Nicola Dewdney (Mrs Harnham), Terrence Hardiman (Mr Harnham)Songs: The World at my Window, Between the Lines, Your Words WereMusic, Just in Case, Summer Fancy, A Spot of Tea, Beloved, Men and WivesStory: The annual fair has come to Melchester and Mr and Mrs Harnham arehappy for their maid, Anna, to have the evening off and enjoy herself. At thefair Anna meets Charles, a dashing young London lawyer and falls in love. Hesends her a letter, and because she can neither read nor write, her mistressreplies for her. The Harnhams marriage is a loveless one, and the emotionsexpressed in “Anna’s” letters amaze Charles, who started off regarding thewhole affair as a passing fancy. The letter writers fall in love – on paper atleast – and then the maid finds she’s pregnant.Notes: Based on a Thomas Hardy story, this had already been turned into a play by Frank Harvey (and was a WestEnd hit with Deborah Kerr and Julia Foster in 1972 at the Lyric). This chamber musical version, written for fourcharacters and a quartet of musicians playing cello, woodwind and keyboards, was written by two Americans and hadoriginally premiered in Dallas. It was highly praised for its music, lyrics, wit and charm. (The story has virtually thesame plot as “Cyrano de Bergerac”, but Hardy’s story was written in 1891 – seven years before Rostand’s play. )3LAUTRECLondon run: Shaftesbury Theatre, April 6 th - (84 performances)Music & Lyrics: Charles AznavourEnglish lyrics: Dee ShipmanBook: Shaun McKennaDirector: Rob BettinsonChoreographer: Quinny SacksMusical Director: Stephen BrokkerCast: Sévan Stephan (Henri Toulouse-Lautrec), Hannah Waddingham (Suzanne Valadon),Jill Martin (Adele), Nigel Williams (Alphonse), Martin Fisher (Gabriel),Peter Gallagher (Aristide Bruant), Sadie Nine (La Goulue), David Langham,Alexander Delamere, Wendy LeeTaylor, Richard Gauntlett,Roz McCutcheon, Jon Emmanuel,Nic GreenshieldsSongs: The Honour of the Family, The Child inside the Man, Loveis a Pain, Me and You, The Can Can, Let Him Be Free Now, WhenYou Love Me, Waltz and Let’s DrinkStory: This is the life-story of the diminutive artist ToulouseLautrec, and skips through his endless battles with his in-bredaristocratic family, his possessive mother Adele, his troubledrelationship with prostitute-turned-artist’s-model, Suzanne Valdon,his inferiority complex, his addiction to Montmartre brothels andabsinthe, his incarceration in a lunatic asylum as a syphilitic wreck,and his ultimate death before the age of forty.Notes: Praised for its lavish scenery and costumes, the rest of theshow was heavily criticised with phrases like “a poorly structuredand under-written book”, “dreary music and trite lyrics”. It ran forjust ten weeks.Sevan Stephan as Toulouse Lautrec

THE VILLAINS’ OPERALondon run: Lyttleton Theatre, April 11 th – June 10 th (repertoire)Music: Stephen WarbeckBook & Lyrics: Nick DearAdapted from The Beggar’s Opera by John GayDirector: Tim SuppleChoreographer: Jane GibsonMusical Director: Neil McArthurCast: David Burt (Peachum), Alexander Hanson (Macheath),Madeleine Worrall (Polly), Elizabeth Renihan (Lucy),Oliver Cotton (Inspector Lockit), Beverley Klein (Mrs Peachum),Clive Rowe (Mr Big), Sally Ann Triplett (Anne)2000Story: Set in contemporary London, where Mr Peachum is a Woolwich magistrate, pub-owner and fence for abunch of small-time villains headed by Macheath (Mack the Gun). Macheath has secretly married Peachum’sdaughter, Polly, and at the same time impregnated Lucy, daughter of Police Inspector Lockitt. Macheath, aiminghigh, uses a garden fork to puncture both the ego and person of the drugs- and crime- baron, Mr Big – but ends upbetrayed and on his way to the scaffold.Notes: Clearly yet another “update” on “The Beggar’s Opera” this one fell flat on its face. With expensive andlavish scenery, a 30-strong company , a ten-piece band, and a composer who had just won an Oscar for his score of“Shakespeare in Love” it should have worked – but it didn’t. It was generally regarded as inferior to the original andto the Brecht/Weill “Threepenny Opera”, and for most critics it was “brash, crude and ultimately offensive”, and“doesn’t possess a single redeeming quality”.4THE KING AND I (6 thRevival)London run: London Palladium, May 3 rd – (691 performances)Music: Richard RodgersLyrics & Book: Oscar Hammerstein IIDirector: Christopher RenshawChoreographer: Jerome RobbinsMusical Director: John Owen EdwardsProducers: David Ian, QDOS, etc.Cast: Elaine Paige (Anna), Jason Scott Lee (King), Taewon Yi Kim (Lady Thiang),Aura Deva (Tuptim), Sean Ghazi (Lun Tha), Robin Kermode (Sir Edward), Richard Avery,Miguel Diaz, Ho YiThis production originated in Australia in 1995, then moved to Broadway with Donna Murphyand Lou Diamond Phillips and Taewon Yi Kim. After 780 performances in New York ittransferred to London, and opened “to the largest box office advance in theatrical hyperbole”.It was described as lavish and sumptuous, though the sheer weight of the spectacle, parades and displays tended toslow down the show, giving it a running timein excess of three hours. After 3 months JasonScott Lee left because of family problems andwas replaced by his understudy, PaulNagauchi. In April 2001 the principal roleswere taken by Josie Lawrence and Yeo. Theshow ran for a year and 8 months, finishing atthe beginning of January, 2002.Notes: See original London production,Drury Lane, June 19531st revival: Adelphi, October 19732nd revival: London Palladium, June 19793rd revival: Sadler’s Wells, Feb & June 19914th revival: Freemason’s Hall, May 19955th revival: BAC Main, December 1998Elaine Paige & Jason Scott LeePhoto by Michael Le Poer Trench

THE ULTIMATE MANLondon run: Bridewell, May 5 th – 27 thMusic: Alastair KingLyrics: Paul Gambaccini & Jane Edith WilsonBook: Jane Edith WilsonDirector-Choreographer: Paul TomkinsonMusical Director: Annemarie Lewis Thomas20005Cast: Michael Howe (Joe Barino), Nicola Blackman (Thrifty Bazaar), Craig Purnell (Ultimate Man),Lorraine Graham (Cathy Cookie), Howard Samuels (Rex Ringer), Maureen Taylor (Beth), Paul Bartlett,Patrick Clancy, Charlotte ThorntonSongs: Surround Yourself with My Love, So Good to be Bad, Halfway Round the MoonStory: Joe Barino is a cartoonist responsible for the action-hero, caped crusader Ultimate Man. His agent,Thrifty Bazaar, insists that the way to deal with falling sales of the comic is for Joe to kill off Ultimate Man’sfemale sidekick, Cathy Cookie. However, in a blurring of the real and the comic world, Ultimate Man comesto real life to plead for Cathy’s life. Sadly, by coming to the real world, he has lost all his super powers.However, the comic-book villain, Rex Ringer, also comes to the real world – and his evil powers are actuallyincreased. He plans to take over the entire real world as well as the comic world, and makes a start by aimingto steal Joe’s real-life girl-friend, Beth.Notes: With a score of pastiche 50s and 60s pop tunes, this was a camp homage to comic-book Americana.PAGEANTLondon run: King’s Head, May 15 th – July 9 (Eight weeks)Transferred to Vaudeville, August 1 st (71 performances)Music: Albert EvansBook & Lyrics: Bill Russell & Frank KellyConceived by: Robert LongbottomDirector: Bill RussellChoreographer: Warren CarlyleMusical Director: Elliot DavisCast: Lionel Blair (Frankie Cavalier), Graham MacDuff (Miss Texas),Dale Mercer (Miss Deep South), Michael Xavier (Miss Great Plains),Eaton James (Miss Bible Belt), Leon Maurice-Jones (Miss Industrial North East),Miles Western (Miss West Coast)Story: Frankie Cavalier is the MC at a beauty contest to find Miss Glamouresse of 2001. The girls parade inevening gowns and swimsuits, and then comes the devastating moment when they open their mouths to tell usof their ambitions and plans if they win. In between there arecommercial interludes sponsoring the Glamouresse range of beautyproducts: facial fillers for open pores, solar hair-rollers and strap-ondeodorants. Miss Texas does a tap-dance to gun shots; Miss DeepSouth sings Dixie songs with her ventriloquist dummies; Miss GreatPlains is “never so happy as when breeding live-stock”; Miss BibleBelt aims to “spread the Gospel through tele-marketing”; MissIndustrial North East is “studying hair styling by mail”; and MissWest Coast intends in the future to “live in the past”. Finally theaudience are asked to vote on the winner. (To add to the beauty, allthe girls are played by men en travestie – hairy chests and armpits ondisplay!)Notes: With perma-tanned Lionel Blair standing in at the lastmoment as the compère, this was a gloriously camp send-up of the“brain-dead bimbos who pout and wiggle their way through beautycontests”. It originated off-Broadway. Following some excellentnotices, the production transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre, whereit survived a further eight week run.Michael Xavier as Miss Great Plains

NOTRE DAME DE PARISLondon run: Dominion Theatre, May 23 rdMusic: Richard CoccianteBook & Lyrics: Luc PlamondonEnglish Lyrics: Will JenningsDirector: Gilles MaheuChoreographer: Martino MullerProducer: Michael White- (575 performances)20006Cast: Garou/Ian Pirie (Quasimodo), Tina Arena/Hazel Fernandes (Esmeralda),Steve Balsamo/Dean Collinson (Phoebus), Daniel Lavoie/Fred Johanson (Frollo),Luck Mervil/Carl Abraham Ellis (Clopin), Bruno Pelletier/Alexis James (Gringoire)Songs: Live for the One I Love, The Age of the Cathedrals, The Refugees. Belle,My Heart If You Will Swear, Torn Apart, The Bells, Your Love Will Kill Me, GodYou Made the World All Wrong, The Bird They Put in Cages, Dance MyEsmeraldaStory: Quasimodo loves Esmeralda, but she loves Captain Phoebus, alreadyengaged to Fleur de Lys but flattered by the gipsy girl’s attentions. Meantime thepriest, Frollo, harbours carnal desires for Esmeralda and, egged on by Gringoire,jealously tries to stab Phoebus to death. Esmeralda is accused of the attempted murder and imprisoned. Frollooffers to help her escape in return for sexual favours, but Quasimodo frees her and hides her in the belfry atNotre Dame Cathedral. The homeless refugee Clopin and his gang invade the cathedral to free Esmeralda, butthe invaders are attacked by Captain Phoebus and his regiment. Clopin is killed. Frollo betrays the hidingplace of Esmeralda and Phoebus is forced to arrest her and announce she will hang. Quasimodo throws Frollofrom the top of the belfry and rushes to save Esmeralda. He is too late. He retrieves her corpse and diesalongside her.Notes: This sung-through French-Canadian musical based on Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”had opened in Paris in 1998 to phenomenal success. It began life as a concept album and the production waseffectively a massive rock-concert, lavishly staged with acrobatics, gymnastics, trapeze-work, spectacularchoreography involving body-popping, abseiling and “political” updating with the chorus portrayed as asylumseekingrefugees. It was performed to pre-recorded music tracks (with a live string quintet playing extractsfrom the score in the circle bar during the interval to satisfy the outrage from the Musicians Union). In spite ofits massive success inParis and Quebec, it wasslaughtered by theLondon critics. The veryfew who managed toappreciate the music andadmire the effects agreedwith the many whoderided the lyrics, thescenery, costumes and thesheer overwhelmingvulgarity of the stagingand concept. In spite ofbad notices, it survived a16 month run, closing atthe start of October, 2001Garouas Quasimodo

HARD TIMESLondon run: Theatre Royal Haymarket, June 6 thMusic & Lyrics: Chris Tookey & Hugh ThomasDirector: Christopher TookeyChoreographer: Craig Revel HorwoodMusical Director: James Burton(95 performances)20007Cast: Brian Blessed (Dickens/Gradgrind), Roy Hudd (Samuel Sleary),Ann Emery (Mrs Sleary/Mrs Gradgrind), Helen Anker (Louisa),Malcolm Rennie (Bounderby), Peter Blake (Harthouse), Susan-Jane Tanner,Matt Rawle, Ray C. DavisSongs: The Greatest Show On Earth, One Of These Days, When I Was ABoy, Spring, Another Town Tomorrow , A Modern Marriage Pact , Haven’tWe Met?Story: Dickens’ hard-hitting novel about the brutal realities andmaterialistic spirit of Victorian industrial capitalism is presented in a stylisedpantomime, music-hall and circus format, with the circus performers acting act out the story of Hard Times.Charles Dickens himself is prevailed upon to play the role of the grim Thomas Gradgrind. The charactersinclude Mrs Gradgrind (who at one point jumps out of her coffin to join in a tap-dance); their daughter, Louisa,who is married off to Bounderby, the callous humbug; and the villainous rake, Harthouse, who preys on poorLouisa.Notes: The circus-format derived from the appearance in the novel of Samuel Sleary’s travelling circus, butthe whole jolly format came over as a send-up of the novel, rather than a musical. The musical style rangedfrom Gilbert & Sullivan to romantic ballads and vaudeville numbers and the show itself was amiable, silly andold fashioned. With Brian Blessed (“never knowingly underplayed”) and Roy Hudd in an extension of hisglorious music-hall acts, this was a curious mish-mash, and came off on August 26 th after just three months.SWEENEY TODD (4th Revival)London run: Bridewell, June 7 th – July 15thMusic & Lyrics: Stephen SondheimBook: Hugh WheelerDirector: Richard JamesMusical Director: Stuart PedlarCast: Michael McLean (Sweeney Todd), Jessica Martin (Mrs Lovett),Joshua Dallas (Anthony), Mark Inscoe (Judge Turpin), Sophie Millett (Joanna),Michael Kerry (Tobias), Ian Mowat (Pirelli), Dianne Pilkington (Beggar Woman)Marking the 20 th anniversary of the original London production, this was given a“promenade” type production inside the Bridewell Theatre.Notes: See Original London production:Drury Lane Theatre, July 19801st revival: Half Moon Theatre, May 19852nd revival: Cottesloe June 1993/Lyttleton Dec 19933rd revival: Holland Park, June 1996Jessica Martin &Michael McLeanPhoto by Eda Palian

Photo by John Haynes82000LA CAVALondon run: Victoria Palace, June 8 th(52 performances)Transfer: Piccadilly Theatre,August 21 st (192 performances)Music: Laurence O’Keefe &Stephen KeelingLyrics: John Claflin &Laurence O’KeefeAdditional lyrics: Shaun McKennaBook: Dana BroccoliDirector: Steven DexterChoreographer: Mitch SebastianMusical Director: Michael HaslamCast: Oliver Tobias (King Roderic),Julie-Alanah Brighten (Florinda),David Bardsley (General Espatorias),Daniel Redmond (Somal),Richard Woodford, David Bardsley & Patrick RomerPaul Keating (Agon),Patrick Romer (Archbishop),Joshua Bancel (Tariq), Richard Woodford (Marcus), Marilyn Cutts, Luke EvansSongs: A Place I am Proud to Call Mine, I Will Hold You, Little Girl, My Dream Came True, Within TheseWalls, Why Did I Kiss Her?, A Woman's Hands, Say Goodbye, What Would You Do for Your Child?Story: Roderic, the last Visigoth King of Spain, falls in love with Florinda, the daughter of General Espatorias.But the ambitious Florinda is secretly in love with young Somal, and when Somal is killed by Roderic , herrevenge includes falsely accusing the King of rape. Abetted by a scheming eunuch,Agon, and an evil Archbishop, she persuades her father to join with the Muslimleader, Tariq, and fight against King Roderic. Thus the Moorish conquest of Spainbegins. However, Florinda, too late, genuinely falls in love with King Roderic, andthe outcome can only be all-round tragedy.Notes: Dana Broccoli was the widow of the legendary producer of the James Bondfilms, and a successful novelist in her own right. This lavishly funded productionwas magnificently staged with spectacular battle-scenes. The notices were mixed,though generally they tipped towards the view that the audience would certainly getits money’s worth and lovers of great romantic, spectacular over-blown epics wouldhave a great night’s entertainment. After seven weeks at the Victoria Palace ittransferred to the Piccadilly Theatre and finally closed after a total run of eightmonths, closing February 3 rd , 2001PERSONALS (1 st revival)London run: Apollo Theatre, June 15 th (52 performances)Music: VariousBook & Lyrics: David Crane, Seth Friedman, Marta KaufmanDirector: Dion McHughChoreographer: Sam Spencer-LaneMusical Director: Matthew FreemanCast: Cameron Blakely (Louis), Martin Callaghan (Typesetter),Marcus Allen Cooper (Sam), Christina Fry (Louise), Carmen Cusack (Kim),Vicki Simon (Claire)With the same production team – but a few cast changes – this was a re-creationof the show that had been performed on the fringe in September 1998. It ran justover 6 weeks.Original London run: New End, September 1998Photo by Hugo Glendinning

PIRATES OF PENZANCE (2 nd Revival)London run: Open Air Theatre, July 28 th – September 5thMusic: Arthur SullivanLyrics: W.S.GilbertDirector: Ian TalbotChoreographer: Gillian GregoryMusical Director: Catherine Jayes20009Cast: Jimmy Johnston (Pirate King), Lucy Quick (Mabel), Paul Bradley (Major General),Mark Umbers (Frederic), Gay Soper (Ruth), John Owen-Jones, Sara Hillier, Joanne Redman, Fiona Dunn,Stephen MatthewsNotes: This was the secondtime the Joseph Pappadaptation had been staged inLondon. It had previouslybeen produced at Drury Laneand the London Palladium.Original London Productionof this version:Drury Lane, May 1982First revival:London Palladium,March 1990Paul Bradleyas the Major GeneralEATING RAOULLondon run: Bridewell, August 30 th – September 30 thMusic: Jed FeuerLyrics: Boyd GrahamBook: Paul BartelDirector: Rick JacobsChoreographer: Craig Revel HorwoodMusical Director: Nicholas O’NeillCast: Alison Jiear (Mary Bland), Michael Matus (Paul Bland), Eduardo Enrikez (Raoul), Richard Munday,Jenny-Ann Topham, Ian Waller, David Hall, Joanne Henry, Kate BurrellSongs: Meet the Blands, A Small Restaurant, Swing Swing Swing, A Thought Occurs, Victim Update,Sexperts, Empty Bed, Tool For You, Think About Tomorrow, Hot Monkey Love, One Last BopStory: Paul and Mary Bland, a sweet, sexually repressed couple, scrimp and save to open a small restaurant outin the country, far away from the pollution and violence of city life. But their savings are too small until bychance a couple of sexual swingers turn up at their apartment, providing Paul and Mary with an idea: they startluring their own kinky clientele, then bump them off with a well-aimed blow of the frying-pan, and steal theirmoney. But along comes Raoul, an extremely sexy Mexican maintenance man, who discovers their little gameand demands a cut of the spoils in return for helping them dispose of the bodies. But his demands become toogreedy. The solution? Give Raoul the old frying-pan treatment, and dispose of his remains by serving them upas spare ribs on the menu of the Bland’s lovely new restaurant.Notes: Based on Paul Bartel’s 1982 cult film, the musical version originally opened off-Broadway in 1992, andsubsequently received numerous regional and college productions. This was its British premiere.

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (2 nd Revival)London run: Olivier Theatre, June 22 nd – July 20 thRepeated: December 18 th – January 27 th 2001Music: Nacio Herb Brown & othersLyrics: Arthur Freed & othersBook: Betty Comden and Adolph GreenDirector: Jude KellyChoreographer: Stephen MearMusical Director: Mark W. DorrellProducer: West Yorkshire PlayhouseCast: Paul Robinson (Don Lockwood), Mark Channon (Cosmo Brown),Zoe Hart (Kathy Selden), Rebecca Thornhill (Lina Lamont),Tony Timberlake (Roscoe Dexter)2000Notes: This was a visiting production from the West Yorkshire Playhouse, notable for the use of three screensand computer graphics for some of the filmed sequences, for the well-handled “rain” sequence, but, above all,for the muchpr a i s e dchoreography byStephen Mear.The productionreturned to playthe Christmasseason at theOlivier with thesame principalcast.See OriginalLondon run:LondonPalladium,June 1983First revival:LondonPalladium,June 198910MOVING ONLondon run: Bridewell, July 25 th – August 19 thMusic & Lyrics: Stephen SondheimDevised by David Kernan & John KaneDirector: David KernanChoreographer: Warren CarlyleMusical Director: David LaugharneCast: Geoffrey Abbot, Linzi Hateley, Belinda Lang, Robert Meadmore,Angela RichardsNotes: This was a follow-up to “Side by Side by Sondheim”, with a similar format,though this time using filmed sequences and recordings featuring Sondheim himself inplace of the earlier narrator. It was staged to mark Sondheim’s 70 th birthday.

COMPANY (2 ndRevival)London run: Greenwich Playhouse, July 13 th – August 6 th200011Music & Lyrics: Stephen SondheimBook: George FurthDirector: Ruth CarneyChoreographer: Susan HannMusical Director: Will BarnettPhoto by Paul WelchCast: Stephen Guilfoyle (Robert),Julia Glass (Joanne), Jill Hunter (Kathy),Emma Field (Sarah), Kate Rawson (Amy),Jennifer Bryce (April), Orit Hadda (Jenny)Jonathan Clarkson (David),Matthew Hendrickson, Mark Hutchinson,Adam Lee, Louise Linehan,Michael Palmer, Catherine ReidNotes: This was staged to mark Sondheim’s 70 th birthday.Original London run: Her Majesty’s, January 1972; First Revival: Donmar, December, 1995THE WITCHES OF EASTWICKLondon run: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, July 18 th (255 performances)Transferred to Prince of Wales, March 23 rd 2001 (251 performances)Photo by London Evening StandardLucie Arnaz, Joanna Riding, Maris Friedman & Ian McShane

THE WITCHES OF EASTWICKLondon run: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, July 18 th (255 performances)Transferred to Prince of Wales, March 23 rd 2001 (251 performances)Music: Dana P. RoweBook & Lyrics: John DempseyDirector: Eric SchaefferChoreographer: Bob Avian & Stephen MearMusical Director: David WhiteProducer: Cameron Mackintosh200012Cast: Ian McShane (Darryl van Horne), Lucie Arnaz (Alexandra), Maria Friedman (Sukie),Joanna Riding (Jane), Rosemary Ashe (Felicia), Stephen Tate (Clyde), Caroline Sheen, Julia Sutton,Songs: Eastwick Knows, Make Him Mine, I Love a Little Town, Words Words Words, Dirty Laundry, Dance withthe Devil, Evil, Loose Ends, Who’s the ManStory: Three bored divorcées in Eastwick, USA find their sex lives revitalised when the devilish Darryl van Hornemoves into the local mansion. Alexandra, the sarcastic sculptress, Sukie, the screwball teacher and Jane, thebuttoned-up musician, are all three attractive women in the first flush of middle-age, all starved of male attention,and all believing they can find true bliss in shared sex sessions with the rich newcomer. The small-mindedtownsfolk are very much against their new resident, and are led by the dowdy battle-axe, Felicia, and her totallyhenpecked husband, Clyde, who is the editor of the local newspaper. Things get very out of hand when the threehousewives literally start flying around Darryl’s mansion. Then, tennis-balls, cherries and feathers start emergingfrom Felicia’s mouth, and the town’s church starts collapsing under the weight of Darryl’s witchcraft.Notes: Based on John Updike’s novel and the film version starring Jack Nicholson, the musical version initiallyearned mostly positive reviews, but failed to fill the vast Drury Lane auditorium. After seven months it was replacedwith a scaled-down version and moved to the more intimate Prince of Wales Theatre. A number of scenes were rewrittenand the song “Who's the Man?'” was replaced with a rousing gospel number, “The Glory of Me”. At thesame time Ian McShane left and was replaced by his understudy, Earl Carpenter. At the end of its first year ageneral cast change saw Clarke Peters take over as Darryl van Horne and Josefina Gabrielle and Rebecca Thornhillreplaced Lucie Arnaz and Maria Friedman. On Oct 27 th , 2001 the show closed after a 15 month run. There had beena disastrous drop in ticket sales, attributed to a downturn in tourism following the September 11 th Twin-Towersattack in New York.ASSASSINS (2 nd Revival)London run: Landor, September 7 th – October 14thMusic & Lyrics: Stephen SondheimBook: John WeidmanDirector: Nick BlighChoreographer: Darren RoystonMusical Director: Kate YoungCast: Paul Brereton (Leon Czolgosz),Craig Adams (John Hinckley),Nick Barnes(Charles Guiteau),Nick Stoter (Giuseppe Zangara),David Bradshawe (Samuel Byck),Lorraine Graham (Squeaky Fromme),Dian Perry (Sara Jane Moore),Cade Siemers (John Wilkes Booth),Samuel Board (Balladeer),Lara Hazell, Isaac DavisNick Barnes as Charles GuiteauOriginal London run: Donmar Warehouse, October 1992First revival: New End Theatre, July 1997

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCHLondon run: Playhouse, September 19 th (55 performances)Music & Lyrics: Stephen TraskBook: John Cameron MitchellDirector: Peter AskinChoreographer: Jerry MitchellCast: Michael Cerveris (Hedwig), Elizabeth Marsh (Yitzak)200013Songs: Tear me Down, The Origin of Love, Sugar Daddy,Wig in a Box, Wicked Little Town, Midnight RadioStory: Hedwig is a support act on the Tommy Gnosis glam-rock tour, and while waiting to go onstage she tellsher story. She used to be Hansel, living in Communist East Berlin, but underwent a sex-change operation andtook the name Hedwig so she could marry LutherRobinson, a US soldier and thus escape to the West.The operation was botched, and her surgicallyconstructed vagina closed, leaving Hansel – nowHedwig – with a dysfunctional one-inch mound offlesh between her legs. Abandoned by Luther on thesame day the Berlin wall falls, the cheated Hedwigforms a rock-band called the Angry Inch and makes astar of Tommy Gnosis, who steals her material andbreaks away to go solo. Hedwig and her loyal friend,the oafish roadie-turned-lover Yitzak, are forced tosupport themselves, playing cheap dates andsupporting bigger acts.Notes: This fringe rock-musical premiered off-Broadway in February 1998, where it ran for twoyears and won several awards. Despite its cultsuccess, the two-hander did not go down well withLondon critics or audiences and ran just seven weeks.Michael Coveney in the Daily Mail said “the wholetacky experience is like watching a bad DustySpringfield concert performed by Lily Savage with agood backing band.” A film version was made in2001 directed by John Cameron Mitchell who alsoplayed the role of Hedwig. The film version wonseveral awards and has become a cult classic.Elizabeth March & Michael Cerveris,Backstage at the PlayhouseFAME (3 rdRevival)London run: Victoria Palace, September 28 th - (794 performsnces)Music: Steve MargoshesLyrics: Jacques LevyBook: David de Silva & Jose FernandezDirector: Karen BruceChoreographer: Lars BethkeMusical Director: David BeerProducer: Adam Spiegel & Sir Stephen Waley-CohenCast: Mazz Murray (Mabel), Rebekah Gibbs (Carmen), Tee Jay, Robert Miller,Leigh Ann Regan, Golda Rosheubal, Becks Hanks, William Wolfe Hogan .This revival, which had been touring the UK, ran for almost two years, closing at the end of August, 2002.Original London Production: Cambridge Theatre , June 1995First revival: Victoria Palace, November 1997Second revival: Prince of Wales, October 1998

2000THE BEAUTIFUL GAMELondon run: Cambridge Theatre, September 26 th (391 performances)Music: Andrew Lloyd WebberLyrics: Ben EltonDirector: Robert CarsenChoreographer: Meryl TankardMusical Director: Kenny AitchisonProducer: Really Useful Theatre CoCast: Frank Grimes (Father O’Donnell), Ben Goddard (Del),Hannah Waddingham (Christine), Michael Shaeffer (Thomas),David Shannon (John), Josie Walker (Mary), Dale Meeks (Greg),Jamie Golding, Alex Sharpe, Diane Pilkington, Nic Greenshields,David LyonsSongs: Clean the Kit, God’s Own Country, Our Kind of Love, Let UsLove in Peace, All the Love I Have, Don’t Like You, The First Time,I’d Rather Die on my Feet Than Live on my Knees, If This is WhatWe’re Fighting For.Story: Set in 1969 Belfast, where Father O’Donnell runs a teenagefootball team. Del, the one Protestant boy in the team, is intimidated and expelled from the team by theCatholic boys, led by Thomas, clearly ideal future IRA material. The team’s dressing rooms are vandalised bybullying Protestant boys, and then the innocent, ginger-haired Greg, who has just had his first kiss, is torturedand murdered. Football-mad John loses his chance to move to the mainland and play for Everton when he isarrested, simply for helping his former team-mate, Thomas, on the run from the police. John’s politicallyconsciousgirl-friend, Mary, is another victim of the sectarian troubles. So, too, is Del who has married hisCatholic girl-friend, Christine, in spite of the abuse she receives from her friends. Together with their youngbaby they are forced to leave Ireland forAmerica. The bleak message of this Romeo& Juliet situation seemed to offer the choicebetween exile or death.14Notes: This show truly divided the critics.Some claimed it was a powerful, dark,intelligent musical, containing some ofLloyd Webber’s most sophisticated anddeeply-felt music; others claimed it was aone-sided, patronising Romeo and Julietrip-off, mis-matching over-romanticisedmusic with an over-done tale of murder,knee-capping and internment camps. Theshow ran for just under a year, closing onSeptember 1 st , 2001. A re-written versionwas performed in Canada in 2009 with anew title “The Boys in the Photograph” anda happier ending. The song "Our Kind ofLove" was replaced with a new song "TheBoys in the Photograph" and several othersongs were cut. (However, “Our Kind ofLove” would be re-worked and appear inAndrew Lloyd Webber’s later musical“Love Never Dies”.)Michael Shaeffer &David ShannonPhoto by Ivan Kyncl

NAPOLEONLondon run: Shaftesbury Theatre, October 17 th (127 performances)Music: Timothy WilliamsLyrics: Andrew SabistonBook: Timothy Williams & Andrew SabistonDirector: Francesco ZambelloChoreographer: Denni SayersMusical Director: David Charles AbellCast: Paul Baker/Uwe Kröger (Napoleon),Anastasia Barzee (Josephine), David Burt (Talleyrand),David Arneil (Fouché), Teddy Kempner (Garreau), Nigel Richards,Sarah Ingram, Jody Crosier, Nicholas Pound, Lynsey Britton,Tom Sellwood, Andy Mace, Kristin HellbergSongs: The Friend You Were to Me, Only in Fantasy, On That FirstNightStory: The plot centres on two aspects of Napoleon’s life : his risefrom a common man to the leading war general and Emperor ofFrance, illustrated with battle-scenes, the disastrous attack and retreat Uwe Kröger as Napoleonfrom Russia, the lavish coronation in Notre Dame and, of course,Waterloo; and alongside these epic events, his romantic relationship with his first wife, Josephine de Beauharnais.After a passionate start and a few hitches when Josephine is caught being unfaithful, hisscheming minister Talleyrand, and his two sidekicks, Garreau and Fouché, forceNapoleon to divorce Josephine because she has failed to produce an heir.Notes: This Canadian musical opened in Toronto in March 1994 to great success. TheLondon production had Olivier Award winner Francesco Zambello from the operaworld as director, Jonathan Tunick’s orchestrations and both Paul Baker and UweKröger alternating as Napoleon. (Uwe Kröger performed three shows a week, PaulBaker doing the other five.) However, it ran just under 4 months. It was one of theearly pioneers of Sunday performances and although weekends were sold out, the restof the week was thin. With 32 in the cast and an orchestra of 28, producers cited thehigh running costs as the main reason for closure which came on February 3 rd .Generally the original notices had been hostile, and, of course, most could not resistusing the phrase “Not tonight, Josephine” as advice to the readers.WILD WILD WOMEN (1 st Revival)London run: Orange Tree, Richmond, December 1 st – January 27 th 2001Music: Nola YorkBook & Lyrics: Michael RichmondDirector: Timothy SheaderChoreographer: Bill DeamerMusical Director: Philip BatemanCast: Stuart Nurse (Clanton),Michael Cotton (McLaird),Abi Roberts (Sister Priscilla),Sue Kelvin (Madame Lola),Bill Champion (Bill Tibbs),Anna-Jane Casey (Alice Tibbs),Sévan Stephan (Judge West),200015Notes: This production saw the show returning to itsoriginal home, where it had been premiered almosttwenty years earlier. It proved to be a highly popularChristmas attraction for the Richmond fringe theatre.Original London run:Astoria, June 1982 (Transfer from Orange Tree)Sévan Stephan & Stuart Nurse

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG(1 st Revival)London run: Donmar Warehouse. December 11 th – March 3 rd 2001Music & Lyrics: Stephen SondheimBook: George FurthDirector: Michael GrandageChoreographer: Peter DarlingMusical Director: Gareth ValentineCast: Grant Russell (Franklin Shepard),Julian Ovenden (Young Franklin Shepard),Daniel Evans (Charles Kringas),Samantha Spiro (Mary Flynn),Emma Jay Thomas,Anna Francolini, Shona White,David Lucas, Neil Gordon-Taylor,Dean Hussain, Matt Blair,James Millard, Mary Stockley,Zehra Naqvi, Lucy Bradshaw.2000Grant Russell, Samantha Spiro & Daniel Evans16Photo by London Evening StandardNotes: This was the first full-scale production of the work in London and was greatlypraised, receiving almost unanimous praise from the critics.Original London production: The Prince, SE 10, May 1998YOU’RE GONNA LOVE TOMORROWLondon run: Greenwich Playhouse, December 12 th – January 14 thMusic & Lyrics: Stephen SondheimDirector: Simon BellChoreographer: Elizabeth MarchCast: Alan Atkins, Kirstie Austin, Gareth Davies, Maxine Gregory.Notes: A retrospective of some 22 well-known and not-so-well-known songs by Stephen Sondheim, firststaged in New York in 1983ALL CLONED UPLondon run: Grace Theatre (Latchmere), December 12th - January 14th, 2001Transfer:King’s Head, January 16 th – February 4thMusic & Lyrics: Mike BennettAdditional music: Simon Gulifoyle & TacyeDirector: Alkis KritikosChoreographer: Zoe-Anne PhillipsMusical Director: Paul MoranCast: Don Paterson (Professor Graham), Jenny Walters (Fiona Graham), Andy Creswell (Philip), Ben Graves(Stuart), Tacye (Gemma)Songs: Stitched Up like a Kipper,Story: Professor Eugene Graham wants to get rid of his beautiful but nagging wife, Fiona. He enlists the helpof his narcissistic assistant, Philip – without realising that Philip and Fiona are already having an affair. Theequally evil plans of Philip and Fiona are discovered by a visiting journalist, Gemma, and by the gawky labassistant, Stuart. Professor Graham is the world expert on cloning – so the way to solve is his problems is toclone everybody,Notes: This small-scale musical is a kind of “Rocky Horror” follow-on, with lab-coated technicians turned intogenetically programmed zombies while a trio of cloned sheep- the Dolly Clonettes- doo-wop in thebackground.