Half a Sixpence (2016 musical)

Half a Sixpence is a 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.

This production was produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Chichester Festival Theatre where it premiered in July 2016 before transferring into the West End in London at the Noël Coward Theatre in October 2016.

The show closed on 2 September 2017 after three extensions to its limited run.

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 originally 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 re-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 at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 2007).

Productions

Chichester and West End production 
The musical premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre (as part of the final season of Jonathan Church as artistic director and Alan Finch as executive producer) 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. 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. 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 rave reviews in 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. Combined with the Chichester run, the production played around 400 performances.

Yorkshire Amateur Premiere 
The Yorkshire amateur premiere production of 'Kipps: The New Half a Sixpence Musical' was staged at St George's Hall, Bradford by Buttershaw St Pauls AODS January 22nd - 25th 2020.

The production starred Nathan Hall as Arthur Kipps, Sophie Holdsworth as Helen, Katie Mae Ramsey as Ann and Phil Jowett as Chitterlow.

Following rave reviews, an hour version of the show will be staged at the 2020 NODA Gala Weekend at the start of April at the Bridlington Spa Theatre.

Irish Amateur Premiere
The Irish Amateur Premiere of Half a Sixpence (licensed as Kipps - The New Half A Sixpence Musical), was produced by Galway University Musical Society (GUMS) and ran from the 4th-8th of February 2020 in the Black Box Theatre Galway.

Characters and cast

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

Cast Recording 
On Friday 18 November 2016, the 2016 London Cast Recording was released by First Night Records on CD and iTunes digital download. It features 23 tracks and was recorded live during the final three performances in the Chichester run.

Awards and nominations

London Production

References

External links 

Category:Musicals based on novels
Category:2016 musicals
Category:West End musicals
Category:British musicals
Category:Adaptations of works by H. G. Wells