Past Productions -
Half a Sixpence
Music &
Lyrics - David Heneker
Book -
Beverley Cross based upon the novel Kipps by H.G.Wells
David Heneker,
commissioned to write a musical for the former Rock star
Tommy Steele, provided the 1960’s stage with one of the most
successful shows of the decade.
Two songs in
particular became standards for Steele, the exchange of the
lovers token, "Half a Sixpence" and the wedding day photo,
"Flash, Bang Wallop!"
The Hitchin
Thespians recreated this merry, lively show in Autumn 2001
(October 8-13) at the Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage.
SYNOPSIS
The story is
based upon the H.G.Wells novel, Kipps. Half a Sixpence, is
set at the turn of the last century and centres on the
cockney character Arthur Kipps.
Arthur is an
orphan who becomes a draper’s apprentice in Folkstone. When
he inherits a fortune, Arthur finds it brings him all sorts
of problems: he trips over his own ambitions and is dogged
with hangers-on.
He becomes
engaged to the snobbish socialite Helen Walsingham, then
breaks off the engagement to marry Ann Pornick, a working
class girl whom he had loved all along.
He loses his
money to Helen’s brother in a hapless business deal and ends
up contentedly as the owner of a bookshop.
MUSICAL
NUMBERS
Overture; All
in the cause of economy; Half a sixpence; Money to burn; The
oak and the ash; She’s too far above me; I’m not talking to
you; If the rain’s got to fall; The old military canal; The
one that’s run away; Long ago; Flash, Bang,Wallop!; I know
what I am; I’ll build a palace; I only want a little house;
Finale.
Half a
sixpence was written for Tommy Steele who starred as Arthur
Kipps, appearing in both London and New York runs and also
in the film version of the musical in 1967.
LONDON RUN
21 March 1963
at the Cambridge Theatre. 677 performances.
Producer:
Harold Fielding
Musical
Director: Kenneth Alwyn
Cast included:
Anna Barry, John Bull, Colin Farrell, James Grout, Jessica
James, Cheryl Kennedy, Tommy Steele, Anthony Valentine,
Marti Webb
BROADWAY RUN
April 25 1965
at the Broadhurst Theatre. 512 performances.
Producers:
Harold Fielding in association with Allen-Hodgdon and
Stevens Productions
Director: Gene
Saks
Choreographer:
Onna White
Cast included:
Tommy Steele (Arthur Kipps), Polly James (Ann Pornick),
Carrie Nye (Helen Walsingham), Ann Shoemaker (Mrs Walsingham),
John Cleese (Young Walshingham - Helen’s brother), Will
Mackenzie (Sid Pornick) , Grover Dale (Pearce), James Grout
(Chitterlow).
Changes to the
score from the London version included some rousing dance
numbers from Onna White, notably the banjo-plucking "Money
to Burn". Tommy Steele mastered the art of dance in the
run-up to the Broadway opening. During the run, he was
succeeded by Tony Tanner, Joel Grey and Dick Kalman.
FILM VERSION
Producer:
Charles H. Schneer, George Sidney
Director:
George Sidney
Writer:
Beverley Cross (based on the novel Kipps by H.G. Wells),
Choreography: Gillian Lynne
Cast included:
| Tommy
Steele |
(Arthur Kipps) |
| Julia
Foster |
(Ann) |
|
Penelope Horner |
(Helen Walsingham)
|
| Cyril
Ritchard |
(Harry Chitterlow) |
| Grover
Dale |
(Pearce) |
| Elaine
Taylor |
(Kate)
|
| Julia
Sutton |
(Flo) |
| Sheila
Falconer |
(Victoria) |
| Leslie
Meadows |
(Buggins) |
|
Christopher Sandford |
(Sid) |
| Pamela
Brown |
(Mrs. Walsingham) |
| James
Villiers |
(Hubert Walsingham) |
| Gerald
Campion |
(Fat Boy) |
|
Jeffrey Chandler |
(Young Kipps) |
| Barry
Sinclair |
(Woodrow) |
| Hilton
Edwards |
(Shalford) |
| Jean
Anderson |
(Lady Botting) |
| Allan
Cuthbertson |
(Wilkins) |
| Aleta
Morrison |
(Laura) |
|
Deborah Permenter |
(Young Ann) |
Production Photographs - Click for larger Photos
|
