HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PROGRAMME
Half A Sixpence: February 9th to 14th
1998
Message From The Chairman
| Welcome to the Beck Theatre in this its
21st Birthday year! Our society has supported this theatre from the very beginning, and in
fact we were the first local society to perform within these walls. Despite escalating
costs, we are trying very hard to stay performing here. Your support is therefore very
valuable to us. To launch this 21st birthday year, we are performing "Half a Sixpence". We have never presented this show before; and what a show it is; chock full of musical numbers to you dancing, bouncing, and rocking in your seats from beginning to end. We are led magnificently by our two youthful leads, Chris and Louise, both only sixteen, and of course by Jeremy, our director / choreographer, who has sent the wind of change coursing through our shows, (as those of you who saw our production of Chicago will have seen). We are dedicating this show to a much beloved member, Marjorie Hollis, who passed away in November. Her contribution to this society over the many years was beyond price, and she will be sorely missed. We hope to make her proud of us with this performance. It just remains for me to say "enjoy the show", and hope to see you in September1998 at The Compass Theatre, Ickenham. for "Cabaret", our next production. Tracey Callow |
| Production History The H.G.Wells novel "Kipps" was first filmed in the 1940's as a non musical starring John Mills. In the 1960's Beverly Cross and David Heneker collaborated in producing the musical version, "Half a Sixpence" as a starring vehicle for Tommy Steele. The Part of Kipps took Tommy Steele from being a successful rock and roll singer to an equally successful musical comedy star. The show opened at London's Cambridge Theatre on 21st March1963, with Marti webb playing Ann and Anna Barry in the role of Helen. The production ran for 679 performances before transferring, in 1965, to Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre, where it ran for over a year. In 1967 a film version of the musical was released with Tommy Steele supported by Julia Foster and Cyril Ritchard. Julia Foster was dubbed by Marti Webb in the Musical numbers. |
| The Cast in order of apperance | |
| Character | Performer |
| Arther Kipps | Chris Dyer |
| Sid Pornick | Jack Adams |
| Buggins | Malcolm Harris |
| Pearce | Alex Smith |
| Carshot | George Rye |
| Flo Bates | Michelle Hanington |
| Kate | Barbara Gilbody |
| Victoria | Debbie Carr |
| Emma | Michelle Howting |
| Mr. Edwin Shalford | Tom Ellison |
| Mrs Walsingham | Jean Fowler |
| Mrs Botting | Eleanor Thornett |
| Ann Pornick | Louise Franck |
| Young William Walsingham | Simon Trick |
| Helen Walsingham | Sue Tregoning |
| Harry Chitterlow | Julian Mortimer |
| Laura | Clare Buckett |
All other characters played by members of the society |
|
Musical Numbers Act 1 |
|
Prodution Team |
|
| Director & Choreographer | Jeremy Tustin |
| Musical Director | Colin Neville |
| Dance Captain | Sarah Lawrence |