# Half a Sixpence

Half a Sixpence is a 1963 musical comedy based on the 1905 novel Kipps by H. G. Wells, with music and lyrics by David Heneker and a book by Beverley Cross. It was written as a vehicle for British pop star Tommy Steele.

## Background

The show is based on H. G. Wells's 1905 novel Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul. Steele played Arthur Kipps, an orphan who unexpectedly inherits a fortune, and climbs the social ladder before losing everything and realising that you just can't buy happiness.
David Heneker (who had also worked on Irma La Douce and Charlie Girl) wrote both music and lyrics. Steele's importance to the show was made evident by his appearance in twelve of the musical's fifteen songs. Much of this musical was tailored as a star vehicle for Steele's particular talents. This was especially evident in the musical number "Money to Burn": when Arthur Kipps realises that he is about to become wealthy, he decides that the first thing he will buy is a banjo. This is the cue for someone to hand Tommy Steele a banjo so that he can demonstrate his skill on the instrument. In the source material – Wells's novel – one of the first things that Arthur Kipps purchases with his newfound wealth is a banjo.
John Cleese of Monty Python fame had a small role in the initial cast as James Walshingham.

## Productions
### London

Half a Sixpence was first produced in London's West End at the Cambridge Theatre on 21 March 1963, with Marti Webb, in her first leading role, playing Ann. Anna Barry also appeared as Helen. The production was directed by John Dexter, with choreography by Edmund Balin, and the set was designed by Loudon Sainthill. It ran for 677 performances.

### Film version

A 1967 film adaptation starring Steele, along with Julia Foster and Cyril Ritchard, was directed by George Sidney and choreographed by Gillian Lynne. Lesley Judd, a future presenter of the BBC children's TV series Blue Peter, was one of the dancing chorus. Foster's singing voice was dubbed by Marti Webb.

### 2016 revised version

A revised version of the show opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre to rave reviews and standing ovations in July 2016, co-produced by Cameron Mackintosh. Reuniting Mackintosh's Mary Poppins collaborators, the show features a new book by Julian Fellowes and new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe alongside revisions of Heneker's originals.
Following the success in Chichester, the production transferred to the Noël Coward Theatre in London's West End on 17 November 2016 with previews from 29 October 2016. It initially booked until 11 February 2017. Due to five-star reviews and audience acclaim, the show was extended until 22 April 2017. It was extended, once again, until 6 May 2017. It extended again until 2 September 2017, when it closed.

## Synopsis

The musical tells the tale of the changing fortunes of Arthur Kipps, an orphan and draper's assistant at Shalford's Bazaar in Folkestone, Kent at the turn of the twentieth century. Kipps is an easy-going working class lad, who is happiest with his banjo. He falls in love with Ann Pornick, who gives him the titular gift of half a sixpence as a token of their love. However, when he unexpectedly inherits a fortune from an estranged grandfather, he is suddenly propelled into high society. He catches the eye of Helen Walsingham and her money-grabbing family, who are desperate to restore their family fortune. When he loses his money (thanks to the fraudulent behavior of Helen's brother, James), Kipps is reminded of his roots and returns to marry Ann.

## Awards and nominations
### Broadway production

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 1965 | Tony Award | Best Musical | Best Musical | Nominated |
| 1965 | Tony Award | Best Producer | Allen-Hodgdon, Stevens Productions Inc. and Harold Fielding | Nominated |
| 1965 | Tony Award | Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical | Tommy Steele | Nominated |
| 1965 | Tony Award | Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical | James Grout | Nominated |
| 1965 | Tony Award | Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical | Carrie Nye | Nominated |
| 1965 | Tony Award | Best Author | Beverley Cross | Nominated |
| 1965 | Tony Award | Best Original Score | David Heneker | Nominated |
| 1965 | Tony Award | Best Direction of a Musical | Gene Saks | Nominated |
| 1965 | Tony Award | Best Choreography | Onna White | Nominated |

### 2016 West End revival

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2017 | Whatsonstage.com Awards | Best New Musical | Best New Musical | Nominated |
| 2017 | Whatsonstage.com Awards | Best Actor in a Musical | Charlie Stemp | Won |
| 2017 | Whatsonstage.com Awards | Best Actress in a Musical | Devon-Elise Johnson | Nominated |
| 2017 | Whatsonstage.com Awards | Best Supporting Actor in a Musical | Ian Bartholomew | Nominated |
| 2017 | Whatsonstage.com Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Musical | Emma Williams | Won |
| 2017 | Whatsonstage.com Awards | Best Direction | Rachel Kavanaugh | Nominated |
| 2017 | Whatsonstage.com Awards | Best Choreography | Andrew Wright | Won |
| 2017 | Whatsonstage.com Awards | Best Costume Design | Paul Brown | Nominated |
| 2017 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Actor in a Musical | Charlie Stemp | Nominated |
| 2017 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Actor in Supporting Role in a Musical | Ian Bartholomew | Nominated |
| 2017 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Actress in Supporting Role in a Musical | Emma Williams | Nominated |

## Recordings

* Half a Sixpence: An Original Cast Recording – Decca SLK4521 (1963)
* Half a Sixpence: The Original Broadway Cast Recording – RCA Victor LOC1110 (1965)
* Half a Sixpence: The Original 1962 Demo Recordings – Stage Door STAGE9052 (2017)