# Half a Sixpence (2016 musical)

Half a Sixpence (also Kipps - The New Half A Sixpence Musical) is a stage 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.

## 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 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 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).

## Production history
### Chichester and West End production (2016-17)

The musical premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre 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 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.

## Characters and cast

| Character | Chichester | West End |
| 2016 ||
| Arthur Kipps | Charlie Stemp | Charlie Stemp |
| Chitterlow | Ian Bartholomew | Ian Bartholomew |
| Ann Pornick | Devon-Elise Johnson | Devon-Elise Johnson |
| Helen Walsingham | Emma Williams | Emma Williams |
| Mrs Walsingham | Vivien Parry | Vivien Parry |
| Lady Punnet | Jane How | Jane How |
| James Walsingham / Photographer | Gerard Carey | Gerard Carey |
| Swing | David Birch | David Birch |
| Mrs Bindo-Bott | Kimberly Blake | Kimberly Blake |
| Uncle Bert | James Paterson | David Burrows |
| Head Waiter / Assistant Dance Captain | Nick Butcher | Nick Butcher |
| Shalford / Foster | Jon Conroy | Jon Conroy |
| Mrs Wace / Dance Captain | Jaye Julliet Elster | Jaye Julliet Elster |
| Mr Wace | Tim Hodges | Tim Hodges |
| Sid Pornick | Alex Hope | Alex Hope |
| Flo | Bethany Huckle | Bethany Huckle |
| Swing | Samantha Hull | Samantha Hull |
| Mary | Rebecca Jayne Davies | Rebecca Jayne Davies |
| Miss Ross | Jenifer Louise Jones | Jenifer Louise Jones |
| Hayes | Matthew Dale | Matthew Dale |
| Policeman | Philip Marriott | Philip Marriott |
| Carshot / Maxwell | Harry Morrison | Harry Morrison |
| Buggins | Sam O' Rourke | Sam O' Rourke |
| Pierce | Callum Train | Callum Train |
| Mildred | Lauren Varnham | Lauren Varnham |
| Aunt Susan / Lady Dacre | Annie Wensak | Annie Wensak |

## Musical numbers
### 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.

## Home media

A filmed recording of the 2016 West End production was broadcast on Sky Arts on Wednesday 29 December 2021 under the title of Kipps (the musical's new licensing name).

## Licensing

The musical is licensed through Music Theatre International Europe to professional and amateur productions under the title Kipps - The New Half a Sixpence Musical.

## Awards and nominations
### London Production

| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2017 | BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Best Revival of a Musical | Nominated |
| 2017 | BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards | Best Actor in a New Production of a Musical | Charlie Stemp | Nominated |
| 2017 | BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards | Best Actress in a New Production of a Musical | Devon Elise-Johnson | Nominated |
| 2017 | BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a New Production of a Musical | Emma Williams | Won |
| 2017 | BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards | Best New Regional Production | Best New Regional Production | Won |
| 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 Supporting Actor in a Musical | Ian Bartholomew | Nominated |
| 2017 | Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Musical | Emma Williams | Nominated |