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 realizing 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. While performing in the musical, Cleese met future Python Terry Gilliam as well as American actress Connie Booth, whom he married on 20 February 1968. 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.