Mrs Henderson Presents (musical)

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Mrs Henderson Presents
Mrs Henderson Presents musical.jpg
Theatre Royal, Bath promotional artwork
Music George Fenton
Simon Chamberlain
Lyrics Don Black
Book Terry Johnson
Setting1937 to 1940 London
Basis Mrs Henderson Presents
by Martin Sherman
Premiere26 August 2015 (2015-08-26): Theatre Royal, Bath
Productions2015 Bath
2016 West End
2017 Toronto

Mrs Henderson Presents is a musical comedy with music by George Fenton and Simon Chamberlain, with lyrics by Don Black and a book by Terry Johnson. Based on the 2005 film Mrs Henderson Presents , the musical received its world premiere at the Theatre Royal, Bath in 2015 and transferred to the West End's Noël Coward Theatre in February 2016. The film was based on the true story of Laura Henderson and London's Windmill Theatre.

Contents

Background

The musical is based on the 2005 film Mrs Henderson Presents . [1] The film was based on the true story of London's Windmill Theatre [2] and its owner Laura Henderson, who transformed the theatre and produced Revudeville shows featuring static naked tableaux girls, exploiting a loophole in the Lord Chamberlain's Lord Cromer censorship laws. [3] [4]

In June 2014, it was first revealed by producer John Reid that an adaption was in the works, [5] with a workshop taking place the same year. [6] On 16 October 2014, the musical was officially confirmed and it was announced that the show would receive its world premiere in summer 2015, with a view to a West End transfer. [7] The musical is directed by and has a book by Terry Johnson, [8] based on an original screenplay by Martin Sherman, [9] with choreography by Andrew Wright, [10] set design by Tim Shortall, [10] costume design by Paul Wills, [10] lighting by Ben Ormerod [10] and magic consultancy by Scott Penrose. [11]

Production history

The show's premiere production began previews at the Theatre Royal in Bath, on 15 August 2015, with its official opening night coming on 26 August, for a limited run until 25 September 2015. [12] Rehearsals began on 7 July 2015. [13] On 6 March 2015, initial casting was announced with the news that Janie Dee would play the role of Laura Henderson with Emma Williams playing Maureen. [14] Further notable casting included Ian Bartholomew as Vivian Van Damm and Mark Hadfield as Arthur. [15] On 7 July 2015, it was revealed that Janie Dee had withdrawn from the production prior to rehearsals due to personal reasons and that Tracie Bennett would replace her in the role of Laura Henderson. [16]

Following completion of the musicals tryout in Bath, it was announced that the show would transfer to the Noël Coward Theatre in London's West End, [17] with an official opening night of 16 February 2016, following previews from 9 February. [18] The majority of the cast reprised their roles with the exceptions of Mark Hadfield, who was replaced in the role of Arthur by former EastEnders actor Jamie Foreman, [19] Graham Hoadly who (owing to a prior contractual commitment) was replaced in the role of Lord Cromer by Robert Hands and Jane Milligan who was replaced in the role of Lady Conway by Liz Ewing. [20]

The West End show garnered mixed reviews and closed after its initial four-month run. No official reason was given for the close although it is not believed to have been a financial success. In her 2 star review for the Evening Standard , Fiona Mountford stated that the musical "shares with the film a desperate lack of momentum", and of the songs, "none are memorable". [21] In his 4 star review for The Stage , Mark Shenton stated that the show "doesn't shy from occasional hard edges. Instead, by concentrating on the backstage lives of the dancers and management of the Windmill, there's more of a jaunty, frequently patriotic, flavour to it – that both sings and occasionally stings. [22]

On March 15, 2017, the production opened at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada where it played a limited engagement until April 23, 2017. The show was essentially recast although Tracie Bennett reprised the role of Mrs Henderson, with the cast also including Peter Polycarpou and Evelyn Hoskins as Maureen. [23]

Music

The musical features an original score composed by George Fenton and Simon Chamberlain, [24] with lyrics by Don Black, [25] [26] orchestrations by Larry Blank, [27] sound design by Gareth Owen [28] and musical direction and vocal arrangements by Mike Dixon. [29]

Musical numbers

Orchestra

The musical uses an eight-member orchestra consisting of Keyboard, Woodwind, Trumpet, Drums, Percussion, Double Bass and Cello. [11]

Principal roles and original cast

CharacterTheatre Royal Bath performerWest End performer
Laura Henderson Tracie Bennett
Vivian Van Damm Ian Bartholomew
Maureen Emma Williams
Arthur Mark Hadfield Jamie Foreman
Lord Cromer Graham Hoadly Robert Hands
EddieMatthew Malthouse
BertieSamuel Holmes
PeggyKatie Bernstein
DorisLizzy Connolly
VeraLauren Hood
Lady ConwayJane MilliganLiz Ewing
SuzanneKatrina Kleve
FrankAlexander Delamere
CyrilDickie Wood
SpoonsSam O'Rourke
AggieJulie ArmstrongTania Newton
SidAndrew Bryant
MagicianNeil Stewart
Nigel /
Lord Cromer's Secretary
Oliver Jackson
Windmill GirlsSarah Bakker
Rhiannon Chesterman
Victoria Hay

Awards and nominations

YearAward CeremonyCategoryNomineeResult
2016 Laurence Olivier Awards Best New Musical Nominated
Best Actor in a Musical Ian Bartholomew Nominated
Best Actress in a Musical Tracie Bennett Nominated
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical Emma Williams Nominated

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References

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