Miss Littlewood Explained

Miss Littlewood
Music:Sam Kenyon
Lyrics:Sam Kenyon
Basis:The life of Joan Littlewood
Premiere Location:Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

Miss Littlewood is a stage musical with music, lyrics and book by Sam Kenyon.

It is based on the life of theatre director Joan Littlewood and the formation of the Theatre Workshop which found residency at Theatre Royal Stratford East.

Production history

World premiere: Stratford-upon-Avon (2018)

The musical was produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company and made its world premiere at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon on 3 July 2018 (with previews from 22 June) for a limited 6 week run until 4 August 2018. The production was directed by Erica Whyman with design by Tom Piper, lighting design by Charles Balfour, musical supervision and orchestrated by Sarah Travis, musical direction by Tarek Merchant, sound by Jonathan Ruddick and movement by Lucy Hind. The musical was developed in collaboration with Theatre Royal Stratford East.[1] The full cast was announced on 13 April 2018.[2]

The playtext was published by Samuel French Limited on 21 June 2018.[3] A cast recording, featuring 13 tracks and produced by Gareth Cousins, was recorded at the Swan Theatre during the musical's preview period and is available from the RSC shop[4] and Spotify[5]

Cast and characters

Character!Stratford-Upon-Avon[6]
2018
Joan Littlewoodalign=center Clare Burt
Sister Mary/Rosalie Williams/Reporteralign=center Daisy Badger
Robert Littlewood/Jimmie Miller/Cedric Pricealign=center Greg Barnett
Kate Littlewood/Beattie/Shelagh Delaneyalign=center Laura Elsworthy
Gerry Rafflesalign=center Solomon Israel
Nelliealign=center Natasha Lewis
Gielgud's Macbeth/Howard Goorney/Murray Melvin/Bellboyalign=center Tam Williams
Joan 1/Pearl Turner/Barbara Young/Lionel Bart/Barbara/Barbara Windsoralign=center Emily Johnstone
Joan 2/Frank Normanalign=center Aretha Ayeh
Joan 3/Avis Bunnagealign=center Sophia Nomvete
Sister Gertrude/Woman with pears/Jean Newlove/Joan 4align=center Sandy Foster
Sister Susannah/Nick/Archie Harding/John Bury/Joan 5/Victor Spinettialign=center Amanda Hadingue
Caroline Emily/Hal Prince/Joan 6align=center Dawn Hope

Musical numbers

Act I
Act II

Orchestrations

The production, orchestrated by Sarah Travis, uses 7 musicians, including 1 reed player (clarinet/bass clarinet/flute), 1 brass (trumpet), 2 strings (violin/viola and cello/double bass), a percussionist and 2 keyboards (keyboard/accordion and keyboard programming).[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Exclusive: Clare Burt to star as Joan Littlewood in RSC's new musical this summer. 2018-04-18. en-GB.
  2. News: Clare Burt to make RSC debut in Joan Littlewood musical. 2018-04-13. The Stage. 2018-07-04. en-US.
  3. Web site: Miss Littlewood.
  4. Web site: Miss Littlewood: CD (2018).
  5. Web site: Miss Littlewood (Songs from the 2018 Swan Theatre Production). .
  6. Web site: Latest Press Releases Royal Shakespeare Company. www.rsc.org.uk. 2018-04-17.
  7. Web site: Cast and Creatives Miss Littlewood Royal Shakespeare Company. www.rsc.org.uk. 2018-07-04.