Half a Sixpence
A musical comedy in 2 acts, 18 scenes: Book by Beverley Cross; based on the novel Kipps by H.G. Wells; Music & Lyrics by David Heneker
Cambridge Theatre, London - March 21, 1963 (677 perfs)
Broadhurst Theatre, New York - April 25, 1965 (512 perfs)
Synopsis
The play opens in Shalford's Drapery Emporium where Kipps works and lives as an apprentice draper. Ann, Kipps's childhood sweetheart, is in service so they don't get much chance to see each other. Kipps thinks that a lovers token might help the romance along but the next day brings news that is to change his life. He learns that solicitors are looking for him and consequently gets a little drunk. He is marched off to join his woodwork class run by Helen Walsingham. Kipps falls for her without much hope. Ann is cross with Kipps for not meeting her and walks out on him just before he learns that he has inherited a fortune. Spurred on by his new social standing Kipps proposes to Helen, but her family pressure makes him realise that Ann is his first and real love. Kipps and Ann marry but his yearning to maintain his social standing creates problems between them which are only resolved when a fortune is lost. A small fortune is offered to him ... he rejects it. "What a rum do everything is," he comments.
Casting:
23 parts, 13 principals.
- Arthur Kipps, winning actor who can sing, dance, and play the banjo (latter can be faked).
- Sid, Buggins, and Pearce, Kipps's singing and dancing buddies.
- Ann, Kipps's true love, legit voice.
- Helen, Kipps's other love, straight role, minor singing.
- Four shopgirls, sing and dance well.
Others are straight roles with minor singing and dancing. Large singing and dancing chorus. Almost everyone dances at least a little.
Total cast, 34-46.
Musical Numbers
Act I
- Economy - Kipps and apprentices
- Half a Sixpence - Kipps and Ann
- Money To Burn - Kipps and men's chorus
- I Don't Believe A Word Of It - Ann and Shopgirls
- A Proper Gentleman - Kipps and chorus
- She's Too Far Above Me - Kipps
- If The Rain's Got To Fall - Kipps and Chorus
- The Old Military Canal - Chorus
- Act I Finale
Act II
- The One Who's Run Away - Kipps and Chitterlow
- Long Ago - Ann and Kipps
- Flash, Bang, Wallop! - Kipps and ensemble
- I Know What I Am - Ann
- The Party's On The House - Kipps and Ensemble
- Half a Sixpence - Reprise - Kipps and Ann
- Finale
Scenes and Settings
2 acts, 18 scenes, 9 full stage sets (including 3 drops), 4 scene drops. The original production used 1 large turntable.
ACT I
- Scene 1: The Emporium.
- Scene 2: The Promenade.
- Scene 3: The Emporium.
- Scene 4: "Hope and Anchor" Bar.
- Scene 5: The Street.
- Scene 6: The Classroom.
- Scene 7: The Emporium.
- Scene 8: The Promenade.
- Scene 9: The Old Lighthouse.
- Scene 10: Military Canal Regatta.
ACT II
- Scene 1: Mrs. Botting's Solarium.
- Scene 2: Kitchen.
Scene 3: Photographer's Studio. - Scene 4: Parlor of Rented House.
- Scene 5: The Pier.
- Scene 6: The Building Site.
- Scene 7: The Promenade.
- Scene 8: The Bookshop.
Instrumentation
Violins I–II, cello, bass, reed I, II, III, IV, trumpet I, II, III, trombone I, II, guitar-banjo, percussion, piano-conductor.
Period and Costumes
Folkestone, England, 1900: apprentice clothes, blazers, white pants, straw hats, morning suits, bowlers, black dresses with white trimming, society gowns and day dresses of the period, sailor dresses, maids' uniforms, knickerbockers, male evening clothes, barmaid, rough-looking costumes for bar patrons, wool caps, mufflers.
Choreography
Opening ballet: a day's business at the Emporium; soft shoe, modern, promenade, couples number, tableau, modern, photograph number.
Lighting and Special Effects
Some dramatic and special lighting (day and night). Lamps on set, independent lighting on canal barge, party lighting.