Shows H

HARD TIMES Book, music and lyrics by Christopher Tookey and Hugh Thomas. From the novel by Charles Dickens Theatre Royal, Haymarket - Opened 6 June, 2000. Closed 4 August, 2000 (95 perfs) SYNOPSIS Dicken's critique of the brutal realities of of Victorian industrial capitalism is presented as a circus, based on the appearance in the novel of Samuel Sleary's travelling circus, the performers in which act out the story of Hard Times . Dickens’ hard-hitting novel about the brutal realities and materialistic spirit of Victorian industrial capitalism is presented in a stylised pantomime, music-hall and circus format, with the circus performers acting act out the story of Hard Times. Charles Dickens himself is prevailed upon to play the role of the grimThomas Gradgrind. The characters include Mrs Gradgrind (who at one point jumps out of her coffin to join in a tapdance); their daughter, Louisa, who is married off to Bounderby, the callous humbug; and the villainous rake, Harthouse, who preys on poor Louisa. SONGS INCLUDE The Greatest Show On Earth One Of These Days When I Was A Boy Spring Another Town Tomorrow A Modern Marriage Pact CAST (with original performers) Mr Charles Dickens - Brian Blessed Miss Amelia Fidget - Susan Jane Tanner P C Ned Horrocks - Russell Wilcox Mr Bartholomew Bentley - Philip Cox Mr Samuel Sleary - Roy Hudd Mr E W B Childers - Peter Blake Mr Marmaduke Manley - Malcolm Rennie Mrs Sleary - Ann Emery Miss Sally Sleary - Jan Graveson Miss Josephine Sleary - Helen Anker Master Sammy Sleary - Matt Rawle Miss Emma Gordon - Alicia Davies Mr Billy Brighton - Matthew Storey Mr Ted Vol Becque - Tim Laurenti Mr Fred Vol Becque - Steve Fortune Whimsical Walker - Ray C Davis Signor Felix Revolt! - Philip Cox Mr Toby Lilo - Leon Webster Miss Agnes Hengler - Lucy Harris Miss Horne Transfeld - Lesley-Anne Johnson Lero the Great - Jamie Read Mr Alonzo Vol Becque - John Stacey Miss Pauline Violante - Rachel Spry Miss Lily Forepaugh - Rebecca Ryan Zazel - Delia Du Sol Director: Christopher Tookey | Decor: Gemma Fripp | Lighting: Zerina Hughes | Sound: Scott Myers | Choreography: Craig Revel Horwood | Orchestration: Mark Warman | Musical Director James Burton

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