Co-produced by Chichester Festival Theatre and Theatr Clwyd in Mold, the show sees Blyton's tale adapted for the stage by Elinor Cook, with music and lyrics by Theo Jamieson (U.Me) and directed by Clwyd's artistic director Tamara Harvey...
...It will run at Clwyd from 23 September to 15 October, before transferring to Chichester from 21 October to 12 November.
Harvey said today "I loved Enid Blyton's stories when I was a kid – the magical worlds she created and the daring adventures she and her characters took me on – and so it's a huge privilege to have the chance to bring The Famous Five to life on stage. Elinor and Theo have perfectly captured the spirit of the books, whilst also bringing their own wit and sense of mischief to this brand new musical."
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Sounds good. Thank you Anita.
I used to cycle to our caravan in Pantymwyn near Mold when I was a little bit younger, so I can easily attend this.
I wonder how much tickets will cost?
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
- The Christmas Tree Aeroplane - Society Member
It seems strange to me that they play it in just two locations for some three weeks each. Surely a week in each would be adequate, then giving four other locations around the country a chance so more people can see it. Of course they may be planning further performances elsewhere but wouldn't they normally announce the complete tour at the outset?
"You can't change history as that won't change the future"
It's being produced by the two theatres concerned for their own benefit. No doubt the author(s) will be hoping for a rousing success so they can take it on tour later.
If the photo is anything to go by, they might be using children to play the children's roles (unlike eg. The Railway Children, which used adults). If so, that would perhaps restrict touring as well.
If the show was on near where I live, I would see it. It would certainly be better if children rather than adults played the Famous Five. After seeing Matilda twice and Mary Poppins in the West End I realise how amazingly talented children can be on stage.
I hope this musical is a great interpretation, is very successful, and eventually is produced here! I would love to go!
“To grow up in intimate association with nature – animal and vegetable – is an irreplaceable form of wealth and culture.”
~Miles Franklin, Childhood At Brindabella: My First Ten Years
Katharine wrote: ↑03 Mar 2022, 23:12
I have the video of Smuggler's Gold which I seem to recall I quite enjoyed. Sadly I no longer have a working video player so can't watch it any more.
It's out on DVD now, too
"It's the ash! It's falling!" yelled Julian, almost startling Dick out of his wits...
"Listen to its terrible groans and creaks!" yelled Julian, almost beside himself with impatience.
Barnard wrote: ↑04 Mar 2022, 08:24
If the show was on near where I live, I would see it. It would certainly be better if children rather than adults played the Famous Five. After seeing Matilda twice and Mary Poppins in the West End I realise how amazingly talented children can be on stage.
That's certainly true. I've seen Phantom of the Opera several times, but the best and most moving phantom was in a Pendle Hippodrome Junior Theatre version. It was a wonderful show, entirely played by children (older teenagers, mostly).
I've seen fantastic performances from children in lots of productions. One of the most demanding roles has to be Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical. Billy is on stage for almost the whole show, not only acting and singing but dancing as well. An astonishingly challenging part.
Children and teenagers played Julian et al in Smuggler's Gold - the Musical and I hope the same will apply to the new musical.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
Did the creators of the musical have to get permission from Hachette to use the FF characters to put on this show?
“To grow up in intimate association with nature – animal and vegetable – is an irreplaceable form of wealth and culture.”
~Miles Franklin, Childhood At Brindabella: My First Ten Years
Tony and I saw The Famous Five: a New Musical at the Chichester Festival Theatre this afternoon. I must admit I didn't find it anywhere near as good as the Malory Towers musical we saw in Bristol in 2019. Julian, Dick, Anne and George were played by adults aged 18 - 20-odd and, although they did a reasonable job of acting younger than their real ages, I didn't feel caught up in their story the way I did with the Malory Towers characters. The most endearing character was actually Timmy, a puppet whose puppeteer managed to imbue him with life and warmth so that he lit up the stage. The plot had some good elements (e.g. kidnapping, revenge, scientific experiments and secrets) but lacked pace and was punctuated by songs which served to slow down the action rather than move things along, though the musical numbers in the second half were more lively. A key scene near the end was overly comic, I thought, though it still raised a smile.
I was impressed with the props and scenery. Before the musical began, the stage was decked out with models of Kirrin Island, Kirrin Cottage, boats, etc. all beautifully lit with projections of rippling waves and a blue sky with scudding clouds. During the performance, there were flying birds on sticks and quirky sheep fashioned from suitcases! Oh, and a science lab with flasks, beakers and test tubes full of coloured liquids.
Not a terrible production by any means, but it failed to capture the spirit of the books and just didn't feel very Famous Five-ish!
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
