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Stephen Ward (musical)

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Stephen Ward
The Scandal That Shook Society
MusicAndrew Lloyd Webber
LyricsDon Black
Christopher Hampton
BookDon Black
Christopher Hampton
BasisThe Profumo Affair
Productions2013 West End

Stephen Ward is a musical with a book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.[1] Based on the real life events behind the 1963 Profumo Affair,[2][3] the musical made its West End and world premiere at London's Aldwych Theatre in 2013.

Background

In February 2012, Webber first revealed in an interview with Chris Evans that he was considering working on a show based on the Profumo Affair.[4] A first reading of the musical[5] was held in London in early 2013,[6] with its first public outing coming in March,[7] with Milos Karadaglic[8] performing the title song from the show on an ITV special Andrew Lloyd Webber: 40 Musical Years. The track was later released as a digital download.[7]

Officially confirmed on 28 June 2013, producers announced that the initial production would play the Aldwych Theatre,[9] with tickets going on sale immediately.[10] The show with a budget of £2.5 million[11] has a book with lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton[12] and is directed by Richard Eyre,[13] with choreography by Stephen Mear, set design by Rob Howell, lighting design by Peter Mumford and sound by Paul Groothuis.[14]

Production history

West End (2013)

Stephen Ward began previews on 3 December 2013,[15] at the Aldwych Theatre, London, before holding its official opening night on 19 December.[14] On 6 September 2013, full casting was announced with Alexander Hanson playing the title role of Stephen Ward,[16] Charlotte Spencer as Christine Keeler,[17] Joanna Riding as Valerie Hobson,[18] Charlotte Blackledge as Mandy Rice Davies, Anthony Calf as Lord Astor, Daniel Flynn as John Profumo, Ian Conningham as Ivanov, Christopher Howell as Percival Murray, Ricardo Coke Thomas as Lucky Gordon and Wayne Robinson as Johnny Edgecombe.[19] A typical London performance runs 2hrs 20mins, including one interval.[20]

Music

Musical numbers

Recordings

A West End original cast album, was released on 30 December 2013,[21] featuring nineteen songs.[22] The album released by Decca Records was originally slated for a March 2014[23] release, but was brought forward due to demand.[24]

Untitled
No.TitleLength
1."Human Sacrifice"5:01
2."Super Duper Hula Hooper"1:36
3."When You Get To Know Me"3:23
4."You're So Very Clever To Have Found This"3:09
5."This Side Of The Sky"4:33
6."Manipulation"4:31
7."He Sees Something In Me"2:05
8."You've Never Had It So Good"4:41
9."Black-hearted Woman"2:20
10."Mother Russia, While We Can"4:12
11."Love Nest"2:25
12."1963"3:47
13."Give Us Something Juicy"2:47
14."Manipulation (reprise)"2:13
15."Police Interview"6:33
16."I'm Hopeless When It Comes To You"3:45
17."The Arrest"1:10
18."The Trial"5:08
19."Too Close To The Flame"6:29

Principal roles and cast members

Character Original West End actor[25]
Stephen Ward Alexander Hanson[25]
Christine Keeler Charlotte Spencer [25]
Mandy Rice-Davies Charlotte Blackledge[25]
Lord Astor Anthony Calf[25]
John Profumo Daniel Flynn[25]
Valerie Hobson Joanna Riding[25]
Johnny Edgecombe Wayne Robinson[25]
Yevgeny Ivanov Ian Conningham[25]
Lucky Gordon Ricardo Coke Thomas[25]
Percival Murray Christopher Howell[25]

Critical reception

The West End production of Stephen Ward received mixed reviews from critics.[26]

References

  1. ^ "Andrew Lloyd Webber presents Profumo scandal, the West End musical". telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  2. ^ "Lloyd Webber turns political scandal into musical". http://abclocal.go.com. ABC News. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  3. ^ "Will theatre fans warm to Stephen Ward the musical?". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  4. ^ "Andrew Lloyd Webber working on Profumo musical". guardian.co.uk. The Guardian. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  5. ^ "Andrew Lloyd Webber presents Profumo scandal, the West End musical". telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. 17 January 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  6. ^ "Andrew Lloyd Webber Will Present Reading of His New Musical, About Stephen Ward and British Sex Scandal, in London". playbill.com. Playbill. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  7. ^ a b ""Theme for Stephen Ward," the First Music from Andrew Lloyd Webber's New Show, to Be Released March 31". playbill.com. Playbill. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  8. ^ "Andrew Lloyd Webber: 'My greatest regret'". telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  9. ^ "Profumo musical set for West End". belfasttelegraph.co.uk. The Belfast Telegraph. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  10. ^ "Andrew Lloyd Webber's Stephen Ward Will Premiere at West End's Aldwych Theatre in December". playbill.com. Playbill. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  11. ^ "I can't afford to do many more musicals". telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  12. ^ "Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Stephen Ward to open at Aldwych Theatre in December". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  13. ^ "Andrew Lloyd Webber turns political scandal into musical". news-sentinel.com. The News-Sentinel. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  14. ^ a b "Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black's Stephen Ward premieres at Aldwych in December". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  15. ^ "Alexander Hanson Is Stephen Ward in New Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical, Beginning Dec. 3". playbill.com. Playbill. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  16. ^ "HANSON LEADS AS LLOYD WEBBER'S WARD". officiallondontheatre.co.uk. Official London Theatre. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  17. ^ "From Mary Poppins child star to Profumo femme fatale in Lloyd Webber's latest". standard.co.uk. London Evening Standard. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  18. ^ "Alexander Hanson and Joanna Riding cast in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Stephen Ward". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  19. ^ "Charlotte Spencer, Alexander Hanson & Charlotte Blackledge to Lead Andrew Lloyd Webber's New Musical STEPHEN WARD". broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  20. ^ "Stephen Ward at the Aldwych Theatre". boxoffice.telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  21. ^ "Cast Album of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Stephen Ward Will Be Released in December". playbill.com. Playbill. 20 November 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  22. ^ "Stephen Ward cast recording to be released on December 30". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  23. ^ "Cast Album for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Stephen Ward Sets Release Date". broadway.com. Broadway.Com. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  24. ^ "Cast Album for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Stephen Ward to Release Early, Arrives December 30". broadway.com. Broadway.Com. 21 November 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Casting Announced for World Premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Stephen Ward, Starring Alexander Hanson". playbill.com. Playbill. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  26. ^ "Lloyd Webber 'proud' as new musical opens". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
Further reading

External links

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