Half a Sixpence (2016 musical)

Half a Sixpence
Poster for the West End production
Music	George Stiles David Heneker
Lyrics	Anthony Drewe David Heneker
Book	Julian Fellowes
Basis	Kipps by H. G. Wells
Premiere	14 July 2016: Chichester Festival Theatre
Productions	2016 Chichester 2016 West End

Half a Sixpence (also Kipps - The New Half A Sixpence Musical) is a stage musical based on the 1905 novel Kipps by H. G. Wells and the original 1963 musical, with music by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and lyrics by Anthony Drewe and Heneker, featuring several of the original songs by Heneker, and book by Julian Fellowes.

The original musical of Half a Sixpence, based on the novel Kipps by H. G. Wells, featured music and lyrics by David Heneker and book by Beverley Cross. The musical was written as a star vehicle for British pop star Tommy Steele who performed the role of Kipps originally in London in 1963, Broadway in 1965 and in the 1967 film adaptation. It was evident that the show relied on Steele as the star vehicle as he featured in twelve of the musical's fifteen songs.

Following the success with Mary Poppins, producer Cameron Mackintosh reunited the same team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe to adapt Heneker's original songs and create new material for the production, with Julian Fellowes writing an entirely new book. The creative team also reunites Stiles and Drewe with Fellowes after Mary Poppins and the new musical adaptation of The Wind in the Willows (which also reunites director Rachel Kavanaugh, who also directed Stiles and Drewe's Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure).

The musical premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre from 14 July to 2 September 2016 as a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh. It was originally announced that Bryan Dick would star as Kipps, however he later withdrew to appear in the West End production of Hobson's Choice.^[1] It was later announced that newcomer Charlie Stemp would take over as Arthur Kipps alongside Devon-Elise Johnson as Ann Pornick, Ian Bartholomew as Chitterlow, Emma Williams as Helen Walsingham and Vivien Parry as Mrs Walsingham.^[2] The production is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, designed by Paul Brown, choreographed by Andrew Wright, orchestrations by William David Brohn, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter and video design by Luke Halls.

Following rave reviews in Chichester, the production transferred to the West End in London at the Noël Coward Theatre with previews beginning 29 October and press night on 17 November 2016. It featured the original Chichester cast and ran for ten months in the West End following three extensions to its limited run.^[3] Combined with the Chichester run, the production played around 400 performances.^[4]

Amateur productions

The Amateur World Premier was performed by Manchester Musical Youth, at Zion Arts in Hulme, Manchester, in 2018

The cast included Harry Warburton as Arthur Kipps, Beth Kevern as Ann Pornick, Emma Wilcox as Helen Walsingham, and Mia Inglott as Flo. Warburton won a NODA award for his performance as Kipps

Half a Sixpence (2016 Cast Recording)
Soundtrack album cast recording by Various
Released	18 November 2016 (2016-11-18)
Length	70:44
Label	First Night Records

On Friday 18 November 2016, the 2016 London Cast Recording was released by First Night Records on CD and iTunes digital download.^[5] It features 23 tracks and was recorded live during the final three performances in the Chichester run.

A filmed recording of the 2016 West End production was broadcast on Sky Arts on Wednesday 29 December 2021 under the title of Kipps (the musical's new licensing name).^[6]

The musical is licensed through Music Theatre International Europe to professional and amateur productions under the title Kipps - The New Half a Sixpence Musical.