Half a Sixpence

Half a Sixpence is one of my favourite shows having played Kipps four times plus Chitterlow and other parts too so I was really looking forward to seeing this production of this classic show.

For some unknown reason the right’s holders decided to re-write this show a few years ago and I have to say to my mind it was not an improvement on the original and I did feel the first half was a little slow throughout, this again being a fault of the re-write and not the production.

 In the leading role Lee Caddick did a great job of portraying Arthur Kipps, the cheeky chappie who is loved by all. Lee’s singing and dancing was excellent and his relationship with his co-workers in Shalford’s Emporium was equally good. In these roles we had Sam Hyland as Sid Pornick, Ryan Howe as Pearce and Thomas Parry as Buggins, all three of them pulling out all the stops to produce some good characterisations.

Also proving a worthwhile mention was Edmund Bell as the officious shop owner come father figure Mr Shalford, who rules with an iron rod.

The four shop girls were also portrayed admirably by Caitlin Hawes as Alice, Tamsin Kendall as Victoria, Katie Burgin as Kate and Olivia Athorn as Flo.

Kipps has a childhood sweetheart, Ann, who he eventually marries and in this version has a couple of children, Ann was in the more than capable hands of Holly Lees who was able to bring out the best of this character in both her singing and acting.

Kipps as we all know comes into a large amount of money brought to him by the larger than life character, Chitterlow.  David Cooper was superb in this part and was able to give him the right amount of effervescence without going over the top. I particularly enjoyed his duet with Kipps in the second half The One Who’s Run Away.

Kipps also has another romance with Helen Walsingham, the upper class lady who falls for his charms after meeting him at both the store and the evening class she runs. Ellen Sidebottom was able to give this character life to make her a very believable partner to Kipps. Helen is also joined by her mother, a rather pushy lady who tries to achieve things high above her station in life. Here we had Jo Smith who played a very snooty character who manages to look down her nose at everyone around her. Helen also has a brother, Young Walsingham who from what we see and hear has managed to go through life without having to do any work, Ashley Ironmonger was excellent in this part and you could just imagine the silver spoon he would have been born with.

In this re-write the story starts with a young Kipps and Ann who are orphaned children, Harvey Wilson and Chloe Prew were both good and I am sure managed to steal the hearts of all in the audience.

All the characters were ably supported by a chorus who added to the enjoyment of this production.

Congratulations must go to Martyn Lees, Director, Robert Cooper, MD and Dani Sampson, Choreographer.

 

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