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 grim Thomas Gradgrind. The characters include Mrs Gradgrind (who at one point jumps out of her coffin to join in a tap-dance); 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
Assistant director Graham Gill