A message from the Director
When the committee asked if I wanted to direct the first post-lockdown show, I knew it would be tricky. However, I any problems I had foreseen were matched and multiplied by those I hadn’t. For this reason I need to thank three people especially for making this show a reality. Firstly, Nick King and Ken Williams. Without their work on the backing tracks and music, we would have been chanting in unison, acapella to half of the obscure songs I chose for the show. And most of all, I need to thank Stephanie King. Crediting her simply with MD does not give her a fraction of the credit she deserves. For all the problems we faced, she was ready with a solution, so a huge thank you to Steph.
I also want to voice my thanks to Victoria Jones, who took on the lion's share of the choreography as well as dipping into nearly every facet of the show's production. Unfortunately, her efforts were so diverse that giving her an apt title in the printed programme would take up too much space.
I hope you enjoy the curious mish-mash we have put together for you. The concept of Fact vs Fiction gave me an opportunity to bring to the stage some of my favourite shows as well as a couple of old classics. It is a privilege to share them with you this evening.
Have a fantastic night!
- Ali Slaughter
Cast photos
Come From Away
Welcome to the Rock! From the very first number you get a feel for the amazing personalities that make up the town of Gander, Newfoundland. Set during and after the events of September 11th 2001, the musical shows how a small town opened their homes, arms and hearts to so many of those airplane passengers redirected during the attack on the United States.
Like what you hear? Try these songs too: Darkness and Trees, Costume Party, Me and the Sky.
Six
The six EX-wives of Henry VIII take to the stage to tell you what was left out of the rhyme everyone learnt at school. I chose two very contrasting queens: Anne of Cleves (the catfish queen) and Jane Seymour (the only one he really loved). While they’re my favourites, I have no doubt you’ll find your own if you listen to the rest of the show.
Other favourites: Ex-Wives, No Way, Don’t Lose your Head.
Something Rotten
Something Rotten
Welcome to the Renaissance for what is the most tenuously ‘factual’ musical in the first act. Yes, there was William Shakespeare, strutting about like a rock star, of course. Was there really a rival called Nick Bottom, who consulted a sooth-sayer to get the jump on Bill’s next masterpiece? Debatable. But frankly, who cares, when you get a musical this good squeezed into an amateur compilation. This is probably my favourite section. Keep your ears peeled for various nods to musical theatre classics.
Other songs to look up: Will Power, A Musical!, Something Rotten.
Beautiful
Carole King? Not sure I know any of her stuff. Actually… If you don’t know the three numbers we’ve got in this show, you’re probably too young to have listened to the language in Come From Away. This jukebox musical tells the story of the prodigious composer’s rise to stardom. It is phenomenal how many instantly recognisable songs can be attributed to King and it is no wonder this musical is rolling in Tony and Olivier nominations and wins.
Want to hear more? Try these: On Broadway, We Gotta Get Out of This Place, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.
Coco
This Disney animation is hilarious, heart-breaking, inspiring and heart-warming in equal measure. When he finds himself cast prematurely into the world of the dead, 12-year-old Miguel has a limited time to find a way back to his family. Along the journey, his love of music, particularly of the great Mexican singer Ernesto de la Cruz (who sings Remember Me from our production), throws him into weird and wonderful situations, including a meeting with the legend himself.
Other songs that I think you’ll love: The World Es Mi Familia, Remember Me (Lullaby/Reunion/All other versions), All of the Spanish language versions of the songs.
Little Shop of Horrors
Probably the most well-known of the shows in tonight’s line-up. Little Shop of Horrors is about a nobody called Seymour who discovers an alien plant, nurtures it to life and… well, if you’ve seen it, you’ll know what happens next. In our show, we give you a taste of the backstory, the romance and the antagonist of the piece. You’ll have to look it up yourself if you want to know what else happens.
These songs might give you a clue: Grow for Me, Feed Me (Git It), Mean Green Mother from Outerspace.
Hadestown
Originally written as a concept album, this retelling of ancient Greek mythology was considered too good not to stage. With inspiration taken from the bars of New Orleans, Americana culture and timeless politics, Anaïs Mitchell, brought the tragic couple into a new light where their love is tested by the Fates, greedy kings and temptation at every turn. In our snippet, you’ll briefly meet Orpheus, Euridice, Hades and Hermes, but you’ll get a more lingering visit from Persephone (Queen of the Underworld) and the Fates themselves.
If I could have put these in too, I would have: Chant, Wait for Me, Why We Build the Wall.
Eugenius!
Eugene? Eugene? Who the flip is Eugene? Well, he’s an ordinary, geeky kid from Ohio who has a talent for writing comics. His original creation, Tough Man, is picked up by a sleezy Hollywood producer, looking for a quick buck. But Hollywood isn’t expecting Tough Man’s REAL LIFE nemesis to crash land on set, seeking revenge against his long-lost brother (gasp!). This space-themed, 80s-inspired stage show is loads of fun and I sincerely hope you’ll look up some of the other songs from it. Tough Man’s sidekick, Superhot Lady, and Eugene’s best friend/secret admirer, Janie, get turns in our section before the finale brings the show home.
You HAVE to listen to these: Tough Man, Who’s That Guy?, Hollywood.