ABBACADABRA - the musical
Sian Williams
by David Fick posing some questions which I dredged ny memory (oh OK and
my old theatre programme!) to answer.
Thought I'd post his Qs and my As here in case they're of interest to
anyone else:
>I am looking for the following info:
>
>Format - 2 acts?
Yes. 2 acts.
>Choreographer?
Anthony Van Laast (well known for TV choreography including the Kate
Bush TV Special). The ABBACADABRA programme notes state that he had
"just finished working on the James Bond film Never Say Never Again in
which he also acted".
>Director?
Peter James (previously directed "Blondel" by Tim Rice & Stephen
Oliver).
>Did anyone co-produce with Cameron Mackintosh?
Hmmm. Not sure about that. The programme (in very small print!) names
Martin McCallum as Production Associate for Cameron Mackintosh.
(Whatever that means!)
>How long was the run in 1983?
From the 8 December 83 to the 21 January 84. I saw it on that very last
day (exactly a week before my birthday) in case you're interested!
>Is there a recording of the show available?
Not that I'm aware of - though, of course, there were a couple of
singles released. (Time, I Am the Seeker, Like an Image Passing By).
>Synopsis of the plot?
God! Erm, well, I mentioned that it was along time ago didn't I? All I
can remember is that it was a fairy-tale/ pantomime sort of thing
involving the Beast, Cinderella, Pinocchio, Aladdin, a children's choir
and some comedy crows!! If I recall the kids (Linda, Peter & John) get
lost in the woods (or somesuch) and meet the various characters. Oh and
it all turned out well in the end, of course.
>List of musical numbers?
Act 1
"It's Another World"
Aladdin, Beast, Cinderella, Pinocchio, Linda, Peter & John
"Battle of the Brooms"
Dance number with crows, Aladdin, Beast, Cinderella, Pinocchio, Linda,
Peter & John
"I Am the Seeker"
Beast
"I Can Pull Some Strings"
Pinocchio and Children's Choir
"Making Magic"
Aladdin with Beast, Cinderella, Pinocchio, Linda, Peter & John
"When Dreamers Close their Eyes"
Cinderella
"Belonging"
Beast and Carabosse
(INTERVAL)
Act 2
"Back Home Now"
Linda, Peter & John
"Carabosse Supershow"
Carabosse, Crows, Aladdin, Cinderella & Pinocchio
"Think of Something Fast"
Carabosse
"Time"
Beast and Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, Cinderella, Pinocchio, Linda, Peter
& John & Children's Choir
"Like an Image Passing By"
Carabosse
"Thank You for the Magic"
Aladdin, Beast, Cinderella, Pinocchio, Linda, Peter & John
>Original Cast?
Elaine Paige - Miss Williams (hey, my namesake!)/ Carabosse
Jenna Russell - Linda
Nigel Harman/Richard Hagan - Peter
Dexter Fletcher - John
Finola Hughes - Cinderella
Michael Praed - Aladdin
Sylvester McCoy - Pinocchio
B A Robertson - Beast
Phil Daniels - Fred
Claud Paul Henry - Joe Crow
Stewart Avon Arnold - Zeke Beak
Geoff David - Supercrow
Linda-Mae Brewer - Flo Crow
Jayne Leigh Collins - Sleeping Beauty
(all in all some pretty well known names).
>Is the show available for production and who holds the rights?
>
I have no idea. Sorry. Of course all the music was written by Bjorn
Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, plus lyrics by Don Black with additional
lyrics by Bjorn and Mike Batt. Original story by Alain and Daniel
Boublil.
>Thanks very much for your time and effort. I appreciate it greatly.
>
No problem. You're welcome.
--
Sian Williams
Podmix
Tres informative.
>>How long was the run in 1983?
>
>From the 8 December 83 to the 21 January 84. I saw it on that very last
>day (exactly a week before my birthday) in case you're interested!
So you had nothing to do with the show finishing up, then;-)
Many happy's for 14th January (?)
It's in my diary.
>If I recall the kids (Linda, Peter & John) get
>lost in the woods (or somesuch) and meet the various characters. Oh and
>it all turned out well in the end, of course.
>
In panto? Never! Surely not!
>>List of musical numbers?
BTW, do you remember the original ABBA tracks for each. I know a couple (ie
the singles) and can guess some others, but now I'm curious. How's your
fabulous, wonderful, priceless memory?
>>Original Cast?
>
>Elaine Paige - Miss Williams (hey, my namesake!)/ Carabosse
>Finola Hughes - Cinderella
Was she as bad in the production as she is on vinyl? The pitch is very
wayward on her song...
>Sylvester McCoy - Pinocchio
Thank you for making me fall off my seat. My fave Dr Who! Yeehar!!
>B A Robertson - Beast
>Phil Daniels - Fred
>Claud Paul Henry - Joe Crow
>Stewart Avon Arnold - Zeke Beak
>Geoff David - Supercrow
>Linda-Mae Brewer - Flo Crow
>Jayne Leigh Collins - Sleeping Beauty
>
>(all in all some pretty well known names).
I only know 3 :-( Is it a British sorta thing?
Thanks for the info, again Sian!
Cheers
The future can only be remembered by those with a good... er... memory
Rickflener
the French production for quite some time...Do you know if there was any kind
of soundtrack album like there was in France for their production? I would
love to find either one...or at least a CD-R copy...
Rick