Mrs Henderson Presents, the brand new musical based on the film starring Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins, will have its world premiere prior to the West End as part of Theatre Royal Bath’s summer season 2015 (14 August to 3 September 2015).
The musical, which has a book by Terry Johnson, who also directs, lyrics by Don Black and music by George Fenton and Simon Chamberlain, is based on the motion picture with a screenplay by Martin Sherman.
It’s London, 1937, and recently-widowed eccentric, Laura Henderson, is looking for a way of spending her time and money when her attention falls on a run-down former cinema in Great Windmill Street. Hiring feisty impresario Vivian Van Damm to look after the newly renovated Windmill Theatre, the improbable duo present a bill of non-stop variety acts. But as war looms something more is required to boost morale and box office. When Mrs Henderson comes up with the idea of The Windmill Girls – glamorous young women posing as nude statues – audiences flock. And as the Blitz hits London, The Windmill provides a refuge for all, boasting the spirit-raising slogan ‘We Never Close’.
Terry Johnson’s many West End productions as director and/or writer include One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Hitchcock Blonde, Entertaining Mr Sloane, The Graduate, Dead Funny, Hysteria, Elton John’s Glasses and The Memory of Water. He won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical for La Cage aux Folles.
Don Black’s stage musicals include Billy, Tell Me On a Sunday, Aspects of Love and Stephen Ward and he won two Tony Awards for Sunset Boulevard. Film lyrics include ‘Diamonds are Forever’, ‘Born Free’ and ‘The Italian Job’. Among his many popular hit songs are Michael Jackson’s ‘Ben’ and Lulu’s ‘To Sir With Love’, both of which were US number one hits.
George Fenton has composed numerous film scores including for the original film of Mrs Henderson Presents, Gandhi, Cry Freedom, Dangerous Liaisons, The Wind That Shakes the Barley and Memphis Belle; and music for television series including The Jewel in the Crown, The Blue Planet and Planet Earth.
Simon Chamberlain was the original music director on the film Mrs Henderson Presents.
Mrs Henderson Presents is produced by The Heywire Partnership, Michael Harrison and Theatre Royal Bath Productions.
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