CD Review – Jack the Ripper – Original London Cast

JACK THE RIPPER – Original London Cast (STAGE 9039)

I cannot put into writing the feeling that came over me when I discovered that Stage Door Records had released this album. When I was young (many years ago), I had moved down to London and my thirst for West End shows and original cast recordings from both sides of the Atlantic was insatiable.

My memory may be playing tricks on me, but I recall pestering a man in the shop Dress Circle, as I had been to see this production and wanted to be the first to get my hands on a cast recording – this, unhappily, never happened. However, the man in the shop told me they had recorded it and, because I was one of his most ardent customers, he had managed to get a recording of it on tape, which he said I could have. That tape is still with me, although I did transfer it to CD, but by that time the tape had become almost worn out!

To hear this in a fantastic transfer to CD is amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I hear things that never came out on my old cassette tape. It brings back floods of memories and, I believe, it was show before its time and should be given a nice fresh lick of paint and put back on the stage.

It is witty, original and full of atmosphere. The production was something akin to music hall, with its master of ceremonies narrating on what was happening on stage. The music is by Ron Pember who also co-wrote the book and lyrics with Denis De Marne. The cast is utterly splendid and includes Linda Rusby, Terese Stevens, Elaine Holland, Roy Stone, Eleanor McCready, Peter Spraggon, Christine Edmonds, Charles West and company. The orchestrations are very clever, enabling you to visualise what is happening in your mind. You just need to put the CD on, close your eyes and use your imagination.

This is part of our musical theatre heritage and if this recording can’t bring a smile to your face then you must be totally insensitive. I say get online now and buy this brilliant album. And again, I thank Stage Door Records for this exceptional CD digital transfer.

Nick Wakeham

www.stagedoorrecords.com/stage9039.html

* Jack the Ripper was first staged at London’s Players’ Theatre, opening on 25 June 1974 starring Terese Stevens, Eleanor McCready, Roy Stone and Charles West in the lead roles. Theatre impresario Larry Parnes subsequently transferred the production from the Players’ to London’s Ambassadors Theatre in September 1974, followed by the Cambridge Theatre in February 1975, earning a nomination for Best Musical at the 1974 Evening Standard Theatre Awards. The show would later debut in the United States, produced by Elliot Martin at Providence’s Trinity Theatre in March 1979. Since the amateur production rights were released in 1976, Jack the Ripper has remained a popular production choice with societies worldwide.

In February 1975 an original London cast album of the show was produced but would remain unreleased until now.