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Overview

Synopsis

Half A Sixpence is a musical adaptation of H.G. Wells’s autobiographical novel Kipps: The Story Of A Simple Soul.

The musical tells the tale of the changing fortunes of Arthur Kipps, an orphan and draper's assistant at Shalford’s Bazaar in Folkestone, Kent at the turn of the twentieth century. Kipps is an easy-going working class lad, who is happiest with his banjo. However, when he unexpectedly inherits a fortune from an estranged grandfather, he is suddenly propelled him into high society. He catches the eye of Helen Walsingham and her money-grabbing family, who are desperate to restore their family fortune. His childhood sweetheart, Ann Pornick, is forced to watch helplessly as Helen attempts to transform Kipps into perfect husband material. Both young women undoubtedly love Kipps in their own ways but by the time he makes up his mind which one he wants, it may be too late. When he loses his money (thanks to the fraudulent behavior of Helen’s brother, James), Kipps is reminded of his roots and where his heart truly lies.

Show Information

Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2016
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Folkestone, England, Early Twentieth Century
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
Musical Staging
Ideal For
College/University, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters

Context

Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Arthur Kipps

Lead

Male

Baritone

Chitterlow

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Mrs. Walsingham

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Mr. Shalford

Supporting

Male

Baritone, Bass-Baritone

James Walsingham

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass-Baritone

Sid Pornick

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Pierce

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Buggins

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Flo Evans

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Helen Walsingham

Supporting

Female

Alto

Ann Pornick

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Lady Punnet

Featured

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano

Foster

Featured

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone

Lady Dacre

Featured

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Mrs. Bindo-Botting

Featured

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Mr. Maxwell

Featured

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone

Carshot

Featured

Male

Baritone

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone

Songs

Act One

Half a Sixpence - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick

*Look Alive - Company

*Money to Burn - Arthur Kipps, Mr Shalford, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Pierce and Flo

Believe in Yourself - Arthur Kipps and Helen Walsingham

She's Too Far Above Me - Arthur Kipps

Money to Burn (Reprise) - Arthur Kipps and Chitterlow

*A Proper Gentleman - Arthur Kipps, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Pearce and Flo

Half a Sixpence (Reprise) - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick

Long Ago - Ann Pornick

*The Joy of the Theatre - Chitterlow and Company

Just a Few Little Things - Helen Walsingham and Arthur Kipps

A Little Touch of Happiness - Ann Pornick and Flo

*If The Rain's Got to Fall - Mrs Walsingham, Arthur Kipps, Foster, Helen Walsingham, Lady Punnet and Company

Act Two

The One That's Run Away - Chitterlow & Arthur Kipps

*Pick Out a Simple Tune - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick

You Never Get Anything Right / I Know Who I Am - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick

We'll Build a Palace / I Only Want a Little House - Arthur Kipps, Helen Walsingham, Mrs Walsingham, James Walsingham

In the Middle There's Me - Arthur Kipps, Buggins, Sid Pornick and Pierce

Long Ago (Reprise) - Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick

*Flash Bang Wallop - Arthur Kipps, Ann Pornick, Mr. Shalford, Pearce, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Flo, Photographer and Company

Flash Bang Wallop (Reprise)- Chitterlow, Arthur Kipps, Ann Pornick, Mr. Shalford, Pearce, Sid Pornick, Buggins, Flo, Photographer and Company

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher