Overview
Synopsis
This innovative, symbolic musical examines the birth, life, and death of the clownish Littlechap. He is born into a circus-like world and struggles to make his way in life working as a tea-boy. One day, he falls in love with Evie, his boss’s daughter. When Evie becomes pregnant, the couple get married and Littlechap must take a job in his father-in-law’s factory to support his family. As he advances professionally, Littlechap’s family expands but he does not have the son he longs for. Dissatisfied by the events in his life, he meets and seduces several different women in his business travels--Russian official Anya, German domestic Ilse, and American cabaret singer Ginnie. As Littlechap’s fortunes increase, he still finds himself unable to find any personal satisfaction. Every time life gets too much, Littlechap breaks the fourth wall by declaring to the audience: “Stop the World--I Want to Get Off!” Eventually the truth appears before him as he realizes that what he always had—the love of his wife— was all he really wanted from his life. However, this realization comes too late and Evie dies before Littlechap can make rectify his mistakes. Through writing his memoirs, Littlechap finally comes to terms with his own failings. He watches his daughter, Jane, give birth to a son but when the boy nearly dies, Littlechap asks Death to take him instead of the child. To conclude his symbolic journey through life, Littlechap mimes his own birth, and the cycle begins once again
Show Information
- Book
- Leslie Bricusse , Anthony Newley
- Music
- Leslie Bricusse , Anthony Newley
- Lyrics
- Leslie Bricusse , Anthony Newley
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1961
- Genres
- Comedy, Parody
- Time & Place
- england, 1960s
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- Small
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- Small Cast, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
*The A.B.C. Song - Ensemble
*I Want to Be Rich - Littlechap, Ensemble
Typically English - Evie
A Special Announcement - Ensemble
Lumbered - Littlechap
Welcome to Sludgepool - Ensemble
Gonna Build a Mountain - Littlechap, Ensemble
Glorious Russian - Evie
*Meilinki, Meilchick - Littlechap, Evie
Family Fugue - Littlechap, Evie, Jane, Susan
Typische Deutsche - Evie, Ensemble
*Nag! Nag! Nag! - Littlechap, Evie, Jane, Susan, Ensemble
Act Two
All-American - Evie
Once in a Lifetime - Littlechap
*Mumbo Jumbo - Littlechap
*Welcome to Sunvale - Ensemble
Life Is A Woman - Evie
Someone Nice Like You - Littlechap, Evie
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
Scenes
Key Terms
The first dominant alternative to popular realist dramas from the end of the nineteenth century through the mid-twentieth century.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher