Acorn Antiques The Musical
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''Acorn Antiques: The Musical!'' is a musical about an antiques dealer, based on the parodic soap opera of the same name by
Victoria Wood Victoria Wood (19 May 1953 – 20 April 2016) was an English comedian, actress, lyricist, singer, composer, pianist, screenwriter, producer and director. Wood wrote and starred in dozens of sketches, plays, musicals, films and sitcoms over se ...
. It premiered in the West End in 2005, and starred
Julie Walters Dame Julia Mary Walters (born 22 February 1950), known professionally as Julie Walters, is an English actress. She is the recipient of four British Academy Television Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two International Emmy Awards, a B ...
and
Celia Imrie Celia Diana Savile Imrie (born 15 July 1952) is an English actress and author. She was described in 2003 as one of the most successful British actresses of recent decades. She is best known for her film roles, including the '' Bridget Jones'' f ...
. The musical won the
Olivier Award The Laurence Olivier Awards, or simply the Olivier Awards, are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre in London at an annual ceremony in the capital. The awards were originally known a ...
for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical and was nominated as Best New Musical.


Concept and production

Victoria Wood decided to revive the original concept to satirise musical theatre with ''Acorn Antiques: The Musical!'', with the intent to give people a "lovely, happy night in the theatre.". It was directed by
Trevor Nunn Sir Trevor Robert Nunn (born 14 January 1940) is a British theatre director. He has been the Artistic Director for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and, currently, the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. He has directed dramas ...
, and opened at the
Theatre Royal, Haymarket The Theatre Royal Haymarket (also known as Haymarket Theatre or the Little Theatre) is a West End theatre on Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use. Samuel Foot ...
in February 2005 for a three-month sell-out run. Parodying successful musicals such as ''
Les Misérables ''Les Misérables'' ( , ) is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. In the English-speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its origin ...
'' and ''
Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...
'', it also caricatured the trend for socio-realism in contemporary drama and the conventions of song and choreography in musicals.


Casting

The musical featured three of the principal actors from the original reprising their roles:
Celia Imrie Celia Diana Savile Imrie (born 15 July 1952) is an English actress and author. She was described in 2003 as one of the most successful British actresses of recent decades. She is best known for her film roles, including the '' Bridget Jones'' f ...
as Miss Babs, Duncan Preston as Mr Clifford, and
Julie Walters Dame Julia Mary Walters (born 22 February 1950), known professionally as Julie Walters, is an English actress. She is the recipient of four British Academy Television Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two International Emmy Awards, a B ...
as Mrs Overall. Wood understudied the latter role, appearing on Monday nights and Wednesday matinees, in order to relieve pressure on Walters while preventing disappointment for audiences. Wood's original character, Miss Berta, was played during workshops by
Janie Dee Janie Dee (born 20 June 1962) is an English actress and singer. She won the Olivier Award for Best Actress, Evening Standard Award and Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Play, and in New York the Obie and Theatre World Award ...
; when Dee was unavailable for the West End run, she was replaced by
Sally Ann Triplett Sally Ann Triplett (born 15 April 1962, London, England) is a British singer and actress. She participated in two editions of the Eurovision Song Contest and West End productions. Career Triplett first represented the United Kingdom in the E ...
. The musical also introduced Miss Bonnie (
Josie Lawrence Josie Lawrence (born Wendy Lawrence; 6 June 1959) is an English actress and comedian. She is best known for her work with the Comedy Store Players improvisational troupe, the television series '' Whose Line Is It Anyway?'' and as Manda Best in ...
), a sister of Miss Babs and Miss Berta (in the original series, Berta and Babs were cousins). The musical marked the end of an era in which Walters, Imrie, and Preston appeared in nearly all of Wood's productions; Wood's biographer, Jasper Rees, later noted that "Victoria could no longer simply click her fingers and summon the gang". As Wood developed the musical, Imrie "didn't think it was a good idea and old herso"; Preston was supportive, but sceptical that it would come to fruition. Although Walters subsequently reprised the role of Bo Beaumont in '' Victoria Wood's Mid Life Christmas'', neither Imrie nor Preston worked with Wood again. Preston commented of the experience, "There was an unspoken agreement that this was sort of it."


DVD release

In 2005, a performance with the original cast was filmed; it was released on DVD on 13 March 2006. Special features include featurettes which showed Victoria Wood playing the role of Mrs Overall on the nights that Julie Walters did not appear.


Plot

The plot revolves around the original (fictional) actors reprising their roles from stage. Contrary to their wishes, the experimental director adapts it into a gritty commentary on British suburban life, although the cast, led by Bo Beaumont (
Julie Walters Dame Julia Mary Walters (born 22 February 1950), known professionally as Julie Walters, is an English actress. She is the recipient of four British Academy Television Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two International Emmy Awards, a B ...
), want a fun piece with a good tap number. After a disastrous open dress rehearsal, the cast hijack the concept to return it to its original roots, and take it to the West End, funded by Bo Beaumont's lottery win. The second act is the musical within the musical, and is much more like the original series. Miss Babs (
Celia Imrie Celia Diana Savile Imrie (born 15 July 1952) is an English actress and author. She was described in 2003 as one of the most successful British actresses of recent decades. She is best known for her film roles, including the '' Bridget Jones'' f ...
) and Miss Berta (
Sally Ann Triplett Sally Ann Triplett (born 15 April 1962, London, England) is a British singer and actress. She participated in two editions of the Eurovision Song Contest and West End productions. Career Triplett first represented the United Kingdom in the E ...
) run Acorn Antiques, aided by their employees and friends, Mrs Overall ( Walters) and Mr Clifford ( Duncan Preston). Soon, they discover a third sister, Miss Bonnie (
Josie Lawrence Josie Lawrence (born Wendy Lawrence; 6 June 1959) is an English actress and comedian. She is best known for her work with the Comedy Store Players improvisational troupe, the television series '' Whose Line Is It Anyway?'' and as Manda Best in ...
), who is initially scheming and devious (for instance, she fires Mrs Overall, even after finding out she's her mother). The plot unfolds, the sisters are faced with financial woes, and family secrets. The show ends with the triumphant return of Mrs Overall, a windfall, and the union of Miss Berta and Mr Clifford.


Reception

The musical received mixed reviews. Mark Shenton of the ''
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
'' criticised the show for extending a sketch into a three-hour-long musical, but mentioned that
Julie Walters Dame Julia Mary Walters (born 22 February 1950), known professionally as Julie Walters, is an English actress. She is the recipient of four British Academy Television Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two International Emmy Awards, a B ...
was "inimitable" and to see her "shuffling onto the stage as the perpetually stooped and crumpled Mrs Overall – tea tray in hand with macaroons at the ready – is enough to induce guffaws of recognition." Like Shenton, Philip Fisher of ''The British Theatre Guide'' lamented the record-breaking high levels of ticket price (up to £65), but lauded the performances and enthusiasm of the project. A Teletext review voiced the opinion that the plot lacked depth, and that it wasn't a great theatrical performance. ''
The Stage ''The Stage'' is a British weekly newspaper and website covering the entertainment industry and particularly theatre. It was founded in 1880. It contains news, reviews, opinion, features, and recruitment advertising, mainly directed at those wh ...
'' said that it would have been better if
Victoria Wood Victoria Wood (19 May 1953 – 20 April 2016) was an English comedian, actress, lyricist, singer, composer, pianist, screenwriter, producer and director. Wood wrote and starred in dozens of sketches, plays, musicals, films and sitcoms over se ...
had drafted in aid with the musical, and also stated that it really starts at the beginning of the second act (see ''Revival''), but that it contained "enough entertainment and wit to keep the faithful happy", and said that "the second half begins, to the palpable delight of the audience, with the show they have come to see – with missed cues, fluffed lines and preposterous plots gloriously intact". However, it played to full houses, and was nominated for ''Best New Musical'', ''Best Actress in a Musical'' (
Julie Walters Dame Julia Mary Walters (born 22 February 1950), known professionally as Julie Walters, is an English actress. She is the recipient of four British Academy Television Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two International Emmy Awards, a B ...
) and ''Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical'' (
Celia Imrie Celia Diana Savile Imrie (born 15 July 1952) is an English actress and author. She was described in 2003 as one of the most successful British actresses of recent decades. She is best known for her film roles, including the '' Bridget Jones'' f ...
) at the Laurence Olivier Awards, and won ''Best Supporting Actress''. The original series and the musical were released on DVD in the UK in January 2005 and March 2006 respectively. A routine from the show closed the 2005 BAFTA tribute to
Victoria Wood Victoria Wood (19 May 1953 – 20 April 2016) was an English comedian, actress, lyricist, singer, composer, pianist, screenwriter, producer and director. Wood wrote and starred in dozens of sketches, plays, musicals, films and sitcoms over se ...
; however, in 2007 she said that creating the musical was a "bad idea" as it harmed her credentials as a serious playwright.


Revival

In early 2006 it was announced that the musical would be revived and tour the UK during the winter season. It was revealed that Victoria Wood would direct the touring production and an all-new cast will be put together, led by Ria Jones as Mrs Overall. In order to cut down on the play's lengthy running time, Wood eliminated the original first act, incorporating the number "Tip Top Tap" into an expanded second act. The tour version of the show received fairly positive reviews, with the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
calling it "a lot of fun". In 2010 Phil McIntyre Entertainments gave permission for the first amateur production of the musical to be performed by non-professional actors in the UK.


Original West End cast and crew

Credits adapted from official website, DVD credits, and program.


Cast

*Jenna Boyd – Hatcheck Girl / Mimi *Gareth Bryn – Steve / Hugh R Kettlewell *Lorraine Chappell – Suzy / Papergirl / Young Mrs Overall / Evelyn *Danielle Coombe – Sally / Miss Wellbelove / Debra *Paul Grunert – Vic / Mr Watkins *Shaun Henson – Ginger / Shopkeeper *
Celia Imrie Celia Diana Savile Imrie (born 15 July 1952) is an English actress and author. She was described in 2003 as one of the most successful British actresses of recent decades. She is best known for her film roles, including the '' Bridget Jones'' f ...
– Miss Babs *
Josie Lawrence Josie Lawrence (born Wendy Lawrence; 6 June 1959) is an English actress and comedian. She is best known for her work with the Comedy Store Players improvisational troupe, the television series '' Whose Line Is It Anyway?'' and as Manda Best in ...
– Donna / Miss Bonnie * Sydney Livingstone – Ken / Mr Minchin *Jill Martin – Lynne / Christine * Neil Morrissey – John / Tony *Hilary O'Neil – Mavis / Bev * Duncan Preston – Mr Clifford *Carl Sanderson – Brian / Mr Furlong *Myra Sands – Barbara / Miss Willoughby *David Shaw Parker – Tom / Robert Stillman / Derek *Nicola Sloane – Pip / Miss Cuff *John Stacey – Alan / Postman *
Sally Ann Triplett Sally Ann Triplett (born 15 April 1962, London, England) is a British singer and actress. She participated in two editions of the Eurovision Song Contest and West End productions. Career Triplett first represented the United Kingdom in the E ...
– Miss Berta *
Julie Walters Dame Julia Mary Walters (born 22 February 1950), known professionally as Julie Walters, is an English actress. She is the recipient of four British Academy Television Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two International Emmy Awards, a B ...
– Bo Beaumont / Mrs Overall *
Victoria Wood Victoria Wood (19 May 1953 – 20 April 2016) was an English comedian, actress, lyricist, singer, composer, pianist, screenwriter, producer and director. Wood wrote and starred in dozens of sketches, plays, musicals, films and sitcoms over se ...
– Bo Beaumont / Mrs Overall (understudy)


Crew

*Lez Brotherston – Set design *Stephen Brimson Lewis – Costume design *Alistair Grant – Lighting design *Paul Groothuis – Sound design *Chris Walker – Orchestration *Pippa Ailion – Casting director *Gareth Valentine – Music supervisor, dance arrangements *Stephen Mear – Choreographer *Victoria Wood – Writer (book, music and lyrics) *
Trevor Nunn Sir Trevor Robert Nunn (born 14 January 1940) is a British theatre director. He has been the Artistic Director for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and, currently, the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. He has directed dramas ...
– Director


Songs


Original production (London)

Because no official soundtrack has ever been released, neither has an official song list. Therefore, all songs are included in order, but most titles are unconfirmed. ;Act I *Middle Class Show – ''Ensemble'' *Residents' Parking – ''Miss Babs, Mrs Overall, Miss Berta and Ensemble'' *Café Continental – ''Mrs Overall and Ensemble'' *Mine Alone (intro) – ''Mr Clifford'' *Mine Alone – ''Mr Clifford, Alan, Sally'' *Tip Top TapRees, pp. 384–385. – ''Mrs Overall and Ensemble'' *Tip Top Tap (reprise) – ''Mrs Overall and Ensemble'' ;Act II *Manchesterford – ''Ensemble'' *Acorn Antiques – ''Miss Babs, Miss Berta, Hugh, Mimi'' *Macaroons! – ''Mrs Overall'' *Please Stay Here – ''Miss Bonnie, Miss Babs, Miss Berta'' *We're on Our Way – ''Miss Babs, Miss Berta, Miss Bonnie, Hugh, Mimi'' *Remind HimRees, p. 387. – ''Miss Berta'' *D.E.B.T. – ''Tony, Deb, Evelyn, Bev'' *Manchesterford (reprise) – ''Mrs Overall'' *Back on Top – ''Miss Berta, Hugh, Mimi'' *I Am Going Out to Find Her – ''Miss Bonnie and Ensemble'' *Have You Met Miss Babs? – ''Miss Babs'' *Oh! Oh! Oh! Mrs O! – ''Ensemble'' *Macaroons! (reprise) – ''Mrs Overall and Ensemble'' *We're on Our Way (reprise) – ''Ensemble''


Revised version (Tour)

;Act I *Manchesterford – ''Company'' *Acorn Antiques – ''Babs, Berta, Hugh, Mimi'' *Macaroons! – ''Mrs Overall'' *Clifford's Anthem – ''Clifford'' *Please Stay Here – ''Bonnie, Berta, Babs, Clifford and Ensemble'' *We're on Our Way – ''Berta, Babs, Bonnie, Clifford, Hugh, Mimi'' *Have You Met Miss Babs? – ''Babs'' *Remind Him – ''Berta'' *Tip Top Tap – ''Berta, Babs, Bonnie and Ensemble'' ;Act II *The Old Small Print – ''Tony, Deb, Evelyn, Bev, Bonnie'' *Mrs Overall's Farewell – ''Mrs Overall'' *Remind Her – ''Clifford'' *Shagarama! – ''Bonnie, Berta, Babs and Ensemble'' *Gents' Duet – ''Derek, Mr Watkins'' *Once in a Lifetime – ''Bonnie and Ensemble'' *Oh! Oh! Oh! Mrs O! – ''Ensemble'' *Macaroons! (reprise) – ''Mrs Overall and Ensemble'' *Finale – ''Ensemble''


Awards and nominations


References


External links


Official website
(archived from the original) *

at This Is Theatre (archived from the original)
''Acorn Antiques'' review
at WhatsOnStage.com (archived from the original) {{Victoria Wood 2005 musicals Laurence Olivier Award-winning musicals Musicals based on television series Musicals set in England West End musicals Works by Victoria Wood