''Coram Boy'' is a play written by

Helen Edmundson Helen Edmundson (born 1964) is a British playwright, screenwriter and producer. She has won awards and critical acclaim both for her original writing and for her adaptations of various literary classics for the stage and screen. Early life E ...

with music composed by Adrian Sutton, based on the 2000 children's novel of the same name by

Jamila Gavin Jamila Gavin (born 9 August 1941) is a British writer born in Mussoorie in the United Provinces of India, in the present-day state of Uttarakhand in the Western Himalayas. She is known mainly for children's books, including several with Indian ...

, an epic adventure that concerns the theme of child cruelty. The play is called a "play with music", rather than a

musical Musical is the adjective of music. Musical may also refer to: * Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance * Musical film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the characters are interwo ...

Synopsis

The action takes place in the eighteenth century. The benevolent

Thomas Coram Captain Thomas Coram (c. 1668 – 29 March 1751) was an English sea captain and philanthropist who created the London Foundling Hospital in Lamb's Conduit Fields, Bloomsbury, to look after abandoned children on the streets of London. It is said ...

has recently opened a

Foundling Hospital The Foundling Hospital in London, England, was founded in 1739 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram. It was a children's home established for the "education and maintenance of exposed and deserted young children." The word " hospita ...

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

called the "Coram Hospital for Deserted Children". Unscrupulous men, known as "Coram men", take advantage of the situation by promising desperate mothers to take their unwanted children to the hospital for a fee. The story follows a range of characters, focusing on two orphans: Toby, saved from an African

slave ship Slave ships were large cargo ships specially built or converted from the 17th to the 19th century for transporting slaves. Such ships were also known as "Guineamen" because the trade involved human trafficking to and from the Guinea coast ...

; and Aaron, the deserted son of the heir to an estate, as their lives become closely involved with this true and tragic episode of British social history.

Productions

The show was first staged at the National Theatre in London from November 2005 until February 2006. It returned to the National Theatre from November 2006 to February 2007. The play then moved to

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

at the Imperial Theater, starting previews in April 2007, and officially opening for a month-long run in May 2007. The show was nominated for six

Tony Awards The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual c ...

but did not win any. Melly Still was the director and co-designer (with Ti Green) of both the London and New York productions with

Paule Constable Paule Constable is a British lighting designer. She won the 2005, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2020 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Lighting Design. She was also a nominee for four further productions and for a 2007 Tony Award on Broadway. In 2011 she won ...

designing lighting and Chris Schutt on sound. Still also directed the December 2011 production for

Bristol Old Vic Bristol Old Vic is a British theatre company based at the Theatre Royal, Bristol. The present company was established in 1946 as an offshoot of the Old Vic in London. It is associated with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, which became a f ...

at the

Colston Hall Bristol Beacon, previously known as Colston Hall, is a concert hall and Grade II listed building on Colston Street, Bristol, England. It is owned by Bristol City Council. Since 2011, management of the hall has been the direct responsibility of ...

and the production was designed by

Anna Fleischle Anna Fleischle is a theatre designer who has worked in theatre, dance and opera. In 2007 Fleischle designed ''Love and Money'' at the new Maria, Young Vic, which was nominated for an Olivier Award for outstanding achievement in an affiliate the ...

, with lighting by Bruno Poet, and sound by Schutt. Adrian Sutton composed the music for all four versions. Coram Boy is frequently produced in Britain by Universities, Drama schools and amateur groups. ;First London Cast (2005 - 2006): *Toby - Akiya Henry *Aaron / Alexander Ashbrook (young) -

Anna Madeley Anna Madeley (born 1 October 1976) is an English actress. She performed for three seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company and has appeared in three off-West End productions. She has starred in productions on each of the main British televisi ...

*Alexander Ashbrook (adult) -

Bertie Carvel Robert Hugh Carvel (born 6 September 1977) is a British actor. He has twice won a Laurence Olivier Award: for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his role as Miss Trunchbull in '' Matilda the Musical'', and for Best Actor in a Suppor ...

*Mrs. Lynch -

Ruth Gemmell Ruth Katrin Gemmell (born October 1967) is an English actress. She starred in the film ''Fever Pitch'' in 1997 which was followed by supporting roles in television series ''EastEnders'', '' Casualty'', '' Home Fires'' and '' Penny Dreadful.'' ...

*Molly - Chetna Pandya *Mrs. Hendry - Sharon Maharaj *Otis Gardiner -

Paul Ritter Simon Paul Adams (20 December 1966 – 5 April 2021), known professionally as Paul Ritter, was an English actor. He had roles in films including ''Son of Rambow'' (2007), ''Quantum of Solace'' (2008), ''Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'' ...

*Thomas Ledbury (adult) - Stuart McLoughlin *Thomas Claymore - Adam Shipway *Meshak - Jack Tarlton *Isobel Ashbrook - Kelly Williams *Edward Ashbrook -

Katherine Manners Katherine Manners is an English actress, screenwriter, and playwright. She is best known for her lead role as Vera Brittain in the 2008 BBC One teleivison documentary '' A Woman in Love and War: Vera Brittain'' and for portraying Jane Corby Wigh ...

*Miss Price - Inika Leigh Wright *Lord Ashbrook - William Scott Massive *

George Frideric Handel George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel (; baptised , ; 23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was a German-British Baroque music, Baroque composer well known for his opera#Baroque era, operas, oratorios, anthems, concerto grosso, concerti grossi, ...

- Nick Tizzard *Mrs. Milcote - Eve Matheson *Alice Ashbrook - Sophie Bould *Thomas Ledbury (young) - Abby Ford *Lady Ashbrook - Rebecca Johnson *Melissa / Angel - Justine Mitchell ;Second London Cast (2006 - 2007): *Toby - Debbie Korley *Aaron / Alexander Ashbrook (young) -

*Alexander Ashbrook (adult) -

*Mrs. Lynch -

*Molly - Deeivya Meir *Mrs. Hendry - Sharon Maharaj *Otis Gardiner - Tim McMullan *Thomas Ledbury (adult) - Stuart McLoughlin *Thomas Claymore - Adam Shipway *Meshak -

Al Weaver Alexander Paul Weaver (born 3 January 1981) is an English actor and writer, best known for his role as curate Leonard Finch in the ITV series ''Grantchester'' (2014-present). Background Weaver was born in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton ...

*Isobel Ashbrook - Kelly Williams *Edward Ashbrook - Hannah Storey *Miss Price - Inika Leigh Wright *Lord Ashbrook - William Scott Massive *George Frideric Handel - Nick Tizzard *Mrs. Milcote -

Clare Burt Clare Burt is an English actress and singer, best known for her stage work and for her appearance on the television series ''The Bill''. Biography As a child she attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School. Burt is a member of the National Theat ...

*Alice Ashbrook - Jenni Maitland *Thomas Ledbury (young) - Abby Ford *Lady Ashbrook - Rebecca Johnson *Melissa / Angel - Justine Mitchell ;Broadway Cast: *Toby -

Uzo Aduba Uzoamaka Nwanneka Aduba (; born February 10, 1981) is an American actress. She gained wide recognition for her role as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren on the Netflix original series ''Orange Is the New Black'' (2013–2019), for which she won an E ...

*Aaron / Alexander Ashbrook (young) - Xanthe Elbrick *Alexander Ashbrook (adult) -

Wayne Wilcox Wayne Alan Wilcox (born December 11, 1978) is an American actor and singer who is best known for his role of Marty on the TV show ''Gilmore Girls'' and his appearance in the film version of the musical ''Rent'' as Gordon, a member of Angel and T ...

*Mrs. Lynch - Jan Maxwell *Molly - Jolly Abraham *Mrs. Hendry — Jacqueline Antaramian *Otis Gardiner — Bill Camp *Thomas Ledbury (adult) -

Dashiell Eaves Dashiell Eaves is an American actor. He lives in New York City. Theater Eaves began his professional career in 1993 at age nineteen when he joined the original American cast of the Off-Broadway percussion show ''Stomp''. Three years later he ...

*Thomas Claymore — Tom Riis Farrell *Meshak — Brad Fleischer *Isobel Ashbrook -

Karron Graves Karron Graves is an American actress and teacher. She may be best known for playing Mary Warren in the 1996 screen adaptation of Arthur Miller’s ''The Crucible'', starring Daniel Day-Lewis. Personal life and education Graves was born in Jane ...

*Edward Ashbrook — Laura Heisler *Miss Price — Angela Lin *Lord Ashbrook — David Andrew Macdonald *George Frideric Handel — Quentin Maré *Mrs. Milcote — Kathleen McNenny *Alice Ashbrook -

Cristin Milioti Cristin Milioti (born August 16, 1985) is an American actress. She is known for playing Tracy McConnell in the CBS sitcom '' How I Met Your Mother'' from 2013 to 2014, and for her work in theater productions such as ''That Face'', ''Stunning'' ...

*Thomas Ledbury (young) - Charlotte Parry *Lady Ashbrook — Christina Rouner *Melissa / Angel — Ivy Vahanian ;Bristol - Colston Hall (Bristol Old Vic 2011): *Otis Gardiner — Tristan Sturrock *Meshak Gardiner — Fionn Gill *Alexander Ashbrook (young) - George Clark *Alexander Ashbrook (adult) - Freddie Hutchins *Melissa / Angel -

Emily Head Emily Head (born 15 December 1988) is an English actress. Her breakout role was as Carli D'Amato in E4's sitcom ''The Inbetweeners'' and she later played Rebecca White in the ITV soap opera ''Emmerdale'' and Colette Andrews in BBC drama, '' ...

/ Mabel Moll *Mrs. Lynch — Lucy Black *Lord Ashbrook -

Simon Shepherd Simon Stephen Shepherd (born 20 August 1956) is an English actor best known to TV audiences from many appearances, including as Dr Will Preston in eight series of ITV's ''Peak Practice'' and Doctor Jonathan Barling in ''Casualty''. Shepherd ...

*Lady Ashbrook — Saskia Portway *Isobel Ashbrook — Grace Carter / Florence Woolley *Alice Ashbrook — Esther Lawrence / Bethan Barke / Peggy Edwards *Edward Ashbrook — Tobey Barke / Cameron Fraser *Mrs. Hendry/Mrs. Milcote — Catherine Swingler *Thomas Claymore / George Frideric Handel — Joe Hall *Thomas Ledbury (young) - Johannes Moore / Max Macmillan *Dr Smith/Thomas Ledbury — Ed Birch *Aaron — Toby Yapp / Finn Lacey *Toby — Joe Sharpe *Miss Price — Anna Houghton The production also included a local cast of Coram children and a local ensemble.

Music

In the National Theatre and Broadway versions the music is performed by a 16-member onstage choir and a seven-piece chamber orchestra. In Bristol the orchestra was expanded to 20 musicians and the choir was joined at the end of act 2 by a local chorus of 40 performers. The music includes parts or adaptations of

Handel George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel (; baptised , ; 23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was a German-British Baroque composer well known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concertos. Handel received his training i ...

's ''Messiah'' and ''Theodora'', as well as over an hour of original music consisting of songs, period-style dance, and chamber music, as well as dramatic underscoring.Information about the music
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Awards and nominations

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual c ...

nominations (no wins): *Best Featured Actress in a Play ** Xanthe Elbrick **Jan Maxwell *Best Direction of a Play *Best Scenic Design of a Play *Best Costume Design of a Play *Best Lighting Design of a Play 2007

Theatre World Award The Theatre World Award is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or Off-Broadway. It was first awarded for the 1945–1946 theatre se ...

- Xanthe Elbrick (winner)

Drama Desk Award The Drama Desk Award is an annual prize recognizing excellence in New York theatre. First bestowed in 1955 as the Vernon Rice Award, the prize initially honored Off-Broadway productions, as well as Off-off-Broadway, and those in the vicinity. F ...

nominations for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: * Xanthe Elbrick *Jan Maxwell

Outer Critics Circle Award The Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on Broadway and Off-Broadway. They are presented by the Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of New York theater writers for out-of-town newsp ...

nominations (no wins): *Outstanding New Broadway Play *Outstanding Director of a Play (Lucille Lortel Award) *Outstanding Set Design (Ti Green & Melly Still) *Outstanding Lighting Design (Paule Constable) Olivier Award Nominations (no wins) Best new play (Helen Edmundson) Best performance in a supporting role (Paul Ritter) Best Director (Melly Still) Best Sound (Christopher Shutt)

References

External links

''Coram Boy'' on BroadwayInternet Broadway Database listingInformation about the rehearsal process
{{Messiah (Handel) Helen Edmundson Broadway plays Plays set in the 18th century Foundling Hospital