Kipps : Half A Sixpence – Manor Musical Theatre Co.
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
Tuesday 6th May 2025
By : Nigel Gambles
Photography by : Studio 55 Photography
To set the scene I have only ever seen the movie of Half A Sixpence with Tommy Steele and Julia Foster and that was quite a time ago so I had no idea what to expect. What I saw was absolutely brilliant and I loved every minute singing along to the well known numbers all be it to myself as I did not want to clear the building.
“Kipps” is a revised version of the musical Half a Sixpence, with a Book written by Julian Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame. The story follows the misadventures of the hapless Arthur Kipps, a working class lad whose happiness at coming into money is quickly eroded at the hands of a bunch of grasping aristocrats. Will Arthur be true to his new love, the well-to-do Helen, or return to childhood sweetheart Ann who suddenly re-enters his life? The answer to that question probably won’t surprise many, but we certainly had a great time getting there! Roughly one third romance, one third fish out of water tale, and one third social commentary, the show is enlivened by a series of toe-tapping musical numbers that will be familiar to anyone who’s seen the famous Tommy Steele musical.
Arthur Kipps is played by Jamie Wilson. This is his first lead role for Manor but a number of you may remember him from previous productions, The Sound of Music and Anything Goes are just a couple. Jamie brings the down to earth feel of Tommy Steels Kipps to the part along with his excellent dancing and strong singing voice, it is not a role for the faint hearted as Kipps is barely off stage. I dont think it will be long before we see this young man in a major national show.
Ann Pornick, Arthur’s childhood sweetheart is played by Eliza Tall. The chemistry between Jamie and Eliza is perfect and matures really nicely when they meet up again several years later. Eliza’s voice is such a gorgeous instrument, especially highlighted in Ann’s solo, “Long Ago”.
Juliet Fisher plays the other corner of the love triangle, Helen Walsingham. Helen is one of those characters who you do feel a little sorry for because if it were not for her mother, maybe Helen and Arthur might have had a good shot at marriage, because Helen and Arthur really do want just a small house to live and be happy in. Helen is educated, classy and beautiful and glides around a room more than merely walks. Juliet is obviously perfectly cast.
Mrs Walsingham is Helen’s domineering mother, fussy, tiresome, full of self importance and a snob. She is however, played wonderfully by Lynette Coffey.
James Walsingham, Helen’s brother, is a somewhat corrupt financial advisor. He is seemingly the more favoured offspring of Mrs Walsingham and is played by Tom Wells. Tom also doubles as the brilliantly camp photographer in the massively fun scene at Arthur’s wedding where we get to experience “Flash, Bang Wallop”
Well as all the principals sang and danced (and they were all superb), for me the heart and soul of this show was in the performance of the ensemble. What a delight they were – exuberant, tuneful and extremely well-rehearsed (what must have been hours and hours of effort shone through on stage.) Choreographer Izzie Larkin produced three or four absolute showstoppers, all delivered with real heart and conviction by the entire cast, it was great to see absolutely everyone giving it both barrels, the dancing extending right to the back of the group. I particularly enjoyed the denizens of the pub reprising ‘Money to Burn’ and espousing ‘The Joy of the Theatre’, whilst the ‘Flash Bang Wallop’ finale was a triumph of timing that would not look out of place on a West End stage.
Finally, credit to Musical Director Chris Arnold for expertly marshalling an eleven-piece Orchestra, and to Directors Pam & James Garrington, who kept the action flowing very effectively.
