Little Women - Hope Mill Theatre / Park Theatre London

[stevej678]

Tickets are now on sale for Little Women at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. It's running from 9th November to 9th December 2017.

'Little Women', a timeless and captivating story, is brought to life in this glorious musical for the first time in the UK at the Hope Mill Theatre. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s critically acclaimed book and with a stunning score by Grammy Award winner Jason Howland (composer 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical') 'Little Women' follows the adventures of the four March sisters – Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy.

Jo, the eldest daughter and an aspiring writer, receives yet another rejection from a publisher. Her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells Jo she can do better by making her stories more personal. Begrudgingly, Jo weaves the story of how she and her sisters grew up in Civil War America – a tale of self discovery, heartache, hope and everlasting love.

Although never before seen in the UK, ‘Little Women‘, with music by Grammy Award winner Jason Howland (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), has been produced internationally after opening on Broadway in 2005 starring Sutton Foster as Jo.

Perfect for all of the family, the classic story and stunning music embody the complete theatrical experience, guaranteeing a night filled with laughter, tears and a lifting of the spirit.

More info at hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/little-women/.

[princeton]

Such an odd press release.

This may be the UK professional premier - but it's simply not true to say that it's "never before seen in the UK" - the Royal Academy of Music musical theatre course did it as one of their end of year shows in 2014 (with choreography by Drew McOnie) and there may have been amateur productions around the UK. And Jason Howland isn't really the composer of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical - he's the musical supervisor and did additional musical arrangements. I know that press release, and web copy, is all about getting bums on seats - but factually accuracy wouldn't go amiss.

[Deleted]

Aug 31, 2017 14:03:54 GMT princeton said:

Such an odd press release.

This may be the UK professional premier - but it's simply not true to say that it's "never before seen in the UK" - the Royal Academy of Music musical theatre course did it as one of their end of year shows in 2014 (with choreography by Drew McOnie) and there may have been amateur productions around the UK. And Jason Howland isn't really the composer of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical - he's the musical supervisor and did additional musical arrangements. I know that press release, and web copy, is all about getting bums on seats - but factually accuracy wouldn't go amiss.

Its crazy. Everyones up to it at the moment. Blame it on the era of 'Fake News' I guess. The press release for 'The Band' claimed it was the fastest selling show in musical theatre history or something overtly bold like that. Shameless.

[princeton]

I guess in a world where the National Theatre site proclaims that "Tracie Bennett, Janie Dee and Imelda Staunton play the magnificent Follies" we have to just accept that accuracy and theatre websites don't go hand in hand!!

[Deleted]

Aug 31, 2017 14:27:56 GMT princeton said:

I guess in a world where the National Theatre site proclaims that "Tracie Bennett, Janie Dee and Imelda Staunton play the magnificent Follies" we have to just accept that accuracy and theatre websites don't go hand in hand!!

There's nothing wrong with that one. I doubt there are many who would be expecting the Ziegfeld Follies (who's name isn't mentioned anyway).

[theatreian]

Here's a clip of the amazing Louise Dearman singing Astonishing from Little Women. Its from her last album but this was recorded when she was Josh Groban's guest on his tour. Its not my clip and the sound quality dips a bit but stick with it

[BurlyBeaR]

[Deleted]

BurlyBeaR thanks for posting the artwork. Initially on seeing it I was quite confused, feeling it looked quite dated and restrictive, then realised I was confusing Little Women for Little Voice in my head!

[ali973]

Is this the "Astonishing" version or the other one written by the British composer? I recall there was a newer version written by a Brit that was workshopped a few years ago.

[alison]

If it's Jason Howland it's the Astonishing version, and I'm sorely tempted. Debating over whether I can justify a day trip to Manchester during the school term.

[orchestrator]

Aug 31, 2017 14:03:54 GMT princeton said:

This may be the UK professional premier - but it's simply not true to say that it's "never before seen in the UK" - the Royal Academy of Music musical theatre course did it as one of their end of year shows in 2014 (with choreography by Drew McOnie) and there may have been amateur productions around the UK.

It was done at RADA about 10 years ago.

[princeton]

So quite some distance from being never seen in the UK!

Aug 31, 2017 15:13:09 GMT @cardinalpirelli said:

There's nothing wrong with that one. I doubt there are many who would be expecting the Ziegfeld Follies (who's name isn't mentioned anyway).

Wrong thread I know so apologies - but surely the Follies are the annual shows produced by Weismann not the 'girls' who appeared in them - therefore Tracie Bennett, Janie Dee and Imelda Staunton can't actually "play the magnificent Follies" they can play the Weismann girls or the Follies girls or the stars of the Follies but not the Follies themselves. Splitting hairs perhaps - but increasingly theatre web copy seems to be written by people who don't really bother with facts - or understanding the piece they are writing about.

Now back to Little Women......

[westendcub]

I saw this year at Bridewell theatre!!

Lovely little musical!!

[lena01]

Little Women is a novel by American author Louisa May Alcott, which was originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869. Alcott wrote the books rapidly over several months at the request of her publisher.

[showgirl]

Manchester members, a question please: I keep hearing/reading good stuff about this venue, but the website doesn't seem to give any travel details unless I've missed them. I know it's in the Ancoats area; presumably it's accessible by bus/tram/train, or at least one of those?

[stevej678]

Oct 23, 2017 20:17:38 GMT showgirl said:

Manchester members, a question please: I keep hearing/reading good stuff about this venue, but the website doesn't seem to give any travel details unless I've missed them. I know it's in the Ancoats area; presumably it's accessible by bus/tram/train, or at least one of those?

Holt Town on the Metrolink is just a minute or two's walk away. It's walkable from Piccadilly too in around 15 minutes or so.

[BurlyBeaR]

Hi showgirl yes it’s one stop on the tram from Piccadilly station then a 5 minute walk. I know you’re a keen walker but I don’t think I’d recommend walking it from Piccadilly at night, it would probs be ok in the afternoon though. It’s not that it’s a bad area, it’s just in a bit of an odd place. Not much around it. If you decide go and would like more specific info just give me a shout.

[meso77]

New Islington tram stop is also a couple of minutes walk away. I usually just walk from Victoria takes about  25-30 mins.

[showgirl]

Thank you all for the info and apols for going slightly off-topic. And BurlyBear, thank you for the warning, though I'd book a matinee. In my student days I used to walk all round Manchester and Salford, including Hulme (which I think was regarded as a bit dodgy at the time), but never to/through this area and everything will have changed so much anyway, so I'm grateful to you and everyone else for all the local gen.

[BurlyBeaR]

Anyone going?

I’ve booked for next week. I’ve never read the book or seen the film so no idea what it’s about. Is it really sad?

[stevej678]

Nov 9, 2017 18:06:11 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Anyone going?

I’ve booked for next week. I’ve never read the book or seen the film so no idea what it’s about. Is it really sad?

Going on Saturday 18th. Looking forward to the announcement about the first three in-house productions for 2018 next week!

[BurlyBeaR]

Nov 9, 2017 18:22:26 GMT stevej678 said:

Nov 9, 2017 18:06:11 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Anyone going?

I’ve booked for next week. I’ve never read the book or seen the film so no idea what it’s about. Is it really sad?

Going on Saturday 18th. Looking forward to the announcement about the first three in-house productions for 2018 next week!

Their planned production of The Station Master was dropped from this years programme in favour of Pippin. I wonder if that’s back in for next year? 

[justafan]

I was at the first Preview tonight and thought it was excellent - beautifully sung by an impressive cast. For a first preview I thought it was faultless - the production fitted perfectly into the intimate space. I reckon it has ‘transfer’ written all over it.

No idea of Cast as I didn’t get a programme

[showgirl]

Going Sat 25 - no choice re date as it had to be when OH and I were making a flying (well, courtesy of Virgin Trains) trip to Manchester. Looking forward to a new show AND a new venue!

[hulmeman]

Manchester meet up anyone??