Kipps! The New Half A Sixpence
KIPPS! THE NEW HALF A SIXPENCE
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the UK going into lockdown and theatre lights going out, we were very unfortunate that we were not able to perform Kipps! The New Half A Sixpence on the Harrogate Theatre Stage. We would like to thank all the cast and crew for all their hard work they had put towards rehearsals, producing the show and trying to save it as much as they could.
As a society, it was a very sad, heart breaking and difficult decision to make. Times like these though, has made us realise how important our HOPs family, friends and members are to us in our personal and theatre lives.
On the night what we were suppose to have our dress rehearsal, a handful of people teamed together to put on a virtual version of the show, this included the whole cast reading through the script, re watching rehearsal videos, enjoying rehearsal photos and Clare Pascall even drew and presented the whole set! The whole cast and crew gave it their all to make the show come alive through the comfort of their own homes and the power of Zoom, online video chat. It was a successful evening full of songs, laughter, reminising over the great memories we had made and even some tears of sadness.
Terry Harrison wrote up a virtual review for the show too which we are happy to share with you below.
THE REVIEWS ARE IN! 5 Stars!
“Flash Bang Wallop, stick it your top shows to watch”
HOPS opened their cancelled show last night to packed screens. It is safe to say there was talent in abundance something we have come to expect from this Stella society. Colourful sets and detailed costumes brought this entertaining performance to life along with Melanie James outstanding show photographs . The show opened with the endearing performance of the title song “half a sixpence” brought to life by the young Anns Molie & Elsa and young Kipps Oliver & Freddie. Rich Hawley new to HOPS played the rags to riches shop boy Arthur Kipps, he exicuted this demanding role with skill & charm performing multiple songs in an array of “contemporary costumes”. His sidekicks fellow apprentices Rob Hastings, Daniel Stanford, Harry Howells & Phoebe Haley brought a mix of slapstick comedy some scripted and some inevitable ad-libs as Kipps navigates his way through the love triangle he finds himself in with his childhood sweetheart Ann, Nina Logue who brought such venerability as she struggled to see his life take a direction she could not follow. The socialite Helen Walsingham Elisha Ainsley had captured Kipps heart her performance perfectly portrayed the difficult job she had done to mould him into a gentleman to satisfy her overbearing mother Christine Littlewood who was desperate to regain her status in society. Holding on to her notion of self importance by continually trying to impress her friend Lady Punnet Christine Castle following her late husbands misdemeanours, her son James Walsingham Simon Littlewood carried on his fathers work in bringing the family in to disrepute scamming Kipps out of the fortune he unexpectedly inherited. Chris Cowling played the loveable Chitterlow and provided one of the highlights of the show with his acapella renditions of his songs. There were so many great performances none less than the prompt! Who also appeared to fill in any gaps left by the cast the show was bright, colourful, & uplifting packed full with beautifully executed songs and lively dance routines, none less than the thigh slapping “flash bang wallop” featuring Gavin Mills who played the kamp photographer with an uncanny ease “it is safe to say that given the chance this show would have been a massive smash all down to the talent, dedication and love applied by everyone involved in the HOPS family” says Richard Lill HOPS chair who was bursting with pride and admiration. A special mention needs to go to the production team Stephen Graham for his outstanding props, Cathy Hellas for treating us to her dulcet tones in setting the seamless scenes , Lucy Thackwray who gave us an insightful and entertaining insight to back stage and Clare Pascall for the seamless coordination of the production.
Well done to everyone, you can catch HOPS next blockbuster, west end smash Kinky Boots in June 2021.