Music by Richard Rodgers, Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
SYNOPSIS AND CAST
Set in an amusement part on the coast of New England around 1873. The main attraction is Mrs Mullin’s carousel with its gaily painted horses and Billy Bigelow, its jack-the-lad barker, much admired by many of the local girls. Mrs. Mullin is jealous of the attention Billy gives to Julie Jordan there with her friend Carrie, and Mrs Mullins warns her to stay away. Billy catches the end of the warning and speaks his mind to Mrs Mullins who sacks him. When Billy returns and asks which one of them is going to spend the evening with him, Julie volunteers without hesitation but later she herself is sacked for being out after her employer’s curfew.
Julie and Billy are soon married but times are tough as neither of them has a job. He takes his frustration out on Julie and, one day, a one-sided row ends with his hitting her. Immediately the tale goes round town that Bigelow beats his wife. As for Carrie, she is still awaiting her wedding day and she and Enoch Snow pass the time in dreaming of their future together.
Billy has taken to hanging around with a known evildoer called jigger Craigin who has a plan to rob the mill owner of the payroll. He is tempted, but Mrs Mullin offers him his old job back but he must leave Julie first. When Billy goes to talk to Julie, she tells him she is pregnant which changes everything for Billy – he has a purpose and has to make money. He decides to take part in Jigger’s plan. They plan it for the night that the rest of the town is on the beach.
The robbery goes wrong, Jigger escapes but Billy is caught by Mr. Bascombe, the would-be victim, who vows to hand him over to the police with the prospect of a long prison term. Cornered, disgraced and terrified for Julie and their unborn child, Billy kills himself. Julie cradles Billy as he dies in her arms.
Fifteen years pass. Billy, escorted by a Heavenly Friend, arrives in the backyard of Heaven. Here he meets The Starkeeper, who informs him that he will never get into Heaven until he redeems himself. After some argument, Billy is given a chance. He is allowed to return to Earth for one day, during which he must perform one good deed. Billy gets a glimpse of Louise, his lonely and unhappy fifteen-year-old daughter, and he steals a star to give to her at their first meeting. Louise is shy and won’t accept his gift. Unable to reach her in any other way, Billy slaps his daughter – but the sting feels miraculously like a kiss to the girl. Louise explains this to her mother, Julie, who also sees the star that Billy has left behind and, and, instinctively, Julie understands
Billy has not yet performed his good deed, and the slap should have been the last straw. But Billy persuades the Starkeeper to give him one last chance. Later Billy is allowed to attend Louise’s graduation where he gives hope and optimism to his wife and daughter. He then ascends to Heaven.
Director: Robin Clifford
Musical Director: David Cresswell
Choreographer: Marilyn McPherson
CAST
| Carrie Pipperidge | Sharon Cook |
| Julie Jordan | Heidi Pegler |
| Mrs Mullin | Anne Crockford |
| Billy Biglow | John Langley |
| Policeman | Greg Shaw |
| Mr Bascombe | Chris Flint |
| Nettie Fowler | Yvette Cummings |
| Enoch Snow | Denzil Edwards |
| Jigger Craigin | Terry Donohoe |
| Captain | John Huckle |
| Heavenly Friend | Ben Norman |
| Starkeeper | Paul Sadler |
| Louise | Kerry Williams |
| Carnival Boy | Brian Picknett |
| Enoch snow Jr | Richard Beddingfield |
| Principal | Hamish Norbrook |
| Dr Seldon | Paul Sadler |
| CHORUS – Ladies | Gill Birchall, Cecile Bridgens, Heather Cardy, Jane Catton, Cindy Elson, Margaret Etches, Emma Gibbs, Claire Hargadon, Janet Huckle, Maryleine MacClelland, Eve Manhani, Mary Newton, Dominique Norbrook, Dianne Norbrook, Jocelyn Roullin, Penny Stone, Linda Sutch, Martha Woodcock |
| Gentlemen | Peter Bagwell, Wayne Byrom, Neil Catton, Ron Goldby, Geoff Greensmith, Hamish Norbrook, Greg Shaw |
| DANCERS | Vanessa Aves, Gayle Croker, Michelle Harkes, Julie Kronshaw, Tanya Lovett, Marilyn McPherson, Hazel Montgomery, Rosamund Payne |
| CHILDREN (Tues/Thurs/Sat evening) | Daniel Aiton, Ben Butterfield, Carmela Corbett, Kate Englefield, Nadia Essex, Claire Hislop, Pamela McKean, Heidi Wilman |
| (Wed/Fri/Sat matinee) | Gabby Bloor, Clare Doughty, Sarah Doughty, Owain Edwards, Katie Ladd, Helen Ladd, Marie Parsons, Erica Taylor |