Half A Sixpence

Half A Sixpence - Mitchell Theatre, 26 - 30 October, 1999 We were delighted to present Half A Sixpence as our 1999 production. This was a marvelous show featuring loads of full chorus numbers a rousing score and story that ranged from almost slapstick comedy to bitter sweet romance. This rarely performed show was very popular with our audience. The show broke even with ticket sales at around 80% of capacity. THE STORY Arthur Kipps, an orphan now aged twenty, is an apprentice shop assistance in Mr Shalford's Drapery Emporium, one of the most fashionable shops in Folkestone. Ann Pornick, Sid's sister, is Kipps' childhood sweetheart, but they don't have much opportunity to spend time together. To make up for this, Kipps gives Ann a token of his love - half a sixpence - so that Ann can be reminded of him when they're apart. One day in the shop, Kipps literally bumps into an excitable actor called Chitterlow, who informs Kipps that he is about to inherit a large legacy. Kipps leaves Ann, thinking that he is bettering himself, for Helen Walsingham, a young lady from a privileged family. Helen's brother takes over Kipps' financial affairs and Helen sets about improving Kipps. Some time later, Kipps meets Ann again when she is employed as a servant at the home of Mrs Botting, a friend of Helen's mother. On seeing Ann being treated badly by her employer, Kipps realises that he is surrounded by people whose attitudes and values are very different to his own. Knowing that it is Ann that he really loves, he cancels his engagement to Helen and marries Ann. Kipps is still rather careless with his money and decides to have a large house built. Unfortunately, Helen's brother has speculated with Kipps' money with disastrous results. He has to sell the house and just has enough left to rent a bookshop with accommodation for him and Ann. A year later they have started a family, and are relatively content with their new modest lifestyle. That is until Chitterlow returns unexpectedly one day with some surprising news… The score includes "All in the cause of economy"; "Half a sixpence"; "Money to burn"; "If the rain’s got to fall"; "Flash, Bang,Wallop!" & "I know what I am".

Cast List

The cast of our 1999 production of Half A Sixpence (in order of appearance) was as follows:

Arthur Kipps Sid Pornick Buggins Pearce Carshot Flo Bates Kate Victoria Emma Edwin Shalford Mrs. Walsingham Mrs. Botting Ann Pornick Helen Walsingham Yound Walsingham Harry Chitterlow Laura Edith / Gwendolin Mr. Jones Special Guest Appearance: EDWIN the cat	Cameron Lowe Jim Munro Alan Orr Doug McFarlane Wilson Paterson Snr. Moira McLeod Diane Stewart Heather Smith Claire McMurray Les Hooper Shona McAuley Dorothy Bedford Suzanne Lowe Norma Fingland Stuart Forrester Wilson Paterson Charlotte Hesford Sharon Osdin Drew Montgomery JEROME

Or click HERE to see some original cast photos!

Production Team

The production team of our 1999production of Half A Sixpence was as follows:

Artistic Director Musical Director Choreographer Rehearsal Pianist Stage Director Stage Manager Properties Wardrobe Prompt	Iain Fraser Julie Ballantyne Amanda Letarte Janice Raeside Ian Purves Alastair Wylie Eleanor Wilkins Rhona Skea Christine Hooper Agnes Dalrymple

Professional Services

Our thanks to the following companies who provided services for this production:

Set Costume	Border Studio, Selkirk Midland Costume, Crew

Show Programme

Click the links below to see excerpts from the Show Programme:

Production Team
Principal Cast
Supporting Cast
Dancers and Full Company

If you have any photos from this production please email them to cammy@uktheatre.net