Carlton Operatic Society bring Kipps: The New Half A Sixpence Musical to the Theatre Royal

Award-winning Carlton Operatic Society present Kipps – The New Half a Sixpence Musical – a fresh, fun and energetic romp set against the backdrop of a seaside town at the turn of the twentieth century.

In a heart-warming story of money, class and love, we meet Arthur Kipps, an orphan and over-worked draper’s assistant at Shalford’s Bazaar in Folkestone in the early 1900s. He is a charming but ordinary young man who, along with his fellow apprentices, dreams of a better and more fulfilling life. When he unexpectedly inherits a fortune that propels him into high society, it confuses everything he thought he knew. Will Kipps remember his roots and discover where his heart truly lies?

Watching from a distance, as Arthur wrestles with his new found fortune and life, is his childhood friend Ann Pornick, who sees with sadness how he is being made over in a new image by the money-grabbing Mrs Walsingham and her son James.

Mrs Walsingham’s daughter, Helen is trying to escape the bounds of her conventional upper-class existence and begins to form a bond with Arthur ‘despite’ his working-class background. When a chance meeting with Ann Pornick reminds Arthur of happy memories and simpler times, it causes Arthur to reflect.

Both Helen and Anne love Arthur and both offer their advice, but just who will he listen to? With the help of his friends, Arthur learns that if you want to have the chance of living the right life you need to make the right choices.

Along with delivering classic numbers from the original stage show, Kipps – The New Half a Sixpence Musical revisits H.G. Wells’ semi-autobiographical novel Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul, reinventing the musical Half A Sixpence for our times. 

This updated version reunites book writer Julian Fellowes with George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, the musical team that co-creator Cameron Mackintosh first put together to create the smash-hit stage adaptation of Mary Poppins with Disney.

The result is a joyful, exuberant, and fun-filled musical comedy full of much-loved numbers such as the riotous ‘Flash Bang Wallop’ and ‘Half a Sixpence’. A timeless, yet contemporary classic perfect for all the family and guaranteed to get your toes tapping and dancing all the way home.

Kipps comes to Theatre Royal 28 May – 1 June. Tickets are £17.50 to £30.50 with discounts available for members, under 26s, over 60s, students, family tickets and groups of 10+. Book now.

Kipps: The New Half a Sixpence Musical, Image credit Theatre Royal