Just last week, I was fortunate enough to go to see a local production of ‘Kipps’ (the new Cameron Mackintosh ‘Half a Sixpence’ musical) at the Dundee Rep. The show ran from the 8th to 11th June and was performed by the Dundee Youth Music Theatre society (DYMT). Interestingly, the choreographer and one of the directors of the society, Kenny Christie, was one of our choreographers and directors when I was in Song Shop back in Montrose. Kenny’s also a talented performer himself as he appeared in the DYMT production of ‘Kipps’, ‘Annie’ with Song Shop and was mentioned back in my ‘Priscilla’ post about our trip to see ‘Priscilla’ in Dundee in 2017 as he appeared in that show as well. The link to the 'Priscilla' post is available here.
‘Kipps’ is the new ‘Half a Sixpence’ musical, with many songs from the original 1963 musical and the Tommy Steele film from 1967, which were based on the H.G. Wells novel called ‘Kipps’ from 1905. Many of the classic songs from the original musical were included in the ‘Kipps’ production in Dundee, such as ‘Flash, bang, wallop’, ‘If the rain’s got to fall’ and the appropriately titled ‘Half a sixpence’ . In fact, the team behind adapting ‘Half a Sixpence’ into the new ‘Kipps’ musical are actually the same team that adapted ‘Mary Poppins’ with Cameron Mackintosh.
This particular production of ‘Kipps’, which included a mostly local cast of children and young people of ages ranging from around 8-25, was a lot of fun and had a lot of heart and comedy. It also had some great dance numbers and choreography as well as a nice message about not forgetting or losing who you are and that money can’t buy happiness as the right people for you like you for who you are, not your status and how you’re perceived or how much money you have.
The costumes in the show were all really great and worked well with the early 20th century setting. Additionally, the story was well conveyed and expressed and the big chorus numbers and slower, more intimate songs and scenes all worked equally well. Hope you enjoyed it if you got a chance to see it and if not, the same society are putting on ‘Grease’ in Dundee in August if you’re around and looking for a great show.
