Daddy Long Legs musical at London's new St James Theatre

[bob8rich]

Just announced on The Stage that the Paul Gordon/John Caird musical Daddy Long Legs will open at the St James Theatre (London's newest theatre,located in Victoria) on October 31.

This is the most exciting musical theatre news of the year IMO! I've heard songs from the score and they're brilliant. I LOVE Paul Gordon's work - in fact I have honestly never heard a Paul Gordon song I have not loved - wonderful scores for the musicals Emma & Lucky Break, etc, and his Jane Eyre score is simply stunning.

Some highlights from the production of Daddy Long Legs at the Rubicon theatre in Ventura, California here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqLJtIb9RLI&feature=player_embedded

[TBFL]

I have 2009 cast recording and its definitely a show i'll be booking for. Thanks for the heads up!

[peggyb2]

News like this almost makes up for Viva Forever.Wasn't there a rather sweet black and white film of the same name?

[bob8rich]

There was indeed a B&W Daddy Long Legs movie with Fred Astaire & Leslie Caron and songs by Johnnny Mercer. Both the movie and this new stage show are based on the novel by Jean Webster

[alterego]

I was about to mention that bob8rich. The DADDY LONG LEGS film musical you mention started life as a London stage musical called LOVE FROM JUDY. I believe it played the Palace Theatre in the early 1950's. A very young Barbara Windsor appeared in it.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Barbra Windsor was indeed in the chorus of the London production that played the Saville theatre in London from 1951 , she then toured the UK with it for 2 years.

Also in the London cast was another newcomer, June Whitfield!

The London cast recording was rereleased on CD a few years back.

[bob8rich]

LOVE FROM JUDY was yet another musical adaptation of Jean Webster's novel - with a score by Hugh Martin (Meet Me At St Louis) and Timothy Gray - which premiered in London in 1952 (3 years before the Johnny Mercer scored film Daddy Long Legs). It finally got its New York premiere in 2003 in a concert staging in the Musicals Tonight series.

Both the Martin/Gray and Mercer scores are lovely. But I think that Gordon's new score is by far the strongest.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

[rockyhorrorfan]

Does anyone know the date of the final performance. I know the show following it starts on 12th December. If it finishes on 8th December I could catch it on 5th December. If it's before then I won't get to see it.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

See thread about opening of the new theatre.

8th Dec!

[rockyhorrorfan]

Thanks!

[FrontRowDress]

Saw this yesterday and adored it, one for incurable romantics everywhere. A two hander with a beauutiful score that really remninded me of Howard Goodall's Love Story it also has the two young leads who created the roles in the original US production who are incredible. It's only on for a few weeks, but definitely one to catch while you can. As usual I've rambled extensively on my blog.
Daddy Long Lega

[bob8rich]

Seeing this on Friday Dec 7 - can't wait! Love every song I've ever heard of Paul Gordon's. Hope this show achieves the success his writing deserevs.

Had problems booking a ticket via the theatre website though - but emailed the box office and the lady who replied was really lovely and VERY helpful in making sure I got the seat I needed. Better service than most West End theatres!

[Phantom of London]

I saw this, this evening and is a quite enjoyable piece of theatre.

[DeNada]

Just adding to the general chorus of approval on Daddy Long Legs, which I saw last night. It may be a little "on one level" - the score, while lovely, is a little repetitive at times, and the story is fairly slight - but when it's performed and staged so beautifully it's really not an issue.

The St James is a very smart venue, isn't it? The high rake in the auditorium really gives good sightlines everywhere.