Half a Sixpence Musical to be shown on Sky Arts later this month

On December 29th at 6.30pm Sky Arts are presenting Kipps (the alternate name for the revival) - a programme about the reinvention of the musical Half a Sixpence  featuring a filmed performance of the show

The latest stage version of Half a Sixpence  transferred to London’s West End following a successful run at Chichester Festival Theatre, and  is a completely new adaptation reuniting book-writer Julian Fellowes (of Downton Abbey fame) with George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. It has  a score  featuring several of composer David Heneker’s songs from the original production, including ‘Flash Bang Wallop’, ‘Money To Burn’ and ‘Half A Sixpence’.

It tells the story of Arthur Kipps, an orphan and over-worked draper’s assistant at the turn of the last century, who unexpectedly inherits a fortune that propels him into high society. His childhood companion, Ann Pornick, watches with dismay as Arthur is made over in a new image by the beautiful and classy Helen Walsingham. Both young women undoubtedly love Arthur – but which of them should 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. 

Half a Sixpence stars Olivier Award nominee Charlie Stemp as Arthur Kipps, Devon-Elise Johnson as Ann Pornick, Ian Bartholomew as Chitterlow and Emma Williams as Helen Walsingham.