Half A Sixpence' is considered one of the most iconic and enduring British musicals of the 20th Century. The musical adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel 'Kipps' featured music and lyrics by David Heneker and book by Beverley Cross and opened at London's Cambridge Theatre in March 1963 starring Tommy Steele as Arthur Kipps. On March 21st 1962 (exactly one year before the show opened in the West End) the studio demo recordings for 'Kipps' (the then working title for the show) were recorded at London's Olympic Studios. Featuring on the demo recordings were Tommy Steele, Rita Williams, Roy Sone (Tommy Steele's understudy in the Original London production), Joanna Rigby and writers David Heneker and Beverley Cross. Backed by the Kenny Powell Trio, the studio demos effectively capture the magic of David Heneker's classic score and feature many of the stand out numbers from the musical including 'If The Rain's Got To Fall', 'Money To Burn' and 'Half A Sixpence'. The recordings also highlight several songs which would later be cut from the show and provide a fascinating insight into the development of the musical.
2 Mr. Shalford's Drapery Emporium - Rita Williams, Joanna Rigby
3 All in the Cause of Economy - Tommy Steele, Beverley Cross, David Heneker, Rita Williams Singers
4 Half a Sixpence - Roy Sone, David Heneker
5 We Don't Like Not to Be Engaged - Rita Williams, Joanna Rigby
6 If You Dress Like Mr. Pearce - Rita Williams, Joanna Rigby
7 Pure Coincidence - Beverley Cross
8 Money to Burn - Tommy Steele, Rita Williams Singers
9 The Oak and the Ash - Joanna Rigby, Rita Williams Singers
10 She's Too Far Above Me - Tommy Steele
11 I'm Not Talking to You - Rita Williams, Beverley Cross
12 If the Rain's Got to Fall - Tommy Steele, Rita Williams Singers
13 The Old Military Canal - Rita Williams Singers
14 The One Who's Got Away - Tommy Steele, Beverley Cross
15 Long Ago - Rita Williams
16 How Fashionable and Amusing - Rita Williams Singers
17 I'll Build a Palace / I Only Want a Little House - Tommy Steele, Rita Williams, Roy Sone, Rita Williams Singers
18 How Fashionable and Amusing - David Heneker
19 I Don't Believe a Word of It - David Heneker
20 Flash, Bang, Wallop! - Paul Rich
21 Long Ago - Leoni Page
22 Half a Sixpence - Paul Rich, Leoni Page
23 She's Too Far Above Me - Paul Rich
24 If the Rain's Got to Fall - Paul Rich
25 Beverley Cross Narrates 'Half a Sixpence'
Half A Sixpence' is considered one of the most iconic and enduring British musicals of the 20th Century. The musical adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel 'Kipps' featured music and lyrics by David Heneker and book by Beverley Cross and opened at London's Cambridge Theatre in March 1963 starring Tommy Steele as Arthur Kipps. On March 21st 1962 (exactly one year before the show opened in the West End) the studio demo recordings for 'Kipps' (the then working title for the show) were recorded at London's Olympic Studios. Featuring on the demo recordings were Tommy Steele, Rita Williams, Roy Sone (Tommy Steele's understudy in the Original London production), Joanna Rigby and writers David Heneker and Beverley Cross. Backed by the Kenny Powell Trio, the studio demos effectively capture the magic of David Heneker's classic score and feature many of the stand out numbers from the musical including 'If The Rain's Got To Fall', 'Money To Burn' and 'Half A Sixpence'. The recordings also highlight several songs which would later be cut from the show and provide a fascinating insight into the development of the musical.
![Half A Sixpence: Original Demo Recordings [Import]](https://aentcdn.azureedge.net/graphics/items/sdimages/a/300/3/0/2/9/3709203.jpg?ae=2565720150)
