
AWAKING BEAUTY
Music by Denis King - Book and Lyrics by Alan Ayckbourn
Publisher: Samuel French Ltd
Music Publisher: Eaton Music
Awaking Beauty marked Alan's fourth collaboration with the composer Denis King and the first musical Alan has written aimed specifically at adults - and the first of Alan's plays to carry a 'not suitable for young children' warning, largely due to its themes and infrequent language, rather than anything offensive. The plot, a sequel to Sleeping Beauty, subverts the genre to see fairy tale characters relocated to suburbia whilst taking a poke at the beauty industry and the perception of beauty. A slightly extended rehearsal period enabled Denis King and musical director Jonathan Williams to work with the cast on the complex harmonies of the piece. Awaking Beauty was the final Alan Ayckbourn play to open at the theatre while Alan was Artistic Director of the company.
Simon Murgatroyd www.alanayckbourn.net
PERFORMANCES
Premiere: 16 December, 2008 Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
Director: Alan Ayckbourn
Design: Michael Holt
Lighting: Jason Taylor
Choregrapher: Sheila Carter
Vocal/Piano Arrangements: Denis King
Musical Director: Jonathan Williams
CAST (5M, 5W)
Anna Francolini, Duncan Patrick, Alice Fearn, Ben Fox, Verity Quade, Annalene Beechey, Helen French, Matthew White, Ian McLarnon, Jon-Paul Hevey.
MUSICAL NUMBERS
Click on any track name in blue to listen to the track, use the controls on the right hand side to play, pause and stop the audio.
OTHER MEDIA:
Original Cast live recording not for public sale. Contact us for further information.
KINGS’ COMMENTS



Fact of the Day
During the whole time he appeared onstage with Maureen Lipman in her one-woman (and one piano player) show "Re:Joyce", Denis screwed up only once.

Listening Post

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