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After Henry: the musical

by Simon Brett & Chris Summerfield



Musical Theatre: 'After Henry' by Simon Brett and Christopher Summerfield

Synopsis

This 'chamber' musical is based on Simon Brett’s radio and two times BAFTA Award nominee television series, ‘After Henry’. It's easy to stage with a small cast and can be performed either with an orchestra or just a keyboard. The casting requirements involve three elderly actors who provide the majority of the comedy. Add to this the often strained relationship between a mother, her mother, and her daughter who are unashamedly middle of the middle class.

Sarah France’s doctor husband Henry was killed in a car crash when she was in her early forties, a couple of years before the action begins. Her attempts to deal with widowhood are not helped by the nosiness and demands of her mother Eleanor, who lives in the basement flat in the house, or the emotional traumas and moodiness of her nineteen-year-old daughter Clare, who’s got the top-floor flat.

Sarah is kept sane by the work she does helping in a bookshop run by her gay friend Russell. He acts as both a sounding-board and emotional support for her.

The story of the musical involves potential romances for all three women. Clare is being messed around by a boy called Greg, but she hasn’t got the confidence to tell him to get lost. Eleanor and her much-patronised friend Vera Poling (who is rich and lives in a care home called The Sycamores) are meanwhile both competitively interested in a charming elderly man called Vernon (who may not turn out to be all that he seems). And even Sarah’s loneliness is offered a lifeline in the handsome shape of a widower called Chris Wellington.

Is it long enough after Henry for her to allow a new man into her life? All of these emotional complications are untangled in this bittersweet inter-generational family musical.

Characters

(3m, 4f, 1m/f) No Chorus.

  • Sarah - 40s
  • Clare - 19, Sarah’s daughter
  • Eleanor - 70s, Sarah’s mother
  • Russell - 50s
  • Vera Poling - 70s
  • Vernon - 70s
  • Chris Wellington - 40s
  • Delivery Boy/Girl - late teens

Songs (tap/click to open a player in a new window)

  1) After Henry Sarah
  2) Pig In The Middle Sarah, Eleanor & Clare
  3) Quietly Gay Russell
  4) The Daily Mail Vernon
  5) At The Sycamores Vera & Eleanor
  6) (Not) Wanting to Remember Sarah & Clare
  7) Valerie Brown on the Pension Counter’s Half-Sister Mary Eleanor, with Sarah
  8) Early Days Sarah
~~ Interval ~~  
  9) Sunday Lunch Sarah, Eleanor & Clare
10) My Private Map of the World Sarah & Russell
11) I’m All Right Eleanor (with Sarah)
12) Oh, How You Fuss Eleanor (with Sarah)
13) (Not) Wanting to Remember, Short Reprise Clare
14) Strong Clare
15) Three To Tango Vernon, Eleanor & Vera
16) Too Soon Sarah
17) Early Days, Finale Reprise Sarah, Eleanor & Clare

Information for Production Administrators

Here's a list of all the supporting material available and some other information you might need. Pricing for the production materials is supplied automatically with a Perusal Set. Royalty pricing can only be provided as a formal quotation.

Available now (see below) ...
 
Perusal Set

These are available free of charge exclusively to bona fide representatives of organised musical theatre production organisations. The set is provided on a non-returnable USB Stick and contains...

 
  • Libretto (pdf)
  • Piano/Vocal Score (pdf)
  • Cast Recording (mp3s)
Available after Perusal ...
 
Libretti/Vocal Scores

Available to purchase as a Rehearsal Master Set on a USB Stick. This contains the script and piano vocal score for your cast and crew provided as A4 pdf files. No problem about possible loss of deposit on sets of rented books, as they are yours to print out and mark up as required. The price includes a multiple copying licence allowing you to copy the files on the Stick (enabling you to give or sell copies to your cast for them to make up their own rehearsal books) or to make multiple prints of the pdf's on the Stick for your production company to organise and provide to your cast or crew.

To order this, create an account with us, then go to the 'Order Rehearsal Material' page. Please note that we do not sell printed copies of the libretti, nor do we hire sets of printed rehearsal libretti or scores.

Available after Rights Obtained ...
 
Backing Tracks
For use in support of your rehearsal pianist, or for use during performances. To order this item, supplied as mp3 files on a USB Stick, create an account with us, then go to the 'Order Performance Material' page.
Orchestrations

These are available for a 10 piece band as below, for purchase by production companies only, who hold a valid, unexpired, licence to perform. To order this item, supplied as mp3 files on a USB Stick, create an account with us, then go to the 'Order Performance Material' page.

 
  • Keyboard 1
  • Keyboard 2
  • Bass Guitar
  • Drums/Percussion
  • Violins 1 & 2
  • Viola
  • Cello
  • Flute
  • Clarinet
  • MD's Full Score
Royalty Type
Royalties for this title are 'variable fee, post paid', and will be calculated on a percentage of your box office income once your production has finished. See our pricing policy for details. We work on a quotation system for royalties, based on information you supply to us. Complete a printed application form or create account with us, and use the online version.

Video Licence

We have secured the rights to video productions of this title from the Authors, and we manage them on their behalf. Once a 'Licence To Perform' has been granted, and then on payment of a fee, we will be able to issue a 'Licence To Record'. There are some strings attached to this, but these are far outweighed by the benefits. To order this item, supplied as mp3 files on a USB Stick, create an account with us, then go to the 'Pay Video Royalties' page.

 
  • Record one or more live performances and mix down to a single video
  • Give or sell copies to your cast and crew
  • Sell copies to your audiences (take advance bookings on the night)


Order your free preview script or perusal material now ...

  • Perusal Set ('After Henry')
    £0.00 Perusal Set ('After Henry')
    PLEASE NOTE : We operate a FREE Perusal Service, and for this title we supply a USB stick, or a Dropbox Link, with pdf/mp3/mp4 files of the perusal material. Customers requesting this MUST be a representative of a...
  • Royalty Quotation Form (FL)
    Royalty Quotation Form (FL)
    The rights to perform and record for all the titles in our catalogue are managed by Stagescripts Ltd. You should not assume that a licence to perform will always be granted. Please request a quotation at the earliest...
  • Rehearsal Master Set ('After Henry')
    £89.99 Rehearsal Master Set ('After Henry')
    Rehearsal Master Sets (RMS) are available to purchase, once your production has been licensed. You will need the 5 digit licence reference number (see above). They are available on a USB Stick or as a Dropbox...
  • Backing Tracks (Performance, 'After Henry')
    £95.00 Backing Tracks (Performance, 'After Henry')
    Sets of Backing Tracks either on: USB Stick with mp3 files, or Dropbox, mp3 file download (e-mailed link) to use during performances (or rehearsals).  In order to purchase this item, you must be in...
  • Orchestrations ('After Henry')
    £105.99 Orchestrations ('After Henry')
    A set of Orchestrations (aka Band Parts) for your MD and orchestra, or pit band provided as A4 size pdf files on a USB Stick (or by Dropbox link). The 10 parts provided are:- Keys 1 & 2 Bass Guitar Drums/...