The Land of Might-Have-Been
A new musical inspired by Vera Brittain's early life
Songs by Ivor Novello
Book and lyrics by Michael Williams
Arrangements and additional compositions by Iain Farrington
Chamber orchestra of 14 players: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, piano, percussion (timpani, drum kit) violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, double bass
The Land of Might-Have-Been is built around the songs of Ivor Novello and tells a story loosely based on the lives of Vera and Edward Brittain before and during the First World War. The story follows Vera and Roland, and Edward and Bobbie who unexpectedly fall in love over a long, hot summer in Buxton in 1914. The war in Europe shatters all their hopes and dreams but compels Vera into a life-long campaign for peace and equality.
Ivor Novello's songs were some of the biggest hits of the day, and his musicals were a huge success in the UK. While the shows have almost completely disappeared from the modern stage, some of the songs have remained a niche part of the English popular song canon. Novello's tunes are often highly memorable and affecting, with songs that range from romantic and nostalgia, to lightly humorous and toe-tapping. The original recordings from the period are a wonderful archive, but also act as a reminder of how dated the songs can sound. True to the style of the times, the songs were often richly orchestrated with swooping strings, sentimental sighing phrases and cloying harmonies. In new arrangements, Novello's songs can speak freshly and directly to modern ears. For this show, all of the songs have been arranged for a medium-sized orchestra, with a sound that can accommodate Classical intimacy as well as bright early jazz. Some of the songs are subverted and given a new edge, while others have a greater purity closer to art song. They are also adapted to work for contemporary musical theatre singers as well as opera singers. Novello's musical genius is maintained, but hopefully given a new life, within this remarkable and touching story. Many of his most popular and greatest songs are included in the show, along with two new songs that I composed: Buxton Ragtime Band in a jazz swing style, and Letters in a post-Romantic idiom. All the incidental music and interludes are new work, often based on Novello's melodies.
A new musical inspired by Vera Brittain's early life
Songs by Ivor Novello
Book and lyrics by Michael Williams
Arrangements and additional compositions by Iain Farrington
Chamber orchestra of 14 players: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, piano, percussion (timpani, drum kit) violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, double bass
The Land of Might-Have-Been is built around the songs of Ivor Novello and tells a story loosely based on the lives of Vera and Edward Brittain before and during the First World War. The story follows Vera and Roland, and Edward and Bobbie who unexpectedly fall in love over a long, hot summer in Buxton in 1914. The war in Europe shatters all their hopes and dreams but compels Vera into a life-long campaign for peace and equality.
Ivor Novello's songs were some of the biggest hits of the day, and his musicals were a huge success in the UK. While the shows have almost completely disappeared from the modern stage, some of the songs have remained a niche part of the English popular song canon. Novello's tunes are often highly memorable and affecting, with songs that range from romantic and nostalgia, to lightly humorous and toe-tapping. The original recordings from the period are a wonderful archive, but also act as a reminder of how dated the songs can sound. True to the style of the times, the songs were often richly orchestrated with swooping strings, sentimental sighing phrases and cloying harmonies. In new arrangements, Novello's songs can speak freshly and directly to modern ears. For this show, all of the songs have been arranged for a medium-sized orchestra, with a sound that can accommodate Classical intimacy as well as bright early jazz. Some of the songs are subverted and given a new edge, while others have a greater purity closer to art song. They are also adapted to work for contemporary musical theatre singers as well as opera singers. Novello's musical genius is maintained, but hopefully given a new life, within this remarkable and touching story. Many of his most popular and greatest songs are included in the show, along with two new songs that I composed: Buxton Ragtime Band in a jazz swing style, and Letters in a post-Romantic idiom. All the incidental music and interludes are new work, often based on Novello's melodies.