Theatre Breaks to see Half A Sixpence
Half A Sixpence Theatre Breaks were available to book at the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s Theatreland, with Half A Sixpence ticket and hotel packages on sale for performances through to September 2017.
Take a look!
Half A Sixpence is a light-hearted musical comedy – you must have seen the film starring Tommy Steele – about a simple soul, Arthur Kipps, out to make the best of life.
As an apprentice drapper in 1920s Folkstone, Kipps is introduced to the demour, aristocratic Miss Walsingham with whom he instantly falls in love, but knows as a working class man she would never consider him as an eligable suitor. His luck changes when he inherits a surprise fortune and his dreams start to come true as he begins to live the high-life of a gentleman and wins the heart of Miss Walsingham. But can money make Arthur truly happy without hurting those he closest to?
This stage version is produced by Chichester Festival Theatre and Cameron Mackintosh with a book by Oscar-wining screenwriter, Julian Fellowes (who also wrote the book for School of Rock at the New London theatre).
George Stiles and Anthony Drewe join Fellowes to complete the musical trio that also created the hit stage show Mary Poppins and soon-to-be-seen The Wind in the Willows.
Songs from the film include ‘Flash Bang Wallop’, ‘Money To Burn’ and ‘Half A Sixpence’ but there is tonnes more to enjoy. None more so than the critically acclaimed performance of Charlie Stemp, as Arthur Kipps, who is outstanding! Twenty-two year old Stemp has previously appeared in the West End in the musical Wicked and has been on an international tour of Abba musical Mamma Mia with co-star Devon-Elise Johnson.
Trivia question : There are now two characters called Arthur Kipps in London’s West End at the moment. Can you name the other show in which Arthur Kipps appears? (Answer at the bottom of the page)
Hotels for Half A Sixpence Theatre Breaks
The Noel Coward Theatre is on St Martin’s Lane so hotels close by include the Guoman Charing Cross on the Strand and the Radisson Blu Mercer Street by Seven Dials. Both are 4 star deluxe hotels and ideal for a spot of pampering.
The Strand Palace hotel is within walking distance too and, after extensive refurbishment a couple of years ago has gone from a three to a four star. However, for a central hotel its prices are still relatively cheap. Of course, if you are looking for a real bargain then you can’t go far wrong than choosing the Travelodge Covent Garden slap bang in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Soho. The accommodation is basic three star with no frills, but what a location!
The theatre is close to Leicester Square tube station so you could also look at staying in Bloomsbury which is only a couple of stops away (or a 20 minute walk) and does offer some more great deals: the 4 star Hotel Russell or the 3 star ‘tourist’ hotels the National or the President are usually substantially cheaper than a West End hotel would be!
Show File
Genre : Musical
Theatre : Noel Coward, St Martins Lane, London WC2N 4AU
Performance times: Monday to Saturday at 19:30; and Wednesday & Saturday at 14:30
Opened : 17th November 2016
Booking to: 02 September 2017
Nearest tube station: Leicester Square on Piccadilly & Northern Lines
Nearest hotels: Guoman Charing Cross, Radisson Blu Mercer Street, Travelodge Covent Garden
Trivia answer : Woman in Black at the Fortune theatre
Half A Sixpence Theatre Breaks Reviews
Want to write your own review?
I really enjoyed seeing Half A Sixpence at the Noel Coward Theatre in London. I saw it in a matinee afternoon performance on Wednesday 25th January 2017. I sat in the Stalls which were downstairs in the Noel Coward Theatre.
It was my first time to that theatre and also my fourteenth time in London I got some merchendise before the show including the programme and the Live London Cast Recording CD.
I got a great view of the show.
I liked the announcement before the show by Chitterlow about the use of cameras and video recorders.
The sets for the show were amazing including the revolving stage and the use of rain at the end of Act 1. The music for the show was fantastic including the Overture at the start of Act 1, the Entr'Acte at the start of Act 2 and the Curtain Call and the Playout at the end of Act 2 and the show and also the orchestra playing above the stage were great.
The songs in the show were amazing and my favourites were Half A Sixpence (including the reprise), Look Alive, Money To Burn (including the reprise), She's Too Far Above Me, A Proper Gentleman, Long Ago (including the reprise), The Joy of the Theatre or Back The Right Horse, Just A Few Little Things, A Little Touch of Happiness, If The Rain's Got to Fall, The One Who's Run Away, Pick Out A Simple Tune, In The Middle There's Me and Flash Bang Wallop (including the reprise).
The creative team on the show including Cameron Mackintosh, Julian Fellowes, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe are brilliant.
The cast in the show were fantastic including Charlie Stemp as Arthur Kipps, Devon-Elise Johnson as Ann Pornick, Emma Williams as Helen Walsingham and Ian Bartholomew as Chitterlow and they were all brilliant especially Charlie Stemp as Arthur Kimps and he was amazing and fantastic and gave an outstanding performance.
I give Half A Sixpence 10/10 and it's now my favourite musical and show that I have seen in London's West End.
Half A Sixpence should get a filmed performance for either Cinema, DVD and Blu-Ray release.
I have to start by saying this is great show and the man who makes the show great is Charlie Stemp. A relative new-comer to the stage only having been out of drama school for a year or so, this young actor with "elastic" legs and a great voice to boot brings a fantastic energy to Half a Sixpence and is as sparkling in the role of Arthur Kipps as Mr Tommy Steele.
Praise must also go to his co-stars Devon-Elise Johnson and Bethany Huckle who sing a beautiful duet together called "A Little Touch of Happiness" at the end of the first half. Their voices totally compliment each other.
Really good upbeat show which is suitable for all the family. This theatre-goer highly recommends!
A joyous show - perfect for taking my mum to: needless to say, she loved it - the tunes, the dancing, the humour - even the rather saucy "end-of-the-pier" humour! The guy that plays Kipps is amazing - he must be knackered by the end of it - although when we saw him come out of the stage door at the end of the show he looked as fresh as a daisy!
A super evening's entertainment - thank you!
