Archive Home -> Work -> musical

The Beautiful Game


Archive :: production:T1112837038, musical:S335655298, venue:V385
Current :: venue:V385
The Beautiful GameBELFAST, 1969. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton's new musical is the story of ordinary people in an extraordinary situation. As the sixties draw to a close, life is just beginning for a group of teenagers. Amongst them are Father O'Donnel's football team including Del and John who both have enough talent to make it big. Their girlfriends, Mary and Christine are dreaming about what to do with their lives and worrying about the way their world is changing. Yearning for a time when they can live and love in peace, they all learn that to escape from bigotry and intolerance will take all the courage they can muster. Winner of Critics' Circle Award 2000 for Best Musical.
Book by Ben Elton
Lyrics Ben Elton
Music Andrew Lloyd Webber

Production details


News etc

News: Phantom on film
19May00:
USER: Supanet (08Aug01)
It's rare that a musical tackles such a serious and controversial issue, and its a refreshing change. The voices are fantastic and Ben Eltons's score extremely sharp and incisive. The other terrific aspect of the production is the on-stage evolution of the leading character's personalities. Well written and composed, superby sung and acted, and wonderful choreography, make this a must see.
USER: Travelocity (20Jun01)
The worst I've ever seen I left in the interval
User (11Jan01)
Trivial lyrics in an unconvincing show
Evening Standard (11Jan01)
Ben Elton tells the story with humour and compassion and his lyrics are both funny and heartbreaking. Andrew Lloyd Webber's evocative new score combines heart searing ballads and stirring anthems with the sounds of Ireland. This powerful and passionate musical is a joyous celebration of the freedom that love can bring.
runfold house (11Jan01)
has a really nice song!
Independent (11Jan01)
text review
Sunday Times (11Jan01)
This is Andrew Lloyd Webber's best musical. It has a real life-or-death subject: the beginning of the Troubles in Ulster, and how they blighted the lives of a generation of football-playing youngsters. [Ben Elton]'s book and lyrics have a bitter edge and a biting humour.
User (11Jan01)
Very moving piece with beautiful music and excellent performers. It must be seen!!!

Company

Director Robert Carsen
Choreographer Meryl Tankard
Design Michael Levine
Lighting Jean Kalman
Costume Joan Bergin
Sound Martin Levan
Director Kennedy Aitchison (music)
Music Andrew Lloyd Webber (orchestration)
Music David Cullen (orchestration)
Producer The Really Useful Company
Performer Jamie Golding (Daniel)
Performer Michael Shaeffer (Thomas)
Performer Alex Sharpe (Bernadette)
Performer Hannah Waddingham (Christine)
Performer Josie Walker (Mary)
Performer Jenna Boyd
Performer Shonagh Daly
Performer Ben Heathcote
Performer Michele Hooper
Performer Simon Humphrey
Performer David Lyons
Performer Grant Murphy
Performer Diane Pilkington
Performer Greta Rochford
Performer Andrew Spillet
Performer Alessandro Splendore
Performer Paul Tarling
Performer Frank Grimes (Father O'Donnell)
Performer Dale Meeds (Ginger)
Performer David Shannon (John)
Performer Ben Goddard (Del)
Performer Jonathan Ball
Performer Michael Bernardin
Performer Keith Bookman
Performer Sally Bourne
Performer James Bowden
Performer Kevin Cregan
Performer Nic Greenshields
Performer Mark Hilton
Performer Christopher Key
Performer Kelly O'Leary
Performer Hannah Tollman
Cookies in Use