Production History

1965
2005 Sydmonton/Mermaid Theatre
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Original Book by Leslie Thomas
2005 Book by Tim Rice


"We had two years of really believing
the show was going to be a hit.
And although it wasn't good enough,
there were certainly other shows that weren't
any better that had at least got on."

Tim Rice commenting on
The Likes Of Us, November 1993



In The Beginning...

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber first met through Desmond Elliot, the head of Arlington Books, in April of 1965. It was Elliot's suggestion that they use Victorian philanthropist Dr. Barnardo as the subject for their first musical. One of Elliot's other clients, Leslie Thomas, was to work on the show's book. Titled The Likes Of Us, the show began to take shape as Tim and Andrew started work on their first song together for an auctioneer, "Going Going Gone."
Programme and CD © 2007 JJB.

By January of 1966, the plan was that the The Likes Of Us would open at Oxford where Andrew was technically still enrolled as a student although currently on a sabbatical / leave of absence. Oxford was quickly discarded, however, in favour of a proper West End opening. Prior to the West End premiere, the show was to be tried out in Dublin in the Fall of 1968.

Despite these ambitious plans, none of these performances ever happened and The Likes Of Us was not performed in front of any audiences. A demo of the show was recorded by Southern Music, and later in 1967 Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber privately recorded a second demo disc, but nothing was ever commercially released.

Never Forgotten

Perhaps The Likes Of Us never sunk into total obscurity simply because it was the first collaboration between Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Described as rather Oliver!-esque, it is best known for the much-quoted lyric: "Here I have a lovely parrot sound in wind and limb / I can guarantee that there is nothing wrong with him".

The Likes Of Us resurfaced briefly in May 2002 at The Night Of 1,000 Voices concert in honour of Tim Rice when "Strange And Lovely Song", one of the main ballads for Dr. Barnardo, was performed.

Finally : The First Staging

To mark its 40th anniversary, The Likes Of Us finally received its first staged presentation at Andrew Lloyd Webber's annual Sydmonton Festival on 9 July 2005. Although otherwise remaining mainly in its 1965 state, the show was given a new book by Tim Rice, fuller orchestrations, and a new song for the character Syrie titled "This Is My Time". The Likes Of Us was directed by Christopher Luscombe, under the musical direction of Simon Lee, and featured musical staging by Jenny Arnold. The orchestrations were by David Cullen and Chris Walker, as conceived by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Gillian Lynne staged and choreographed the "Have Another Cup Of Tea" number with the aid of her assistant, Christine Cartwright. Set design was by Janet Bird, sound design by Mick Potter, and the lighting design was by Alistair Grant. The principal cast included:

Narrator
--
Stephen Fry Barnardo
--
Adam Brazier
Syrie
--
Sally Ann Triplett Johnny
--
Ian Sharp
Jenny
--
Nancy Sullivan Auctioneer
--
Tim Rice

The Likes Of Us had its first public performance on Tuesday, 12 July 2005 at the Mermaid Theatre. Presented by Paul Gambaccini, the performance was taped by BBC Radio 2. Originally scheduled to be broadcast on 30 September 2005, The Likes Of Us was broadcast by Radio 2 on 21 October 2005. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber were interviewed about The Likes Of Us as part of the BBC Radio 4 Front Row show which was broadcast on 20 October 2005.

A double CD of the 2005 performance was released on 7 November 2005. The CD was released in America by Decca Broadway 28 March 2006.

On 1 July 2008, it was announced that the performance rights for amateur productions of The Likes Of Us would be available through the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) (in partnership with the Really Useful Group). The licenses were issued beginning on 1 September 2008.

The first amateur production was put on by children's theatre group Kids R Us in Cornwall. It was directed by the group's co-founder Phil Barnett. The gala night performance on 15 January 2009 at the St. Ives Theatre was attended by Tim Rice. The production played through 25 January 2009.

A portion of the proceeds from the amateur productions of The Likes Of Us through 2010 will be donated to the Barnardo Children's Charity.

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