 Michael Bermingham Barnardo |
The Likes Of Us was the first collaboration between Sir Tim Rice and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber following their meeting in 1965 when both were college students. Tim Rice had great ambitions of fame as a pop singer or songwriter, and Andrew Lloyd Webber aimed at becoming the next Richard Rogers.
Set in mid-Victorian London, The Likes Of Us portrays this story through great melodies and rousing choruses. It takes us on an imaginary journey through East End slums, tenement rooftops and the Houses of Parliament. Barnardo was a fiery, young medical student who gave up his plans to be a missionary in China when he realised the extent of the desperate homelessness of many children in his own city. This led to the foundation of the famous children’s homes and the organisation that bears his name today.
This first show attracted a reasonable amount of interest from music publishers. Leslie Thomas, author of the popular novel The Virgin Soldiers and a former Barnardo boy, was persuaded to write the book for the musical.
For two totally unknown and inexperienced writers, this was no mean achievement. A glittering first night in the West End never came near to happening, despite the tunefulness of the score and the skills of Leslie Thomas. The show was continually being changed and rewritten, to little avail, which meant that, when they eventually threw in the towel, no final book had ever been settled upon.
In 2005, forty years later, The Likes Of Us was performed and recorded in a semi staged format at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sydmonton Festival and included a newly written linking narrative. The show was received with enormous enthusiasm and then released in 2008 for a number of amateur productions.
Birr Stage Guild begins its new season with the Irish Premiere of The Likes Of Us.
Tuesday 24 - Saturday 28th March €18 (conc €16 - Tue only) Patrons Gala Night: Sat 28th €45 - 8pm Booking at: Birr Theatre & Arts Centre - 057 9122911, Monday - Friday 1pm - 5.30pm
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 Aileen Quaid - Rosie |
 Yvonne O'Toole - Syrie |
 Colm Bourke - The Auctioneer |
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 Rohan Coughlan - Johnny |
 Audrey O'Meara - Jenny |
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 Tommy Lyndon - The Narrator |
 Tony Dalton - Lord Shrewsbury |
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 Darren Franks |
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