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Coram Boy (play)
Encyclopedia
Coram Boy is a play written by Helen Edmundson
with music composed by Adrian Sutton, based on the 2000 children's novel of the same name
by Jamila Gavin
, an epic adventure that concerns the theme of child cruelty. The play is called a "play with music", rather than a musical
.
The benevolent Thomas Coram has recently opened a Foundling Hospital
in London
called the "Coram Hospital for Deserted Children". Unscrupulous men, known as "Coram men", take advantage of the situation by promising desperate mothers to take their unwanted children to the hospital for a fee. The story follows a range of characters, focusing on two orphans: Toby, saved from an African slave ship
; and Aaron, the deserted son of the heir to an estate, as their lives become closely involved with this true and tragic episode of British social history.
The show was first staged at the National Theatre
in London from November 2005 until February 4, 2006. It returned to the National Theatre from November 2006 to February 2007.
The play then moved to Broadway
at the Imperial Theater, starting previews on April 16, 2007, and officially opening on May 2, 2007. It closed on May 27, 2007 after only 30 performances and 17 previews. The show was nominated for six Tony Awards but did not win any.
Melly Still was the director and co-designer (with Ti Green) of both the London and New York productions.
1st London Cast (2005 - 2006):
2nd London Cast (2006 - 2007):
Broadway Cast:
's Messiah and Theodora, as well as over an hour of original music consisting of songs, period-style dance, and chamber music, as well as dramatic underscoring.
nominations (no wins):
2007 Theatre World Award
- Xanthe Elbrick
(winner)
Drama Desk Award
nominations for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play:
Outer Critics Circle Award
nominations (no wins):
Consequently, the production transferred to the Pleasance Theatre in London in April 2011.
Helen Edmundson
Helen Edmundson is a British playwright particularly well-known for her adaptations of various literary classics for the stage.Edmundson's first play Flying was produced at the National Theatre Studio in 1990...
with music composed by Adrian Sutton, based on the 2000 children's novel of the same name
Coram Boy
Coram Boy is a very successful children's novel by Jamila Gavin. Published in 2000, it won Gavin a Whitbread Children's Book Award. The story follows a wide range of characters, from the rich Alexander Ashbrook to Toby, a young boy saved from an African slave ship, as their lives become closely...
by Jamila Gavin
Jamila Gavin
Jamila Gavin is a British writer born in Mussoorie, India in the foothills of the Himalayas.Her father was Indian and her mother English...
, an epic adventure that concerns the theme of child cruelty. The play is called a "play with music", rather than a musical
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
.
Synopsis
The action takes place in 18th century.The benevolent Thomas Coram has recently opened a Foundling Hospital
Foundling Hospital
The Foundling Hospital in London, England was founded in 1741 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram. It was a children's home established for the "education and maintenance of exposed and deserted young children." The word "hospital" was used in a more general sense than it is today, simply...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
called the "Coram Hospital for Deserted Children". Unscrupulous men, known as "Coram men", take advantage of the situation by promising desperate mothers to take their unwanted children to the hospital for a fee. The story follows a range of characters, focusing on two orphans: Toby, saved from an African slave ship
Slave ship
Slave ships were large cargo ships specially converted for the purpose of transporting slaves, especially newly purchased African slaves to Americas....
; and Aaron, the deserted son of the heir to an estate, as their lives become closely involved with this true and tragic episode of British social history.
Productions
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
in London from November 2005 until February 4, 2006. It returned to the National Theatre from November 2006 to February 2007.
The play then moved to Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
at the Imperial Theater, starting previews on April 16, 2007, and officially opening on May 2, 2007. It closed on May 27, 2007 after only 30 performances and 17 previews. The show was nominated for six Tony Awards but did not win any.
Melly Still was the director and co-designer (with Ti Green) of both the London and New York productions.
1st London Cast (2005 - 2006):
- Toby -- Akiya Henry
- Alexander/Aaron (young) -- Anna MadeleyAnna MadeleyAnna Madeley is a British actress. She has been described by the British Theatre Guide's Philip Fisher as one of the United Kingdom's "brightest and most versatile young actresses".-Biography:...
- Alexander Ashbrook (adult) -- Bertie CarvelBertie CarvelBertie Carvel is a British actor.He received a first from Sussex University in English, and graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2003.-Theatre:...
- Mrs. Lynch -- Ruth GemmellRuth Gemmell-Early life:Ruth Gemmell was born in Darlington, Durham, England. She has three brothers. She attended an all girls school in Darlington called Polam Hall.Her parents divorced when she was a child and she moved with her mother to Darlington from Barnard Castle....
- Molly -- Chetna Pandya
- Mrs. Hendry -- Sharon Maharaj
- Otis Gardiner -- Paul RitterPaul RitterPaul Ritter was a Western Australian architect, town planner, sociologist, artist and author. He was born in Prague in 1925, the son of Carl Ritter and Elsa née Schnabel. He died on 14 June 2010, aged 85....
- Thomas Ledbury (adult) -- Stuart McLaughlin
- Thomas Claymore -- Adam Shipway
- Meshak -- Jack Tarlton
- Isobel Ashbrook -- Kelly WilliamsKelly WilliamsKelly Williams is a Filipino-American professional basketball player currently playing for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association...
- Edward Ashbrook -- Katherine MannersKatherine MannersKatherine Manners is a British actor. She has appeared in Coram Boy at the Royal National Theatre and in the 2008 docudrama A Woman in Love and War: Vera Brittain as Brittain herself....
- Miss Price -- Inika Leigh Wright
- Lord Ashbrook -- William Scott Massive
- Frederic Handel -- Nick Tizzard
- Mrs. Milcote -- Eve MathesonEve MathesonEve Matheson is a British actress known for her roles as Zoe Angell in May to December and Becky Sharp in the BBC adaptation of the novel Vanity Fair.-Personal life:...
- Alice Ashbrook -- Sophie BouldSophie BouldSophie Bould is a British theatre and TV actress. Sophie is originally from Shropshire where she attended St Dominic's High School for Girls in Brewood, but is now based in London....
- Thomas Ledbury (young) -- Abby Ford
- Lady Ashbrook -- Rebecca Johnson
- Melissa/Angel -- Justine Mitchell
2nd London Cast (2006 - 2007):
- Toby -- Debbie Korley
- Alexander/Aaron (young) -- Katherine MannersKatherine MannersKatherine Manners is a British actor. She has appeared in Coram Boy at the Royal National Theatre and in the 2008 docudrama A Woman in Love and War: Vera Brittain as Brittain herself....
- Alexander Ashbrook (adult) -- Bertie CarvelBertie CarvelBertie Carvel is a British actor.He received a first from Sussex University in English, and graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2003.-Theatre:...
- Mrs. Lynch -- Ruth GemmellRuth Gemmell-Early life:Ruth Gemmell was born in Darlington, Durham, England. She has three brothers. She attended an all girls school in Darlington called Polam Hall.Her parents divorced when she was a child and she moved with her mother to Darlington from Barnard Castle....
- Molly -- Deeivya Meir
- Mrs. Hendry -- Sharon Maharaj
- Otis Gardiner -- Tim McMullen
- Thomas Ledbury (adult) -- Stuart McLaughlin
- Thomas Claymore -- Adam Shipway
- Meshak -- Al WeaverAl WeaverAlex "Al" Weaver is an English actor.Weaver studied acting at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His first paid theatre role was in Trevor Nunn's 2004 production of Hamlet, at the Old Vic theatre in London...
- Isobel Ashbrook -- Kelly WilliamsKelly WilliamsKelly Williams is a Filipino-American professional basketball player currently playing for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association...
- Edward Ashbrook -- Hannah Storey
- Miss Price -- Inika Leigh Wright
- Lord Ashbrook -- William Scott Massive
- Frederic Handel -- Nick Tizzard
- Mrs. Milcote -- Clare BurtClare BurtClare Burt is an English actress and singer, best known for her stage work and for her appearance on the television series The Bill.-Biography:Burt attended the independent fee-paying Sylvia Young Theatre School....
- Alice Ashbrook -- Jenni Maitland
- Thomas Ledbury (young) -- Abby Ford
- Lady Ashbrook -- Rebecca Johnson
- Melissa/Angel -- Justine Mitchell
Broadway Cast:
- Toby -- Uzo Aduba
- Alexander/Aaron (young) -- Xanthe ElbrickXanthe ElbrickXanthe Elbrick is an Anglo-American Tony Award-nominated stage actress. The youngest of four children, Xanthe was born in London, England, and attended Benenden School in Kent and Edinburgh University. She is the granddaughter of U.S...
- Alexander Ashbrook (adult) -- Wayne Wilcox
- Mrs. Lynch -- Jan MaxwellJan MaxwellJan Maxwell is an American stage and television actress. She is a four-time Tony Award nominee.-Biography:She is the daughter of former First District Judge Ralph B. Maxwell and Elizabeth Maxwell, a lawyer for the EPA. She attended West Fargo High School, West Fargo, North Dakota and Moorhead...
- Molly -- Jolly Abraham
- Mrs. Hendry -- Jacqueline Antaramian
- Otis Gardiner -- Bill Camp
- Thomas Ledbury (adult) -- Dashiell EavesDashiell EavesDashiell Eaves is an American actor. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and later moved with his family to Rochester, New York where he attended the School of the Arts. He graduated from Tisch School of the Arts at New York University in 1996...
- Thomas Claymore -- Tom Riis Farrell
- Meshak -- Brad Fleischer
- Isobel Ashbrook -- Karron Graves
- Edward Ashbrook -- Laura Heisler
- Miss Price -- Angela Lin
- Lord Ashbrook -- David Macdonald
- Frederic Handel -- Quentin Maré
- Mrs. Milcote -- Kathleen McNenny
- Alice Ashbrook -- Cristin MiliotiCristin MiliotiCristin Milioti is an American actress who has worked primarily in Broadway theatre. She is the 2010 star of That Face.-Biography:...
- Thomas Ledbury (young) -- Charlotte Parry
- Lady Ashbrook -- Christina Rouner
- Melissa/Angel -- Ivy Vahanian
Music
The music is performed by a 20-member onstage choir and a seven-piece chamber orchestra. The music includes parts or adaptations of HandelHANDEL
HANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
's Messiah and Theodora, as well as over an hour of original music consisting of songs, period-style dance, and chamber music, as well as dramatic underscoring.
Awards and nominations
Tony AwardTony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nominations (no wins):
- Best Featured Actress in a Play
- Xanthe ElbrickXanthe ElbrickXanthe Elbrick is an Anglo-American Tony Award-nominated stage actress. The youngest of four children, Xanthe was born in London, England, and attended Benenden School in Kent and Edinburgh University. She is the granddaughter of U.S...
- Jan Maxwell
- Xanthe Elbrick
- Best Direction of a Play
- Best Scenic Design of a Play
- Best Costume Design of a Play
- Best Lighting Design of a Play
2007 Theatre World Award
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
- Xanthe Elbrick
Xanthe Elbrick
Xanthe Elbrick is an Anglo-American Tony Award-nominated stage actress. The youngest of four children, Xanthe was born in London, England, and attended Benenden School in Kent and Edinburgh University. She is the granddaughter of U.S...
(winner)
Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
nominations for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play:
- Xanthe ElbrickXanthe ElbrickXanthe Elbrick is an Anglo-American Tony Award-nominated stage actress. The youngest of four children, Xanthe was born in London, England, and attended Benenden School in Kent and Edinburgh University. She is the granddaughter of U.S...
- Jan Maxwell
Outer Critics Circle Award
Outer Critics Circle Award
The Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on and Off-Broadway and were begun during the 1949-1950 theater season. The awards are decided upon by theater critics who review for out-of-town newspapers, national publications, and other media outlets...
nominations (no wins):
- Outstanding New Broadway Play
- Outstanding Director of a Play (Lucille Lortel Award)
- Outstanding Set Design (Ti Green & Melly Still)
- Outstanding Lighting Design (Paule Constable)
Recent productions
Coram Boy was recently performed by the University of Bristol's Spotlights to great critical acclaim and ran from 3rd-5th March 2011. Jamila Gavin, who wrote the original novel, commented on the performance: "Not only was this highly talented production of Coram Boy inventive and effective, but a fine cast of actors gave a performance which I found as moving, witty and musical as any I have seen".Consequently, the production transferred to the Pleasance Theatre in London in April 2011.