The Slide (musical)
Encyclopedia
The Slide is a jukebox musical
featuring the songs of The Beautiful South
. It was premiered at the Phoenix Theatre
, Swindon
.
The show follows the exploits of its main character Philip ‘Baddie’ Badwick, who receives funding from his employer to study engineering at a northern university as a mature student. On arriving he quickly meets fellow students Anthony (a good looking, self confessed ‘ladies man’) and Patrick (an apparent geek, with an undiscovered passion for S&M).
Along the way the lads encounter a variety of female characters, including Janice, (Baddie’s sincere, but long suffering girlfriend), Kim, (a feisty northern girl wanting a committed and honest relationship with Anthony), Fiona, (the ‘older women’ that introduces Patrick to S&M) and ‘the Twins’ (two free and easy northern girls just out for a laugh).
Whilst Anthony and Patrick explore love, lust and commitment, Baddie’s primary interest, and eventual dependency, quickly becomes alcohol. He finally ends up at an alcoholics anonymous meeting (at Janice’s request), but this only serves to strengthen his commitment to his addiction.
Kim leaves the cheating Anthony, and Janice leaves the alcoholic Baddie – her departure being the last straw in Baddie’s self-destruction (in the form of a final, deadly, alcoholic binge).
The show marked a distinct change from other jukebox musicals, with a gritty real life story, steeped in realism.
Jukebox musical
A jukebox musical is a stage or film musical that uses previously released popular songs as its musical score. Usually the songs have in common a connection with a particular popular musician or group — either because they were written by, or for, the artists in question, or were at least...
featuring the songs of The Beautiful South
The Beautiful South
The Beautiful South were an English alternative rock group formed at the end of the 1980s by two former members of Hull group The Housemartins, Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway. The duo were initially joined by Sean Welch , Dave Stead and Dave Rotheray , all of whom stayed with the group throughout...
. It was premiered at the Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix Theatre may refer to:*Phoenix Arts Centre, former name was Phoenix Theatre in Leicester, UK*Phoenix Theatre , a West End theatre*Phoenix Theatre , a professional alternative theatre*Phoenix Theatre , a regional theatre...
, Swindon
Swindon
Swindon is a large town within the borough of Swindon and ceremonial county of Wiltshire, in South West England. It is midway between Bristol, west and Reading, east. London is east...
.
The show follows the exploits of its main character Philip ‘Baddie’ Badwick, who receives funding from his employer to study engineering at a northern university as a mature student. On arriving he quickly meets fellow students Anthony (a good looking, self confessed ‘ladies man’) and Patrick (an apparent geek, with an undiscovered passion for S&M).
Along the way the lads encounter a variety of female characters, including Janice, (Baddie’s sincere, but long suffering girlfriend), Kim, (a feisty northern girl wanting a committed and honest relationship with Anthony), Fiona, (the ‘older women’ that introduces Patrick to S&M) and ‘the Twins’ (two free and easy northern girls just out for a laugh).
Whilst Anthony and Patrick explore love, lust and commitment, Baddie’s primary interest, and eventual dependency, quickly becomes alcohol. He finally ends up at an alcoholics anonymous meeting (at Janice’s request), but this only serves to strengthen his commitment to his addiction.
Kim leaves the cheating Anthony, and Janice leaves the alcoholic Baddie – her departure being the last straw in Baddie’s self-destruction (in the form of a final, deadly, alcoholic binge).
The show marked a distinct change from other jukebox musicals, with a gritty real life story, steeped in realism.