Music & Lyrics by Ivor Novello
Book & Lyrics by Michael Williams
Arranged and with additional composition by Iain Farrington
Brought together in a summer of love, torn apart by war, only one would survive to tell their story.
Buxton International Festival and Norwich Theatre are delighted to present the world premiere of The Land of Might-Have-Been. This new musical is written by Michael Williams, co-creator of the UK Theatre Award winning opera Georgiana.
The story follows Vera and Roland, and Edward and Bobbie who unexpectedly fall in love over a long hot summer in Buxton in 1914. They all have their own ideas about their glittering futures but are faced with the prejudice and conventions of their time. The war in Europe shatters all their hopes and dreams but compels Vera into a life-long campaign for peace and equality.
Return to the halcyon days of that long-ago perfect summer where ragtime was sweeping through every ballroom; where debutant balls were the Tinder of today and chaperones were the curse of every young woman in love; where the call of King and Country stirred the imagination of young men everywhere and the power of love kept hope alive in the darkest of times.
Built around the songs of Ivor Novello and based on the lives of Vera and Edward Brittain before and during the first world war. Vera Brittain, the author of the best-selling war memoir Testament of Youth and Ivor Novello, the most successful British musical theatre composer of the 20th century, were both 21 years old when Keep the Home Fires Burning brought cheer to the British public.
Iain Farrington’s new orchestral arrangement of songs like My Dearest Dear, Waltz of My Heart, My Life Belongs To You and Why Is There Ever Goodbye captures Ivor Novello’s extraordinary gift of melody and harmony.
Cast
Audrey Brisson Vera Brittain
Alexander Knox Roland Leighton
George Arvidson Edward Brittain
Kit Esuroso Bobby
Stuart Pendred Arthur Brittain
Bernadine Pritchett Edith Brittain
Creative Team
Michael Williams Book and Lyrics
Adrian Kelly Artistic Director
Kimberley Sykes Director
Iwan Davies Conductor
Iain Farrington Music arranged with additional composition
Nicky Shaw Set and Costume Designer
Michela Meazza Choreographer
Jake Wiltshire Lighting Designer
Andrew Lynford Casting Director
Declan Matwij Sound Designer
Northern Chamber Orchestra