hamburger
Buxton International Festival and Norwich Theatre present

The Land Of Might-Have-Been

Inspired by Vera Brittain's Early LifeBuxton Opera Housebutton--dates-and-timesDates & Times

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 


  • Duration: 2hr 15mins (includes interval)
  • Price: £25-£71

Offers/Discounts

Discounts

Multi-Buy: 10% off when booking all 3 BIF Productions: La sonnambula, The Land of Might- Have-Been, Il re pastore
Concessions: £10 tickets for under 35s, who are part of the Friends of BIF Next Gen scheme. Join for free at buxtonfestival.co.uk.

Only one discount will apply per booking, the best offering will automatically be applied at checkout.