Bridget Jones' Diary (musical)
Encyclopedia
Bridget Jones' Diary is a musical based on the award-winning book
and film of the same name
. The show is due to open in London's West End
in 2012, although no date has been officially confirmed.
and British comedienne Victoria Wood
, each playing several parts. Although the script, penned by author of the original books, Helen Fielding
, was considered very "raw" and incomplete in some places, the performance was praised by its audience. Representatives for the show's production company, Working Title
, confirmed that Fielding had officially signed contracts releasing the rights for a musical production to go ahead.
In early 2010, it was confirmed that Tony award-winning, Stephen Daldry
, and Peter Darling
would serve as director and choreographer respectively. The pair had previously worked together on the successful West End and Broadway productions of Billy Elliot
.
British musician Lily Allen
has also confirmed that she, with fellow collaborator, Greg Kurstin
, are writing the music and lyrics for the show, and that ten of their songs have already been approved for inclusion.
Tiffany Graves, Cassidy Janson, Richard Frame and Julie Legrand are also among the names confirmed to be playing various other roles in the workshop production. There is currently no official confirmation on whether any of the workshop cast will appear in the final West End production.
If the workshops prove successful, the show will officially open in London's West End in 2011. Sheridan Smith, upon appearance on BBC One
's The One Show
on August 3, 2010, stated that should the decision be made for a West End production of the show to go ahead, she will play the title role. Smith has stated that the production would not open in the West End until 2012 and that she would be playing the title role.
A new wave of workshops began in July 2011, again featuring Sheridan Smith, and featuring a larger cast and more extensive staging. Due to other working commitments in Carvel's schedule, the role of Mark Darcy was taken over by Stephen Carlile.
Bridget Jones's Diary
Bridget Jones's Diary is a 1996 novel by Helen Fielding. Written in the form of a personal diary, the novel chronicles a year in the life of Bridget Jones, a thirty-something single working woman living in London. She writes about her career, self-image, vices, family, friends, and romantic...
and film of the same name
Bridget Jones's Diary (film)
Bridget Jones's Diary is a 2001 British romantic comedy film based on Helen Fielding's novel of the same name. The adaptation stars Renée Zellweger as Bridget, Hugh Grant as the caddish Daniel Cleaver, and Colin Firth as Bridget's "true love", Mark Darcy...
. The show is due to open in London's West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
in 2012, although no date has been officially confirmed.
Development
In early 2009, the production was first performed to a very small audience. As there was no music written for the show at the time, the performance consisted of only dialogue and a few spoken lyrics. The production featured a limited cast including Harry EnfieldHarry Enfield
Henry Richard "Harry" Enfield is a BAFTA-winning English comedian, actor, writer and director.-Early life:...
and British comedienne Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood CBE is a British comedienne, actress, singer-songwriter, screenwriter and director. Wood has written and starred in sketches, plays, films and sitcoms, and her live stand-up comedy act is interspersed with her own compositions, which she accompanies on piano...
, each playing several parts. Although the script, penned by author of the original books, Helen Fielding
Helen Fielding
Helen Fielding is an English novelist and screenwriter, best known as the creator of the fictional character Bridget Jones, a sequence of novels and films that chronicle the life of a thirtysomething single woman in London as she tries to make sense of life and love.Her novels Bridget Jones's...
, was considered very "raw" and incomplete in some places, the performance was praised by its audience. Representatives for the show's production company, Working Title
Working Title Films
Working Title Films is a British film production company, based in London, UK. The company was founded by Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe in 1983. It produces feature films and several television productions, including films starring comic actor Rowan Atkinson...
, confirmed that Fielding had officially signed contracts releasing the rights for a musical production to go ahead.
In early 2010, it was confirmed that Tony award-winning, Stephen Daldry
Stephen Daldry
Stephen David Daldry, CBE is an English theatre and film director and producer, as well as a three-time Academy Award nominated and Tony Award winning director.-Early years:...
, and Peter Darling
Peter Darling
Peter Darling is an English dancer and choreographer best known for his award-winning work in Billy Elliot the Musical.-External links:...
would serve as director and choreographer respectively. The pair had previously worked together on the successful West End and Broadway productions of Billy Elliot
Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes...
.
British musician Lily Allen
Lily Allen
Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper , better known as Lily Allen, is an English recording artist and fashion designer. She is the daughter of actor and musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. In her teenage years, her musical tastes evolved from glam rock to alternative...
has also confirmed that she, with fellow collaborator, Greg Kurstin
Greg Kurstin
Gregory Allen "Greg" Kurstin is an award-winning American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. In 2009 Kurstin received a Grammy Award nomination for Producer of the Year. That same year he won three Ivor Novello awards for his work with Lily Allen, including Songwriters of the Year for "The Fear"...
, are writing the music and lyrics for the show, and that ten of their songs have already been approved for inclusion.
Workshops
After a long period of development on the script and music, a workshop production of the show began in London with the following cast in early 2010:- Bridget JonesBridget JonesBridget Jones is a franchise based on the fictional character with the same name. English writer Helen Fielding started her Bridget Jones's Diary column in The Independent in 1995, chronicling the life of Bridget Jones as a thirtysomething single woman in London as she tries to make sense of life...
- Sheridan SmithSheridan SmithSheridan Smith is an English actress and singer who is best known for her contributions to the British sitcoms Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Gavin & Stacey and Benidorm. She has also become a recognised face in West End theatre, where she has appeared in Little Shop of Horrors,... - Mark Darcy - 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:...
- Daniel Cleaver - Julian OvendenJulian OvendenJulian Ovenden is an English stage, television and film actor and singer. He is one of three children of Canon John Ovenden, chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II....
- Bridget's Mother - Marilyn Cutts
- Bridget's Father - Billy BoyleBilly BoyleBilly Boyle is an Irish actor on British film, television and stage. He is a veteran of the West-End stage having played leading roles in over 15 hit shows. In his first West-End musical "Maggie May" he was nominated as best newcomer. Gower Champion then chose him to play Barnaby in "Hello Dolly"...
- Shazza - Alice Fearn
Tiffany Graves, Cassidy Janson, Richard Frame and Julie Legrand are also among the names confirmed to be playing various other roles in the workshop production. There is currently no official confirmation on whether any of the workshop cast will appear in the final West End production.
If the workshops prove successful, the show will officially open in London's West End in 2011. Sheridan Smith, upon appearance on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
's The One Show
The One Show
The One Show is a topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One and BBC One HD, hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker. Chris Evans joins Jones to present the programme on Friday...
on August 3, 2010, stated that should the decision be made for a West End production of the show to go ahead, she will play the title role. Smith has stated that the production would not open in the West End until 2012 and that she would be playing the title role.
A new wave of workshops began in July 2011, again featuring Sheridan Smith, and featuring a larger cast and more extensive staging. Due to other working commitments in Carvel's schedule, the role of Mark Darcy was taken over by Stephen Carlile.