The Matchgirls
Encyclopedia
In the 1960s, the British actor Bill Owen collaborated with songwriter Tony Russell to create a musical about the London matchgirls strike of 1888
. The musical Premiered at the Globe Theatre
, London on Tuesday 1 March 1966 and marked the first musical directed and choreographed by Gillian Lynne
. A cast recording from this time is still available but there has never been a major London production since that time, although the musical was later published by Samuel French Ltd in 1979.
factory in Bow, London
, with strong references to the condition Phossy Jaw and the political climate of the era. With much of the action set in the incongruously named, but fictional, 'Hope Court', the musical portrays Bryant and May as callous and uncaring employers, with factory foreman 'Mr Mynel' representing the threatening and imposing regime in which the girls were forced to work.
' to ask for help in seeking reform at the factory. The story follows Kate and Annie's attempts to rally the girls, leading Kate to become a reckless strike-leader and a key player in the creation and recognition of the union. There is also a sub plot in which Kate's involvement in the strike puts strain on her relationship with docker 'Joe'.
Despite the subject matter of the musical, a strong emphasis is placed on the positive mentality and natural ebulliance of the so called 'cockney sparrows', this leading to a number of cheerful and entertaining vocal numbers and dance routines.
Phosphorus
Look at That Hat
Look Around
Me
Men
La Di Dah (only in later versions)
Something About You
Mind You Bert
My Dear Lady
We're Gonna Show 'Em
Cockney Sparrers
Life of Mine
Hopping Dance: I Long to See the Day (not in some later versions)
Comes a Time
Amendment to a Motion
Waiting
Life of Mine Reprise (Finale)
London matchgirls strike of 1888
The London match-girls’ strike of 1888 was a strike of the women and teenage girls working at the Bryant and May Factory in Bow, London.-The strike:...
. The musical Premiered at the Globe Theatre
Gielgud Theatre
The Gielgud Theatre is a West End theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster, London, at the corner of Rupert Street. The house currently has 889 seats on three levels.-History:...
, London on Tuesday 1 March 1966 and marked the first musical directed and choreographed by Gillian Lynne
Gillian Lynne
Gillian Barbara Lynne , CBE, born , is a British ballerina, dancer, actor, theatre director, television director and choreographer noted for her popular theatre choreography associated with the iconic musicals Cats and the current longest running show in Broadway history, The Phantom of the Opera.-...
. A cast recording from this time is still available but there has never been a major London production since that time, although the musical was later published by Samuel French Ltd in 1979.
Overview
The musical focuses on the lifestyle of the match cutters at the Bryant and MayBryant and May
For the Bryant and May series of crime mystery books, see the author Christopher Fowler.Bryant and May was a United Kingdom company created in the mid-nineteenth century specifically to make matches. Their original Bryant and May Factory was located in Bow, London...
factory in Bow, London
Bow, London
Bow is an area of London, England, United Kingdom in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is a built-up, mostly residential district located east of Charing Cross, and is a part of the East End.-Bridges at Bowe:...
, with strong references to the condition Phossy Jaw and the political climate of the era. With much of the action set in the incongruously named, but fictional, 'Hope Court', the musical portrays Bryant and May as callous and uncaring employers, with factory foreman 'Mr Mynel' representing the threatening and imposing regime in which the girls were forced to work.
Synopsis
The central character of the musical is 'Kate', a tenement girl and factory worker, who writes to 'Annie BesantAnnie Besant
Annie Besant was a prominent British Theosophist, women's rights activist, writer and orator and supporter of Irish and Indian self rule.She was married at 19 to Frank Besant but separated from him over religious differences. She then became a prominent speaker for the National Secular Society ...
' to ask for help in seeking reform at the factory. The story follows Kate and Annie's attempts to rally the girls, leading Kate to become a reckless strike-leader and a key player in the creation and recognition of the union. There is also a sub plot in which Kate's involvement in the strike puts strain on her relationship with docker 'Joe'.
Despite the subject matter of the musical, a strong emphasis is placed on the positive mentality and natural ebulliance of the so called 'cockney sparrows', this leading to a number of cheerful and entertaining vocal numbers and dance routines.
Musical numbers
Musical Numbers:Phosphorus
Look at That Hat
Look Around
Me
Men
La Di Dah (only in later versions)
Something About You
Mind You Bert
My Dear Lady
We're Gonna Show 'Em
Cockney Sparrers
Life of Mine
Hopping Dance: I Long to See the Day (not in some later versions)
Comes a Time
Amendment to a Motion
Waiting
Life of Mine Reprise (Finale)