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The Woman in White (musical)
Encyclopedia
The Woman in White is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber
and David Zippel with a book by Charlotte Jones, based on the novel The Woman in White
written by Wilkie Collins
. It ran for nineteen months in the West End
and three months on Broadway, making it one of Lloyd Webber's shortest-running shows.
The musical adaptation of the book opened in London
's West End, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
, lyrics by David Zippel
, and book by Charlotte Jones, freely adapted from the novel. Directed by Trevor Nunn
, it opened Wednesday, 15 September 2004 at the Palace Theatre
. It gained attention for its set design, which employed the innovative use of projections rather than traditional scenery.
Through its first year, the London production earned some criticism. The projections were dizzying, out of focus, and the revolve (turntable) was not synchronized with the projections. (The revolve is used to move actors from one point of the stage to another while pictures behind them move, giving the effect of a camera swooping about.)
Also, at the end of 2004 (in the show's fourth month), the star Michael Crawford
was taken ill, as a result of oversweating in the fat suit he wore to play the grossly obese character Count Fosco. From late December until early February 2005, Steve Varnom, the understudy, played the role. Renowned British singer/stage star Michael Ball
then took over until late April. He received much praise for his portrayal because he had reinvented the role and his interpretation was used as the base for his replacements.
On 9 July 2005, the final Original London Cast (except with Fosco being played by Anthony Andrews) appeared on stage. It was also the final performance of the "first" version. The "second" version opened the following Monday night, with an almost completely new cast (some original ensemble members remained, along with Andrews and Edward Petherbridge, who played Mr. Fairlie). This version "previewed" through the rest of summer, inviting critics to return in early September 2005 with the arrival of Simon Callow
as the fourth Count Fosco. The production was received with more enthusiasm though feelings were still mixed. The relations between the projections' movements and the revolve were said to be tighter, and the images were more in focus. The cast was also given good notices.
The show reportedly received some cutting, but still took roughly as long because of an extended ending which almost filled in the time saved earlier. Staging was also tightened.
On 20 January 2006, it was officially announced by producer Sonia Friedman
and The Really Useful
Theatre Company that the show would close in London on 25 February 2006 after a run of 19 months just reaching its 500th performance.
Broadway
The Broadway production (which is chronicled below) was shortened far more than the Version 2.0. Verses were cut from "Perspective" and "The Seduction," along with "If Not for Me, For Her" (also cut in Version 2.0). The scenery was improved further. William Dudley's curved walls were no longer perfectly round, but oval shaped (it made the images feel more encompassing). The walls also had their doors fixed. The London production (through its end in 2006) had the doors aligned with the walls on only one side, so whenever they were spun around to the audience, there was roughly four inches of excess space between the wall and the door within. The Broadway production solved this problem by attaching the doors to tracks inside the 6 inches (152.4 mm) walls so that they would move to the other side whenever the walls were spun.
The Broadway production opened on 17 November 2005 at the Marquis Theatre
to mostly negative critical reaction. In his New York Times review Ben Brantley
wrote: "It's not a terrible show, but it's an awfully pallid one." This followed much publicity after the show's star, Maria Friedman
, who had created the role of Marian Halcombe in the original London production, was diagnosed with breast cancer during previews; however, she underwent treatment and returned for the Broadway premiere.
In a surprising announcement, the Broadway production closed even earlier than the London production on 19 February 2006, having played 109 regular performances and 20 previews. The producers cited Friedman's frequent absences (as well as the negative reviews) as difficult obstacles to overcome.
A rumoured tour of a reconceived production planned to open in Milton Keynes in January 2007 failed to materialise.
ACT I—Limmeridge, Cumberland
Blackwater House, Hampshire
ACT II—Blackwater House, Hampshire
London - Beggars and Hartright
Limmeridge House
A railway cutting near Limmeridge
On a midnight train trip on the way to Limmeridge House as a drawing teacher, Walter Hartright sees a strange woman dressed entirely in white, apparently escaping from someone and urgent to share a terrible secret with him. The signalman, who is scared because although he saw no-one, it has been predicted that in a 'year to this day' that someone would be found dead on the railway track. "A man such as yourself", the signalman says. ("Prologue").
Act 1
Walter meets his new students: Marian Halcombe and her pretty half-sister Laura Fairlie, who is heir to the estate which includes Limmeridge House. ("Hope you like it here"). He tells them about his encounter, and they resolve to solve the mystery ("Perspective").
A love triangle develops as Walter and Laura quickly fall in love ("I believe my heart") but Marian also falls for Walter and those feelings are not reciprocated ("Trying Not To Notice"). The peasants on the Limmeridge Estate sing and dance to celebrate the harvest ("Lammastide"). A girl is excluded from the festival because her mother believes her to be 'telling tales'. She tells Hartright of a ghost of a woman in all white. Hartright goes to the graveyard where the child saw the 'ghost' and meets Anne Catherick who tells him her name and the name of the man who she is scared of: "Sir Percival Glyde" ("You see I am no ghost"). Marian tells Walter that Laura is engaged to a man of 'titled property': Sir Percival Glyde.
Later Sir Percival Glyde arrives at Limmeridge, pretending to be a long-standing friend to Marian. Glyde suggests that they move the wedding up from spring to Christmas and Laura eventually agrees.
Count Fosco, Glyde's friend and best man for the wedding, arrives and becomes attracted to Marian. After dinner Laura plays the piano; Fosco commends her skills and tells her not to hide them when Marian asks him about his own skills he modestly gives in and shows them something of his ego ("A gift for living well").
When questioned by Walter about Anne Catherick, Glyde tells him that she is mad. He mentions that he tried to help her, and she thinks that he is her enemy. Laura is reluctant to marry Glyde, but Marian encourages her to honor her father's dying wish. Walter receives all this news angrily and leaves for London but not before Laura returns a picture he drew of her back ("I Believe My Heart (Reprise)").
Laura and Glyde are married ("The Holly and the Ivy"). Anne Catherick decides to travel to Laura's side to help her, because she insists that Glyde 'knows no mercy'.
Marian moves into Blackwater House, Glyde's estate. Laura becomes angry and distrustful of Marian because her advice led her to marry a man whom she discovers to be a physically abusive husband (she reveals severe bruises across her chest and arms); he only wants her for her money, to pay off his debt. Marian is determined to free Laura from this ill-fated marriage ("All For Laura").
The next day, Glyde presents Laura with a document to sign, but he will not tell her its contents. Laura is immediately suspicious, and refuses to sign something she knows nothing about. Glyde is furious, but can not force her to sign the document. The girls go for a walk to calm down, and meet Anne Catherick. They witness Anne being taken back to the Asylum. They are then completely convinced that Glyde and his flamboyant Italian friend, Fosco are villains ("The document").
Laura and Anne realize how similar they are to each other ("Act 1 Finale").
Act 2
Marian eavesdrops on Sir Percival and Count Fosco, and overhears their evil plans to steal the Limmeridge Estate. She also overhears their plans for Anne Catherick, but Count Fosco figures out that he's being watched before he reveals anything important about the madwoman. He leaves the library to put Marian to bed ("If I Could Dream This World Away").
Marian, having gone to bed, starts to dream a montage of events that have occurred recently, mixed in with some noises. The noises, though not apparent to Marian, are actually Laura arguing and screaming ("The nightmare").
Marian shortly is woken up by Count Fosco, who tells her that Laura was walking in her sleep and fell out the window. Marian is quite shaken by the tragic news. Count Fosco, avoiding drama, heads off to his house in London. However, being infatuated with Marian, he gives her his address in case she needs anything ("Fosco Tells of Laura's Death"). At the village funeral Glyde suggests to Mr. Fairlie that they get to the papers that need to be attended to. In a show of grief Glyde tries to shake Marian's hand but she ignores him, but vowing revenge for her sister she heads to find Walter ("The Funeral").
In London, Walter has run out of money and gives his last coin to a beggar, now with only his memories left ("London"). Having heard the news through the grapevine of Laura's death, Walter expresses his grief at losing the love of his life. Coincidentally, Glyde, who is frustrated with paperwork, also shares Walter's feelings for Laura ("Evermore Without You").
Marian goes to London in search of Walter. She discovers a picture of Laura that Walter painted. The owner of the shop provides an address for him, and she finds him living in a rundown old home ("Lost Souls").
At first, he is very angry with her for sending him away, but when Marian makes a heartfelt plea, he joins Marian in her quest to learn the secret of Anne Catherick and avenge Laura's death. Marian believes that Anne's location is in a document that she witnessed Count Fosco sign the night she eavesdropped. Meanwhile, Glyde is happily betting the money that he has not yet received, which infuriates Fosco and leads to a split in their friendship. Marian and Walter are ready to leave for their visit to Count Fosco's. Marian is dressed specifically with the intent to use her feminine wiles against Fosco, which makes Walter suddenly realize his true feelings for her ("If Not For Me For Her").
Fosco, pleased with his part in the manipulation of everyone, gloats to himself and his pet mice ("You Can Get Away With Anything").
They both go to Count Fosco's home to retrieve the document. Count Fosco attempts to seduce Marian, not realizing that she is purposefully playing along. She sends him to the bathroom to shave as a diversion, whilst she searches for the document. She finds it, and discovers the location of Anne's asylum. When Count Fosco returns from the bathroom he discovers that Marian is visiting for another purpose. A rejected Count Fosco admits that if Marian was really interested in him, that he would have offered marriage and travel ("The Seduction").
Marian and Walter go to the asylum to get secret from Anne Catherick. However, when they arrive at Anne's cell, they find not Anne but Laura. Laura explains the conspiracy: Sir Percival Glyde put Laura in Anne's place at the asylum, killed Anne, then buried her in Laura's grave. In desperation the threesome head to Limmeridge House to try learn the secret from Mr. Fairlie, who knows more about Anne Catherick than he says he does ("The Asylum").
Meanwhile, Sir Percival Glyde has convinced Mr. Fairlie to give the Limmeridge Estate to him because he was married to Laura. Mr. Fairlie signs the document and Glyde goes off to catch a train.
Marian, Laura and Walter arrive at Limmeridge House after Glyde has left for the train. Mr. Fairlie reveals that Anne Catherick is in fact Laura's half-sister, and they look identical. Marian tells him of the conspiracy, but Mr. Fairlie sadly tells her that he already signed the document. The three run to the train to stop Glyde from getting away ("Back To Limmeridge").
While still in Anne's white clothing, Laura pretends to be Anne and attempts to haunt Glyde if he doesn't tell the truth about the secret. "I had to drown your bastard child!" he exclaims. Laura reads between the lines and figures out the Secret: Glyde had raped Anne, and drowned their child at Blackwater Lake. He tries to kill Laura to silence her, but then is run over by a train. The signalman's prediction comes true, but it is Glyde, not Walter, who lies dead on the tracks.
Walter and Laura are happily married, Walter inherits Limmeridge House, and Marian is left heartbroken ("Act 2 Finale").
Note:
Later in the original run (and subsequent Broadway production), Marian's heartbroken ending is interrupted to show that she goes with them and helps to take care of their children (this is inferred).
Notable West End Replacements
Whats On Stage Award
Tony Award
Outer Critics Circle Award
Theatre World Award
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
and David Zippel with a book by Charlotte Jones, based on the novel The Woman in White
The Woman in White (novel)
The Woman in White is an epistolary novel written by Wilkie Collins in 1859, serialized in 1859–1860, and first published in book form in 1860...
written by Wilkie Collins
Wilkie Collins
William Wilkie Collins was an English novelist, playwright, and author of short stories. He was very popular during the Victorian era and wrote 30 novels, more than 60 short stories, 14 plays, and over 100 non-fiction pieces...
. It ran for nineteen months in the 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...
and three months on Broadway, making it one of Lloyd Webber's shortest-running shows.
Production history
West EndWest 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...
The musical adaptation of the book opened in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's West End, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
, lyrics by David Zippel
David Zippel
David Joel Zippel is an American musical theatre lyricist.-Biography:Zippel was born in Easton, Pennsylvania. He is a 1976 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. While there, he wrote a "bizarre political musical" called Rotunda...
, and book by Charlotte Jones, freely adapted from the novel. Directed by Trevor Nunn
Trevor Nunn
Sir Trevor Robert Nunn, CBE is an English theatre, film and television director. Nunn has been the Artistic Director for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and, currently, the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. He has directed musicals and dramas for the stage, as well as opera...
, it opened Wednesday, 15 September 2004 at the Palace Theatre
Palace Theatre, London
The Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster in London. It is an imposing red-brick building that dominates the west side of Cambridge Circus and is located near the intersection of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road...
. It gained attention for its set design, which employed the innovative use of projections rather than traditional scenery.
Through its first year, the London production earned some criticism. The projections were dizzying, out of focus, and the revolve (turntable) was not synchronized with the projections. (The revolve is used to move actors from one point of the stage to another while pictures behind them move, giving the effect of a camera swooping about.)
Also, at the end of 2004 (in the show's fourth month), the star Michael Crawford
Michael Crawford
Michael Crawford OBE is an English actor and singer. He has garnered great critical acclaim and won numerous awards during his career, which covers radio, television, film, and stagework on both London's West End and on Broadway in New York City...
was taken ill, as a result of oversweating in the fat suit he wore to play the grossly obese character Count Fosco. From late December until early February 2005, Steve Varnom, the understudy, played the role. Renowned British singer/stage star Michael Ball
Michael Ball (singer)
Michael Ashley Ball, born 27 June 1962) is a British actor, singer, and radio and TV presenter who is best known for the song "Love Changes Everything" and musical theatre roles such as Marius in Les Misérables, Alex in Aspects of Love, Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Edna Turnblad...
then took over until late April. He received much praise for his portrayal because he had reinvented the role and his interpretation was used as the base for his replacements.
On 9 July 2005, the final Original London Cast (except with Fosco being played by Anthony Andrews) appeared on stage. It was also the final performance of the "first" version. The "second" version opened the following Monday night, with an almost completely new cast (some original ensemble members remained, along with Andrews and Edward Petherbridge, who played Mr. Fairlie). This version "previewed" through the rest of summer, inviting critics to return in early September 2005 with the arrival of Simon Callow
Simon Callow
Simon Phillip Hugh Callow, CBE is an English actor, writer and theatre director. He is also currently a judge on Popstar to Operastar.-Early years:...
as the fourth Count Fosco. The production was received with more enthusiasm though feelings were still mixed. The relations between the projections' movements and the revolve were said to be tighter, and the images were more in focus. The cast was also given good notices.
The show reportedly received some cutting, but still took roughly as long because of an extended ending which almost filled in the time saved earlier. Staging was also tightened.
On 20 January 2006, it was officially announced by producer Sonia Friedman
Sonia Friedman
Sonia Friedman is a prolific British West End and Broadway theatre producer. She is the younger sister of actress Maria Friedman.-Biography and career:...
and The Really Useful
Really Useful Group
The Really Useful Group Ltd. is an international company set up in 1977 by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It is involved in theatre, film, television, video and concert productions, merchandising, magazine publishing, records and music publishing...
Theatre Company that the show would close in London on 25 February 2006 after a run of 19 months just reaching its 500th performance.
Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
The Broadway production (which is chronicled below) was shortened far more than the Version 2.0. Verses were cut from "Perspective" and "The Seduction," along with "If Not for Me, For Her" (also cut in Version 2.0). The scenery was improved further. William Dudley's curved walls were no longer perfectly round, but oval shaped (it made the images feel more encompassing). The walls also had their doors fixed. The London production (through its end in 2006) had the doors aligned with the walls on only one side, so whenever they were spun around to the audience, there was roughly four inches of excess space between the wall and the door within. The Broadway production solved this problem by attaching the doors to tracks inside the 6 inches (152.4 mm) walls so that they would move to the other side whenever the walls were spun.
The Broadway production opened on 17 November 2005 at the Marquis Theatre
Marquis Theatre
The Marquis Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 1535 Broadway in midtown-Manhattan.Situated on the third floor of the Marriott Marquis Hotel, the 1611-seat venue was designed by developer/architect John C. Portman, Jr...
to mostly negative critical reaction. In his New York Times review Ben Brantley
Ben Brantley
Benjamin D. "Ben" Brantley is an American journalist and the chief theater critic of The New York Times.-Life and career:...
wrote: "It's not a terrible show, but it's an awfully pallid one." This followed much publicity after the show's star, Maria Friedman
Maria Friedman
Maria Friedman is an English actress working in television, musical theatre, and concerts. She has won three Olivier Awards for her stage work.-Early years:...
, who had created the role of Marian Halcombe in the original London production, was diagnosed with breast cancer during previews; however, she underwent treatment and returned for the Broadway premiere.
In a surprising announcement, the Broadway production closed even earlier than the London production on 19 February 2006, having played 109 regular performances and 20 previews. The producers cited Friedman's frequent absences (as well as the negative reviews) as difficult obstacles to overcome.
A rumoured tour of a reconceived production planned to open in Milton Keynes in January 2007 failed to materialise.
Musical numbers
A railway cutting near Limmeridge, Cumberland, June 1870- "Prologue" - Hartright, Signalman, Anne and Servant
ACT I—Limmeridge, Cumberland
- "I Hope You Like It Here" - Marian, Mr. Fairlie, Hartright and Laura
- "Perspective" - Marian, Laura and Hartright
- "Trying Not to Notice" - Hartright, Marian and Laura
- "I Believe My Heart" - Hartright and Laura
- "Lammastide" - Villagers, Men, Women and Girl.
- "You See I Am No Ghost" - Anne and Hartright
- "Marian tells of the engagement" - Marian and Hartright
- "Sir Percival Glyde arrives." - Servant, Glyde, Mr. Fairlie, Marian and Laura
- "Foscos arrival" - Fosco and Marian
- "A Gift For Living Well" - Fosco, Glyde, Laura, Marian, Mr. Fairlie and Hartright
- "I believe my Heart (Reprise)" - Laura and Hartright
- "The Holly and the Ivy" - Congregation and Girl
- "Anne Catherick decides to help Laura." - Anne
Blackwater House, Hampshire
- Marian hears the truth from Laura." - Marian and Laura
- "All For Laura" - Marian and Anne
- "The Document" - Glyde, Laura, Marian and Fosco
- "Act I Finale" - Marian, Laura, Anne, Glyde, Men and Fosco
ACT II—Blackwater House, Hampshire
- "If I Could Only Dream This World Away" - Laura and Marian
- "Marian on the ledge" - Glyde and Fosco
- " Marian's Bedroom." - Fosco and Marian
- "The Nightmare" - Fosco, Laura, Anne, Glyde, Hartright, Chorus and Marian
- "Fosco Tells of Laura's Death/The Funeral/London" - Fosco, Marian, Priest, Glyde and Mr. Fairlie.
London - Beggars and Hartright
- "Evermore Without You" - Hartright.
- "Lost Souls" - Chorus, Maria and Connartist
- "Marian sees the sketch." - Marian and Pawnbroker
- "Marian finds Hartright." - Marian and Hartright.
- "If Not For Me For Her" - Marian and Hartright (Cut from show in July 2005)
- "Percival gambles the fruits of his success." - Chorus, Glyde and Fosco
- "You Can Get Away With Anything" - Fosco
- "The Seduction" - Fosco and Marian.
- "A Gift for living well (Reprise)." - Fosco
- ."I can get away with anything." - Fosco
- "The Perfect team." - Marian and Hartright.
- "The Asylum" - Marian, Hartright and Laura.
Limmeridge House
- "Back To Limmeridge" - Glyde, Mr. Fairlie, Hartrigth, Marian and Laura
A railway cutting near Limmeridge
- "Finale" - Glyde, Signalman, Laura, Hartrigth, Marian and Villagers
- "I believe my heart (Reprise 2.)" - Hartright and Laura
- "Trying not to notice (Reprise.)" - Marian
Synopsis
PrologueOn a midnight train trip on the way to Limmeridge House as a drawing teacher, Walter Hartright sees a strange woman dressed entirely in white, apparently escaping from someone and urgent to share a terrible secret with him. The signalman, who is scared because although he saw no-one, it has been predicted that in a 'year to this day' that someone would be found dead on the railway track. "A man such as yourself", the signalman says. ("Prologue").
Act 1
Walter meets his new students: Marian Halcombe and her pretty half-sister Laura Fairlie, who is heir to the estate which includes Limmeridge House. ("Hope you like it here"). He tells them about his encounter, and they resolve to solve the mystery ("Perspective").
A love triangle develops as Walter and Laura quickly fall in love ("I believe my heart") but Marian also falls for Walter and those feelings are not reciprocated ("Trying Not To Notice"). The peasants on the Limmeridge Estate sing and dance to celebrate the harvest ("Lammastide"). A girl is excluded from the festival because her mother believes her to be 'telling tales'. She tells Hartright of a ghost of a woman in all white. Hartright goes to the graveyard where the child saw the 'ghost' and meets Anne Catherick who tells him her name and the name of the man who she is scared of: "Sir Percival Glyde" ("You see I am no ghost"). Marian tells Walter that Laura is engaged to a man of 'titled property': Sir Percival Glyde.
Later Sir Percival Glyde arrives at Limmeridge, pretending to be a long-standing friend to Marian. Glyde suggests that they move the wedding up from spring to Christmas and Laura eventually agrees.
Count Fosco, Glyde's friend and best man for the wedding, arrives and becomes attracted to Marian. After dinner Laura plays the piano; Fosco commends her skills and tells her not to hide them when Marian asks him about his own skills he modestly gives in and shows them something of his ego ("A gift for living well").
When questioned by Walter about Anne Catherick, Glyde tells him that she is mad. He mentions that he tried to help her, and she thinks that he is her enemy. Laura is reluctant to marry Glyde, but Marian encourages her to honor her father's dying wish. Walter receives all this news angrily and leaves for London but not before Laura returns a picture he drew of her back ("I Believe My Heart (Reprise)").
Laura and Glyde are married ("The Holly and the Ivy"). Anne Catherick decides to travel to Laura's side to help her, because she insists that Glyde 'knows no mercy'.
Marian moves into Blackwater House, Glyde's estate. Laura becomes angry and distrustful of Marian because her advice led her to marry a man whom she discovers to be a physically abusive husband (she reveals severe bruises across her chest and arms); he only wants her for her money, to pay off his debt. Marian is determined to free Laura from this ill-fated marriage ("All For Laura").
The next day, Glyde presents Laura with a document to sign, but he will not tell her its contents. Laura is immediately suspicious, and refuses to sign something she knows nothing about. Glyde is furious, but can not force her to sign the document. The girls go for a walk to calm down, and meet Anne Catherick. They witness Anne being taken back to the Asylum. They are then completely convinced that Glyde and his flamboyant Italian friend, Fosco are villains ("The document").
Laura and Anne realize how similar they are to each other ("Act 1 Finale").
Act 2
Marian eavesdrops on Sir Percival and Count Fosco, and overhears their evil plans to steal the Limmeridge Estate. She also overhears their plans for Anne Catherick, but Count Fosco figures out that he's being watched before he reveals anything important about the madwoman. He leaves the library to put Marian to bed ("If I Could Dream This World Away").
Marian, having gone to bed, starts to dream a montage of events that have occurred recently, mixed in with some noises. The noises, though not apparent to Marian, are actually Laura arguing and screaming ("The nightmare").
Marian shortly is woken up by Count Fosco, who tells her that Laura was walking in her sleep and fell out the window. Marian is quite shaken by the tragic news. Count Fosco, avoiding drama, heads off to his house in London. However, being infatuated with Marian, he gives her his address in case she needs anything ("Fosco Tells of Laura's Death"). At the village funeral Glyde suggests to Mr. Fairlie that they get to the papers that need to be attended to. In a show of grief Glyde tries to shake Marian's hand but she ignores him, but vowing revenge for her sister she heads to find Walter ("The Funeral").
In London, Walter has run out of money and gives his last coin to a beggar, now with only his memories left ("London"). Having heard the news through the grapevine of Laura's death, Walter expresses his grief at losing the love of his life. Coincidentally, Glyde, who is frustrated with paperwork, also shares Walter's feelings for Laura ("Evermore Without You").
Marian goes to London in search of Walter. She discovers a picture of Laura that Walter painted. The owner of the shop provides an address for him, and she finds him living in a rundown old home ("Lost Souls").
At first, he is very angry with her for sending him away, but when Marian makes a heartfelt plea, he joins Marian in her quest to learn the secret of Anne Catherick and avenge Laura's death. Marian believes that Anne's location is in a document that she witnessed Count Fosco sign the night she eavesdropped. Meanwhile, Glyde is happily betting the money that he has not yet received, which infuriates Fosco and leads to a split in their friendship. Marian and Walter are ready to leave for their visit to Count Fosco's. Marian is dressed specifically with the intent to use her feminine wiles against Fosco, which makes Walter suddenly realize his true feelings for her ("If Not For Me For Her").
Fosco, pleased with his part in the manipulation of everyone, gloats to himself and his pet mice ("You Can Get Away With Anything").
They both go to Count Fosco's home to retrieve the document. Count Fosco attempts to seduce Marian, not realizing that she is purposefully playing along. She sends him to the bathroom to shave as a diversion, whilst she searches for the document. She finds it, and discovers the location of Anne's asylum. When Count Fosco returns from the bathroom he discovers that Marian is visiting for another purpose. A rejected Count Fosco admits that if Marian was really interested in him, that he would have offered marriage and travel ("The Seduction").
Marian and Walter go to the asylum to get secret from Anne Catherick. However, when they arrive at Anne's cell, they find not Anne but Laura. Laura explains the conspiracy: Sir Percival Glyde put Laura in Anne's place at the asylum, killed Anne, then buried her in Laura's grave. In desperation the threesome head to Limmeridge House to try learn the secret from Mr. Fairlie, who knows more about Anne Catherick than he says he does ("The Asylum").
Meanwhile, Sir Percival Glyde has convinced Mr. Fairlie to give the Limmeridge Estate to him because he was married to Laura. Mr. Fairlie signs the document and Glyde goes off to catch a train.
Marian, Laura and Walter arrive at Limmeridge House after Glyde has left for the train. Mr. Fairlie reveals that Anne Catherick is in fact Laura's half-sister, and they look identical. Marian tells him of the conspiracy, but Mr. Fairlie sadly tells her that he already signed the document. The three run to the train to stop Glyde from getting away ("Back To Limmeridge").
While still in Anne's white clothing, Laura pretends to be Anne and attempts to haunt Glyde if he doesn't tell the truth about the secret. "I had to drown your bastard child!" he exclaims. Laura reads between the lines and figures out the Secret: Glyde had raped Anne, and drowned their child at Blackwater Lake. He tries to kill Laura to silence her, but then is run over by a train. The signalman's prediction comes true, but it is Glyde, not Walter, who lies dead on the tracks.
Walter and Laura are happily married, Walter inherits Limmeridge House, and Marian is left heartbroken ("Act 2 Finale").
Note:
Later in the original run (and subsequent Broadway production), Marian's heartbroken ending is interrupted to show that she goes with them and helps to take care of their children (this is inferred).
Casting
The principal original casts of the major productions of The Woman in White.| Character | Sydmonton Workshop | Original London Cast | Original Broadway Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marian Halcombe | Laura Michelle Kelly Laura Michelle Kelly Laura Michelle Kelly is an English actress and singer who achieved critical acclaim in the role of Mary Poppins in the musical of the same name.-Musical theatre:... |
Maria Friedman Maria Friedman Maria Friedman is an English actress working in television, musical theatre, and concerts. She has won three Olivier Awards for her stage work.-Early years:... |
Maria Friedman Maria Friedman Maria Friedman is an English actress working in television, musical theatre, and concerts. She has won three Olivier Awards for her stage work.-Early years:... |
| Count Fosco | Roger Allam Roger Allam Roger Allam is an English actor, known primarily for his stage career, although he has performed in film and television. He played Inspector Javert in the original London production of the stage musical Les Misérables.... |
Michael Crawford Michael Crawford Michael Crawford OBE is an English actor and singer. He has garnered great critical acclaim and won numerous awards during his career, which covers radio, television, film, and stagework on both London's West End and on Broadway in New York City... |
Michael Ball Michael Ball (singer) Michael Ashley Ball, born 27 June 1962) is a British actor, singer, and radio and TV presenter who is best known for the song "Love Changes Everything" and musical theatre roles such as Marius in Les Misérables, Alex in Aspects of Love, Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Edna Turnblad... |
| Anne Catherick | Jaime Farr | Angela Christian Angela Christian Angela Christian is an American theatre actress and singer. She was born in Alabama but grew up in Texas. She made her West End debut creating the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White, directed by Trevor Nunn, which she then reprised on Broadway... |
Angela Christian Angela Christian Angela Christian is an American theatre actress and singer. She was born in Alabama but grew up in Texas. She made her West End debut creating the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White, directed by Trevor Nunn, which she then reprised on Broadway... |
| Walter Hartright | Kevin McKidd Kevin McKidd Kevin McKidd is a Scottish television and film actor and director. Before playing the role of Owen Hunt in Grey's Anatomy, McKidd starred as Lucius Vorenus in the historical drama series Rome, and provided the voice of Captain John "Soap" Mactavish in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and the sequel... |
Martin Crewes Martin Crewes -Early life:Crewes was born in London. He moved to Australia when he was 10 years of age, and attended the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, in Perth. Other notable graduates of WAAPA include Hugh Jackman, Lisa McCune and Frances O'Connor... |
Adam Brazier |
| Laura Fairlie | Anne Hathaway Anne Hathaway (actress) Anne Jacqueline Hathaway is an American actress. After several stage roles, she appeared in the 1999 television series Get Real. She played Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries... |
Jill Paice Jill Paice Jill Paice is an American Broadway and theatre actress. Paice attended Beavercreek High School in Beavercreek, Ohio, graduating in 1998. She then attended Baldwin-Wallace College, graduating with a bachelor of music in 2002... |
Jill Paice Jill Paice Jill Paice is an American Broadway and theatre actress. Paice attended Beavercreek High School in Beavercreek, Ohio, graduating in 1998. She then attended Baldwin-Wallace College, graduating with a bachelor of music in 2002... |
| Sir Percival Glyde | Kevin Colson Kevin Colson Kevin Colson is an Australian stage, film and television actor best known for his portrayal of Sir George Dillingham in the musical Aspects of Love, for which he received a Tony nomination, and his early role as Cliff in the original London production of Cabaret opposite Judi Dench... |
Oliver Darley | Ron Bohmer |
| Mr Fairlie | Edward Petherbridge Edward Petherbridge Edward Petherbridge is a British actor. Among his many roles, he portrayed Lord Peter Wimsey in several screen adaptations of Dorothy L... |
Walter Charles Walter Charles Walter Charles is an American actor and singer.Charles made his Broadway debut in Grease in 1972... |
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| Corn Dolly Girl | Sophie Catherside Leah Verity White Sydney Rae White |
Justis Bolding Justis Bolding Justis Bolding is an American actress. She is known for her role as Sarah Roberts on One Life to Live .-Career:... |
Notable West End Replacements
- Marian Halcombe – Ruthie HenshallRuthie HenshallValentine Ruth Henshall , better known as Ruthie Henshall, is an English singer, dancer, and actress best known for her work in musical theatre. Henshall attended the Laine Theatre Arts school in Epsom, Surrey before making her first professional appearance on stage in 1986...
- Count Fosco – Michael BallMichael Ball (singer)Michael Ashley Ball, born 27 June 1962) is a British actor, singer, and radio and TV presenter who is best known for the song "Love Changes Everything" and musical theatre roles such as Marius in Les Misérables, Alex in Aspects of Love, Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Edna Turnblad...
, Anthony AndrewsAnthony Andrews-Life and career:Andrews was born in London, the son of Geraldine Agnes , a dancer, and Stanley Thomas Andrews, a musical arranger and musical conductor. He grew up in the North Finchley district of London...
, Simon CallowSimon CallowSimon Phillip Hugh Callow, CBE is an English actor, writer and theatre director. He is also currently a judge on Popstar to Operastar.-Early years:...
, David BurtDavid BurtDavid Burt is a British actor, known primarily for his many and wide-ranging West End performances.Burt recently starred as the flamboyant Count Fosco opposite Yvette Robinson in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Woman in White at the Palace Theatre and was featured as Captain Andy Hawks in Show Boat at...
Awards and nominations
Olivier Award- Best New Musical (Nominated)
- Best Actress in a Musical - Maria FriedmanMaria FriedmanMaria Friedman is an English actress working in television, musical theatre, and concerts. She has won three Olivier Awards for her stage work.-Early years:...
(Nominated) - Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical - Michael CrawfordMichael CrawfordMichael Crawford OBE is an English actor and singer. He has garnered great critical acclaim and won numerous awards during his career, which covers radio, television, film, and stagework on both London's West End and on Broadway in New York City...
(Nominated) - Best Set Design - William Dudley (Nominated)
- Best Sound Design (Win)
Whats On Stage Award
- Best Actress in a Musical - Maria Friedman (Win)
- Best Actor in a Musical - Martin Crewes (Nominated - Second place)
- Best Supporting Actress in a Musical - Angela Christian (Win)
- Best Supporting Actor in a Musical - Michael Crawford (Win)
- Best New Musical (Nominated - Second place)
- Best Director - London Calling - Trevor Nunn (Win)
- Best Set Designer - William Dudley (Win)
- Planet Hollywood Theatrical Event of the Year (Nominated)
Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
- Best Original Score (Nominated)
Outer Critics Circle Award
Outer Critics Circle Award
The Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on and Off-Broadway and were begun during the 1949-1950 theater season. The awards are decided upon by theater critics who review for out-of-town newspapers, national publications, and other media outlets...
- Outstanding New Broadway Musical (Nominated)
- Outstanding Costume Design - William Dudley (Nominated)
- Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical - Michael Ball (Nominated)
- Outstanding Lighting Design - Paul PyantPaul PyantPaul Pyant is a British lighting designer, whose designs have been featured in the West End, on Broadway and in opera houses around the world.-Life and career:...
(Nominated) - Outstanding Set Design - William Dudley (Nominated)
Theatre World Award
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award, first awarded for the 1945-46 season, is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway.-History:...
- Maria Friedman—Winner
External links
- Homepage of the Really Useful Group, Andrew Lloyd Webber's production company
- Homepage of the Musical
- Internet Broadway Database listing