Two different roads to new musicals in 2011 London: London Road and Road Show

Whitfield, S. K. (2012) Two different roads to new musicals in 2011 London: London Road and Road Show. Studies in Musical Theatre, 5 (3) pp. 305-314. ISSN 1750-3159 (print) 1750-3167 (online)

Abstract

London Road, a collaboration between documentary playwright Alecky Blythe, composer Adam Cork and director Rufus Norris, opened at the National Theatre in April 2011. Road Show, by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman, directed by John Doyle, opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory in July 2011 (a transfer of the 2008 New York production). This article explores their production histories, considering the relationships to historical events within both performance texts, and the intricate relationship between content and form in both cases. It briefly discusses the questions of place that impact upon both the performance texts and the material spaces of production and reception. Finally, it considers the relationship between these works and the 'imagined Broadway musical', in the context of what both pieces represent for musical theatre production in contemporary London.

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