Half A Sixpence: Original Demo Recordings / O.C.R. Half A Sixpence: Original Demo Recordings / O.C.R. CD

Half A Sixpence' is considered one of the most iconic and enduring British musicals of the 20th Century. The musical adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel 'Kipps' featured music and lyrics by David Heneker and book by Beverley Cross and opened at London's Cambridge Theatre in March 1963 starring Tommy Steele as Arthur Kipps. On March 21st 1962 (exactly one year before the show opened in the West End) the studio demo recordings for 'Kipps' (the then working title for the show) were recorded at London's Olympic Studios. Featuring on the demo recordings were Tommy Steele, Rita Williams, Roy Sone (Tommy Steele's understudy in the Original London production), Joanna Rigby and writers David Heneker and Beverley Cross. Backed by the Kenny Powell Trio, the studio demos effectively capture the magic of David Heneker's classic score and feature many of the stand out numbers from the musical including 'If The Rain's Got To Fall', 'Money To Burn' and 'Half A Sixpence'. The recordings also highlight several songs which would later be cut from the show and provide a fascinating insight into the development of the musical.

1. Ladies Wear - Roy Sone 2. Mr. Shalford's Drapery Emporium - Rita Williams, Joanna Rigby 3. All in the Cause of Economy - Tommy Steele, Beverley Cross, David Heneker, Rita Williams Singers 4. Half a Sixpence - Roy Sone, David Heneker 5. We Don't Like Not to Be Engaged - Rita Williams, Joanna Rigby 6. If You Dress Like Mr. Pearce - Rita Williams, Joanna Rigby 7. Pure Coincidence - Beverley Cross 8. Money to Burn - Tommy Steele, Rita Williams Singers 9. The Oak and the Ash - Joanna Rigby, Rita Williams Singers 10. She's Too Far Above Me - Tommy Steele 11. I'm Not Talking to You - Rita Williams, Beverley Cross 12. If the Rain's Got to Fall - Tommy Steele, Rita Williams Singers 13. The Old Military Canal - Rita Williams Singers 14. The One Who's Got Away - Tommy Steele, Beverley Cross 15. Long Ago - Rita Williams 16. How Fashionable and Amusing - Rita Williams Singers 17. I'll Build a Palace / I Only Want a Little House - Tommy Steele, Rita Williams, Roy Sone, Rita Williams Singers 18. How Fashionable and Amusing - David Heneker 19. I Don't Believe a Word of It - David Heneker 20. Flash, Bang, Wallop! - Paul Rich 21. Long Ago - Leoni Page 22. Half a Sixpence - Paul Rich, Leoni Page 23. She's Too Far Above Me - Paul Rich 24. If the Rain's Got to Fall - Paul Rich 25. Beverley Cross Narrates 'Half a Sixpence'