Only the Brave
Based on true stories, Only the Brave follows Captain John Howard and Lieutenant Denholm Brotheridge, and their wives Joy and Maggie, as the soldiers prepare for the D-Day landings.
Stage Production Notes
Composer Matthew Brind and Steve Coleman began work on Only the Brave in 1999. The pair were inspired by Saving Private Ryan and stories told by Brind’s grandfather who had fought on the beach on D-Day.
Only the Brave premiered in a 75-minute version at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2008, running from July 31 to August 25 at the George Square Theatre. The cast featured Keith Jack and Niamh Perry, both of whom had gained notoriety after appearing in reality tv shows Any Dream Will Do and I’d Do Anything.
The musical received mixed reviews. WhatsOnStage critic Terri Paddock stated “It's truly stirring stuff… deeply moving and imminently watchable,” while Broadway World’s Robert Gould noted "If you are a discerning fan of serious musical theatre then perhaps a more apt phrase would be 'only the brave should come’." Fringe Guru’s Craig Thompson concurred with Gould, stating it was “just a boring musical.” Writing for The Telegraph, Mark Monahan was a little kinder, noting the musical felt like a West End try-out, and “the story moves with a mission.”
A cast recording was released in 2008.
After eight years in development, Only the Brave received a full-length production the Donald Gordon Theatre at the Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) in March 2016. It was WMC’s first main stage co-production, and the first major musical to be developed in Wales.
The production featured Welsh performers David Thaxton and Caroline Sheen, along with a real-life World War II veteran, Peter Davies, playing the role John Howard Senior.
In contrast to the Edinburgh Fringe, the new production received almost universally glowing reviews. Critics praised the moving way the creative team handled the epic story, and the clever projections and set design. Several writers also favorably compared the musical style to Les Miserables.
Although The Stage’s Rosemary Waugh found the performances of the cast to be “accomplished,” she found “a lack of distinction between much of the music,” and the show overall to be uneven. Writing for The Reviews Hub, Jacqui Onions praised Rachel Wagstaff’s beautiful writing, and Steve Marmion’s fluid and clever direction, while Wales Arts Review critic Jemma Beggs enthused that the musical "has the aura of one of the established greats whilst still feeling fresh and contemporary.” In his review for Get the Chance, James Briggs noted summarized it was "a truly prodigious, outstanding musical and a pleasure to watch.”
Composer Matthew Brind and Steve Coleman began work on Only the Brave in 1999. The pair were inspired by Saving Private Ryan and stories told by Brind’s grandfather who had fought on the beach on D-Day.
Only the Brave premiered in a 75-minute version at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2008, running from July 31 to August 25 at the George Square Theatre. The cast featured Keith Jack and Niamh Perry, both of whom had gained notoriety after appearing in reality tv shows Any Dream Will Do and I’d Do Anything.
The musical received mixed reviews. WhatsOnStage critic Terri Paddock stated “It's truly stirring stuff… deeply moving and imminently watchable,” while Broadway World’s Robert Gould noted "If you are a discerning fan of serious musical theatre then perhaps a more apt phrase would be 'only the brave should come’." Fringe Guru’s Craig Thompson concurred with Gould, stating it was “just a boring musical.” Writing for The Telegraph, Mark Monahan was a little kinder, noting the musical felt like a West End try-out, and “the story moves with a mission.”
A cast recording was released in 2008.
After eight years in development, Only the Brave received a full-length production the Donald Gordon Theatre at the Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) in March 2016. It was WMC’s first main stage co-production, and the first major musical to be developed in Wales.
The production featured Welsh performers David Thaxton and Caroline Sheen, along with a real-life World War II veteran, Peter Davies, playing the role John Howard Senior.
In contrast to the Edinburgh Fringe, the new production received almost universally glowing reviews. Critics praised the moving way the creative team handled the epic story, and the clever projections and set design. Several writers also favorably compared the musical style to Les Miserables.
Although The Stage’s Rosemary Waugh found the performances of the cast to be “accomplished,” she found “a lack of distinction between much of the music,” and the show overall to be uneven. Writing for The Reviews Hub, Jacqui Onions praised Rachel Wagstaff’s beautiful writing, and Steve Marmion’s fluid and clever direction, while Wales Arts Review critic Jemma Beggs enthused that the musical "has the aura of one of the established greats whilst still feeling fresh and contemporary.” In his review for Get the Chance, James Briggs noted summarized it was "a truly prodigious, outstanding musical and a pleasure to watch.”
Filmed Production Notes
The Wales Millennium Centre production was filmed by AdVision TV for archival purposes in April 2016.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, WMC released the film on Vimeo for viewers to watch for free in April 2020.
The Wales Millennium Centre production was filmed by AdVision TV for archival purposes in April 2016.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, WMC released the film on Vimeo for viewers to watch for free in April 2020.
Only the Brave PRODUCTION CREDITS
Opening Date: March 28, 2016
Closing Date: April 2, 2016
Air date: April 3, 2020
Medium: online
Where to watch: Vimeo
Theatre: Donald Gordon Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre
Producer: Birdsong Productions - Jon Woodley, Daniel Sparrow Productions - Daniel Sparrow, Wales Millennium Centre - Sarah Jane Leigh & Maris Lyons, with Soho Theatre - David Luff
Book: Rachel Wagstaff
Music and Orchestrations: Matthew Brind
Director and Lyrics: Steve Marmion
Musical Director and Conductor: Greg Arrowsmith
Choreography: Alistair David
Set and Costume Design: Michael Vale
Lighting Design: Malcolm Rippeth
Sound Design: Chris Full
Video Design: Dick Straker
Stage Manager: D H Taylor
Cast:
David Thaxton (Captain John Howard)
Caroline Sheen (Joy Howard)
Neil Mcdermott (Lieutenant Denham Brotheridge)
Emilie Fleming (Maggie Brotheridge)
Graham Mcduff (General Gale/Major Von Luck)
Helen Hobson (Madame Vion)
Nikki Mae (Isabelle/Henny)
Rebecca Craven (Jenny)
Moyo Akandé (Nurse/Sally)
Karl Queensborough (Tony Baines)
Thomas Aldridge (Wally Parr)
Max Bowden (Charlie Eckhart/Private Brandt)
Gwydion Rhys (Davey Lawrence/Lieutenant Whatley)
Steffan Lloyd-Evans (Jim Wallwork/Hauptman Muller)
David Albury (Billy Gray)
Opening Date: March 28, 2016
Closing Date: April 2, 2016
Air date: April 3, 2020
Medium: online
Where to watch: Vimeo
Theatre: Donald Gordon Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre
Producer: Birdsong Productions - Jon Woodley, Daniel Sparrow Productions - Daniel Sparrow, Wales Millennium Centre - Sarah Jane Leigh & Maris Lyons, with Soho Theatre - David Luff
Book: Rachel Wagstaff
Music and Orchestrations: Matthew Brind
Director and Lyrics: Steve Marmion
Musical Director and Conductor: Greg Arrowsmith
Choreography: Alistair David
Set and Costume Design: Michael Vale
Lighting Design: Malcolm Rippeth
Sound Design: Chris Full
Video Design: Dick Straker
Stage Manager: D H Taylor
Cast:
David Thaxton (Captain John Howard)
Caroline Sheen (Joy Howard)
Neil Mcdermott (Lieutenant Denham Brotheridge)
Emilie Fleming (Maggie Brotheridge)
Graham Mcduff (General Gale/Major Von Luck)
Helen Hobson (Madame Vion)
Nikki Mae (Isabelle/Henny)
Rebecca Craven (Jenny)
Moyo Akandé (Nurse/Sally)
Karl Queensborough (Tony Baines)
Thomas Aldridge (Wally Parr)
Max Bowden (Charlie Eckhart/Private Brandt)
Gwydion Rhys (Davey Lawrence/Lieutenant Whatley)
Steffan Lloyd-Evans (Jim Wallwork/Hauptman Muller)
David Albury (Billy Gray)
Sources
Articles
Websites
- Claire Allfree, "Only The Brave: A new D-Day musical lands with courage,” The Telegraph (March 31, 2016)
- Jemma Beggs, “Theatre | Only the Brave,” Wales Arts Review (April 4, 2016)
- James Briggs, “Review: Only the Brave, Wales Millennium Centre,” Get the Chance Wales (April 4, 2016)
- Christine Firkin, "Review – Only the Brave,” Live Theatre UK (March 31, 2016)
- Dr Emily Garside, “Only the Brave- Wales Millennium Centre,” The Nerdy Notebook (March 29, 2016)
- Robert Gould, "'Only The Brave' Fails to Thrill in Edinburgh,” Broadway World UK (Aug 22, 2008)
- Andrew Gans, "I'd Do Anything" Finalist Niamh Perry to Star in New Musical Only the Brave,” Playbill (Jun 19, 2008)
- Rachel Mainwaring, "X Factor composer Matthew Brind dreamed up new musical Only The Brave on a beach in Ibiza,” Wales Online (March 19. 2016)
- Rachel Mainwaring, "Only The Brave is a powerful wartime musical from the Wales Millennium Centre which should be seen globally,” Wales Online (April 1, 2016)
- Barbara Michaels, "Only the Brave – Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff,” Musical Theatre Review (April 1, 2016)
- Mark Monahan, “Edinburgh Festival 2008: Surviving Spike and Only the Brave,” The Telegraph (Aug 12, 2008)
- Jacqui Onions, "Only The Brave – Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff,”The Reviews Hub (April 1, 2016)
- Terri Paddock, “Only the Brave (Edinburgh)”, WhatsOnStage (Aug 3, 2008)
- Craig Thompson, “Only The Brave,” Fringe Guru (Aug 17, 2008)
- Unknown, "Only the Brave Review – 2nd April 2016, Wales Millennium Centre,” Whiplash Review (April 3, 2016)
- Rosemary Waugh, “Only the Brave,” The Stage (March 31, 2016)
- Alex Wood, "Only the Brave musical starring Caroline Sheen and David Thaxton released online for free,” Whats On Stage
Websites
- Wales Millennium Centre, “What we do: Artistic Programme: Only the Brave,” Accessed via: https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/what-we-do/artistic-programme/only-the-brave
- YouTube, “Recording the Cast Album - ONLY THE BRAVE,” Accessed via: https://youtu.be/7Fl1009owQE
Written by Luisa Lyons (April, 2020)