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The Midnight GangOpening Date: Oct 13, 2018
Closing Date: Nov 3, 2018 Air date: Oct 25, 2018 Medium: TV/online Where to watch: Chichester Festival Theatre (April 30 - May 29, 2020 only) |
Stage Production Notes
Based on David Walliams book of the same name. A bang on the head during a cricket match at his boarding school has landed twelve-year-old Tom in the children’s ward of the spooky Lord Funt Hospital. Luckily, he’s not on his own with the child-hating Matron and the scary-looking Porter, George, Amber, Robin and Sally are in there too, and they’re not taking things lying down. When the lights go out and the clock strikes twelve, they’re off. But will they let new boy Tom join their forbidden midnight adventures through the hospital’s labyrinthine realm?
Actor and comedian David Walliams published his first children’s book, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008. It became a best-seller, and Walliams has since written 13 more books which have sold over 17 million copies, and been translated into 53 languages. Six titles have been adapted for the stage, including Gangsta Granny, Awful Auntie, Mr Stink, Billionaire Boy, The Boy in the Dress, and The Midnight Gang.
The Midnight Gang was published in 2016 and became an instant best-seller, topping the overall book charts in the UK for seven weeks.
In 2017, Chickenshed Theatre produced a play version, adapted and directed by Lou Stein.
The book adapted into a Christmas television special, which aired on BBC One in 2018 starring David Walliams, Oliver Zetterstrom, Alan Davis, Haydn Gwynne, Amit Shah, Mark Heap, and Jocelyn Jee Esien.
The musical version of The Midnight Gang, adapted by Bryony Lavery, and with music and lyrics by Joe Stilgoe opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre on October 13, 2018.
Keeping in the hospital theme, ushers and front of house staff wore white coats to greet audiences.
The Midnight Gang received generally positive reviews. Critics complimented Simon Higlett’s visually pleasing scenic design, and praised the spirited performances of the cast. Particular mentions went to child actor Cody Molko for his heroic portrayal of Tom, and grown-up Jennie Dale for her portrayal of the wicked matron, with critics favorably comparing her to Miss Trunchbull in Matilda or Miss Hannigan in Annie.
The Midnight Gang concluded its run at the Chichester Festival Theatre on November 3, 2018.
Based on David Walliams book of the same name. A bang on the head during a cricket match at his boarding school has landed twelve-year-old Tom in the children’s ward of the spooky Lord Funt Hospital. Luckily, he’s not on his own with the child-hating Matron and the scary-looking Porter, George, Amber, Robin and Sally are in there too, and they’re not taking things lying down. When the lights go out and the clock strikes twelve, they’re off. But will they let new boy Tom join their forbidden midnight adventures through the hospital’s labyrinthine realm?
Actor and comedian David Walliams published his first children’s book, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008. It became a best-seller, and Walliams has since written 13 more books which have sold over 17 million copies, and been translated into 53 languages. Six titles have been adapted for the stage, including Gangsta Granny, Awful Auntie, Mr Stink, Billionaire Boy, The Boy in the Dress, and The Midnight Gang.
The Midnight Gang was published in 2016 and became an instant best-seller, topping the overall book charts in the UK for seven weeks.
In 2017, Chickenshed Theatre produced a play version, adapted and directed by Lou Stein.
The book adapted into a Christmas television special, which aired on BBC One in 2018 starring David Walliams, Oliver Zetterstrom, Alan Davis, Haydn Gwynne, Amit Shah, Mark Heap, and Jocelyn Jee Esien.
The musical version of The Midnight Gang, adapted by Bryony Lavery, and with music and lyrics by Joe Stilgoe opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre on October 13, 2018.
Keeping in the hospital theme, ushers and front of house staff wore white coats to greet audiences.
The Midnight Gang received generally positive reviews. Critics complimented Simon Higlett’s visually pleasing scenic design, and praised the spirited performances of the cast. Particular mentions went to child actor Cody Molko for his heroic portrayal of Tom, and grown-up Jennie Dale for her portrayal of the wicked matron, with critics favorably comparing her to Miss Trunchbull in Matilda or Miss Hannigan in Annie.
The Midnight Gang concluded its run at the Chichester Festival Theatre on November 3, 2018.
Filmed Production Notes
The Midnight Gang was filmed by The Umbrella Rooms during its run at the Chichester Festival Theatre on October 25, 2018. The production was streamed live to children in Great Ormond Street Hospital, St Richard’s Hospital Chichester, Worthing Hospital and Chestnut Tree House Hospice near Arundel.
In response to the COVID-19 shutdown, Chichester Festival Theatre made The Midnight Gang available to stream for free via their website. The theatre also released Flowers for Mrs. Harris (April 9 - May 8, 2020) and Beauty and the Beast (May 21 - June 21).
The musical was captioned for D/deaf and hard of hearing audiences, and Polish-language captions were also provided. Blind and partially sighted audience members were also able to access an audio-introduction to help set the scene.
Online programs were available for purchase from the Chichester Festival Theatre website for £2.
Writing for The Guardian, Chris Wiegan noted that the recording was “fairly rudimentary” but concluded that The Midnight Gang was “Funny, touching and spirited…,[and] particularly suited to lockdown viewing with kids.” Writing for Love London Love Culture, Emma Clarendon agreed that the “funny and touching” production was “family friendly theatre…[and] there is definitely something for everyone to be found in it.”
The Midnight Gang is available to view for free via Chichester Festival Theatre from April 30 - May 29, 2020. Donations to support the theatre are encouraged.
The Midnight Gang was filmed by The Umbrella Rooms during its run at the Chichester Festival Theatre on October 25, 2018. The production was streamed live to children in Great Ormond Street Hospital, St Richard’s Hospital Chichester, Worthing Hospital and Chestnut Tree House Hospice near Arundel.
In response to the COVID-19 shutdown, Chichester Festival Theatre made The Midnight Gang available to stream for free via their website. The theatre also released Flowers for Mrs. Harris (April 9 - May 8, 2020) and Beauty and the Beast (May 21 - June 21).
The musical was captioned for D/deaf and hard of hearing audiences, and Polish-language captions were also provided. Blind and partially sighted audience members were also able to access an audio-introduction to help set the scene.
Online programs were available for purchase from the Chichester Festival Theatre website for £2.
Writing for The Guardian, Chris Wiegan noted that the recording was “fairly rudimentary” but concluded that The Midnight Gang was “Funny, touching and spirited…,[and] particularly suited to lockdown viewing with kids.” Writing for Love London Love Culture, Emma Clarendon agreed that the “funny and touching” production was “family friendly theatre…[and] there is definitely something for everyone to be found in it.”
The Midnight Gang is available to view for free via Chichester Festival Theatre from April 30 - May 29, 2020. Donations to support the theatre are encouraged.
The Midnight Gang PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Chichester Festival Theatre
Producer: Chichester Festival Theatre
Book: David Walliams
Adaptation: Bryony Lavery
Music and Lyrics: Joe Stilgoe
Director: Dale Rooks
Musical Director, Orchestrator, & Additional Music: Jennifer Whyte
Movement Director: Georgina Lamb
Scenic and Costume Design: Simon Higlett
Lighting Design: James Whiteside
Sound Design: Gregory Clarke
Stage Manager: Lou Bann
Cast:
Dickon Gough (Porter), Cody Molko (Tom), Lucy Vandi (Tootsie/Nurse Meese), Matthew Cavendish (Dr Luppers), Rafi Essex (George), Feliz Warren (Robin), Jasmine Sakyiama (Amber), Jennie Dale (Matron), Cerys Hill (Sally), Marilyn Cutts (Nelly/Dilly/Mrs Cod), Tim Magendran (Raj/Mr Thews)
Orchestra:
Jennifer Whyte (Musical Director/Piano/Keyboards), Tommy Andrews (Flute/Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Alto Sax), Nick Briggs (Trumpet/Piccolo Trumpet/Fluglehorn), Matt French (Drums/Percussion), Nick Laughlin (Double Bass/Bass Guitar)
Theatre: Chichester Festival Theatre
Producer: Chichester Festival Theatre
Book: David Walliams
Adaptation: Bryony Lavery
Music and Lyrics: Joe Stilgoe
Director: Dale Rooks
Musical Director, Orchestrator, & Additional Music: Jennifer Whyte
Movement Director: Georgina Lamb
Scenic and Costume Design: Simon Higlett
Lighting Design: James Whiteside
Sound Design: Gregory Clarke
Stage Manager: Lou Bann
Cast:
Dickon Gough (Porter), Cody Molko (Tom), Lucy Vandi (Tootsie/Nurse Meese), Matthew Cavendish (Dr Luppers), Rafi Essex (George), Feliz Warren (Robin), Jasmine Sakyiama (Amber), Jennie Dale (Matron), Cerys Hill (Sally), Marilyn Cutts (Nelly/Dilly/Mrs Cod), Tim Magendran (Raj/Mr Thews)
Orchestra:
Jennifer Whyte (Musical Director/Piano/Keyboards), Tommy Andrews (Flute/Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Alto Sax), Nick Briggs (Trumpet/Piccolo Trumpet/Fluglehorn), Matt French (Drums/Percussion), Nick Laughlin (Double Bass/Bass Guitar)
Sources
Articles
- Emma Clarendon, “REVIEW: The Midnight Gang, Chichester Festival Theatre (Online)” Love London Love Culture (May 8, 2020)
- Vicky Edwards, “Review: The Midnight Gang, Chichester Festival Theatre,” Frost Magazine (Oct 24, 2020)
- Henry Hitchings, “The Midnight Gang review: Anarchy and adventure ensue with David Walliams's plucky band,” The Standard (Oct 24, 2018)
- Barrie Jerram, “The Midnight Gang - Chichester Festival Theatre,” Musical Theatre Review (Oct 25, 2018)
- Dominic Maxwell, “Theatre review: The Midnight Gang at the Chichester Festival Theatre,” The Times (Oct 24, 2018)
- Molli Mitchell, “David Walliams’ The Midnight Gang cast: Who is in the cast of The Midnight Gang?” Express (Dec 26, 2018)
- The Newsroom, “The Midnight Gang, Chichester Festival Theatre, review: '˜Deserving of the standing ovation’” The Portsmouth News, (Oct 23, 2018)
- Fiona Scott, “BWW Interview: Joe Stilgoe Chats THE MIDNIGHT GANG, Chichester Festival Theatre at Home,” Broadway World (May 14, 2020)
- Bella Todd, “The Midnight Gang,” The Stage (Oct 24, 2018)
- Uncredited, “The Boy in the Dress at Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon – review round-up,” The Stage, (Dec 2, 2019)
- Chris Wiegland, “The Midnight Gang review – escape to Walliams' wonderland,” The Guardian (May 4, 2020)
- Rachel Wise, Watch David Walliams' The Midnight Gang musical online for free” Stage Chat (April 30, 2020)
- Alex Wood, “David Walliams' The Midnight Gang musical to be streamed online for free by Chichester Festival Theatre” Whats On Stage (April 27, 2020)
- Chichester Festival Theatre, “The Midnight Gang,” Accessed via: https://www.cft.org.uk/archive/the-midnight-gang
- London Theatre, “The Midnight Gang, The Chickenshed Theatre,” Accessed via: https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/the-midnight-gang
Written by Luisa Lyons (May, 2020)