“While dictators rage and statesmen talk, all Europe dances – to the Lambeth Walk” The Times, October 1938
The Festival Theatre foyer will be filled with Cockney slang for the exciting exhibition Me & My Girl and Stephen Fry, presented by Adelaide Festival Centre’s Performing Arts Collection from 22 October – 5 February.
Me & My Girl is one of the most successful West End musicals ever. This enduring ‘feel-good’ musical was first staged in 1937 at the Victoria Palace in London and starred Lupino Lane.
In 1983, Stephen Fry rewrote the book for the musical, which went on to have a hugely successful 8 year run in the West End. Richard Armitage, later to become Noel Gay, approached Stephen and asked if he would consider rewriting the dialogue and plot of the musical. Stephen was allowed to add other songs from the Noel Gay catalogue, and with this free rein he managed to shoehorn into the story both of the songs The Sun Has Got His Hat On and Leaning On A Lamp-Post.
This experience reignited Stephen’s passion for show business and carved a path that would help mould his formidable future: “In 1983 I was two years down from university and praying that show business would continue to hold me back from what I feared was my true vocation – teaching,…” Stephen said.
An Australian version of Me & My Girl was produced by Adelaide Festival Trust in 1994, Queensland Performing Arts Trust and John Nicolls Productions by arrangement with the Noel Gay Organisation. Opening on 6 January 1994 at the Festival Theatre, the show featured well-known South Australian performers Kevin Manser and Edwin ‘Teddy’ Hodgeman. The Performing Arts Collection exhibition includes original Pearly Royalty costumes, show programs, sheet music, photos, and memorabilia kindly donated by Edwin Hodgeman and the family of Kevin Manser, as well as pieces from the 1994 Adelaide production.
Performing Arts Collection Exhibition Coordinator Jo Peoples says: “Me & My Girl is simply a feel good, happy, show. This exhibition presents all the elements of what makes this show so great…and more”.
Born in Adelaide in 1929, Kevin Manser began his career in amateur theatre in the 1950s before moving to London in the 1960s. In a career that spanned four decades on stage, as well as in film, television and commercials, he worked alongside such greats as Marlon Brando, Charlie Chaplin and Sophia Loren. His TV credits included No.96, Homicide, Ben Hall, Chopper Squad, The Young Doctors, Prisoner, Bodyline, Vietnam and Mother & Son, but his most remarkable role was as the first ever Dalek in the original BBC TV’s hit production of Dr. Who.
Teddy Hodgeman is one of South Australia’s most distinguished actors, and was in the first intake of actors to graduate from NIDA in 1960. He moved to Canada to work with Stratford Ontario Company, before returning to Adelaide to perform as part of the newly created South Australian Theatre Company in 1965. Teddy is well known for creating the role of Ahmed in Jim Sharman’s production of Norm and Ahmed by Alex Buzo, as well as Dr Dealgood in Mad Max 111 with Mel Gibson and Tina Turner. More recently, Teddy played the role of the role of Ferapont in the State Theatre Company’s production of Three Sisters at the Dunstan Playhouse.
What: Me & My Girl and Stephen Fry presented by Adelaide Festival Centre’s Performing Arts Collection
When: 22 October 2011 – 5 February 2012
Venue: Festival Theatre foyer, Adelaide Festival Centre
Hours: 9am – 6pm Monday – Friday and performance times
Cost: FREE entry
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