Coram Boy

Coram Boy

Coram Boy is a very successful children's novel by Jamila Gavin. Published in 2000, it won Gavin a Whitbread Children's Book Award.[1] The story follows a wide range of characters, from the rich Alexander Ashbrook to Toby, a young boy saved from an African slave ship, as their lives become closely involved with an authentic episode of British social history. It is an epic adventure which sheds light on a hidden part of the eighteenth century, cruelty to children. The innovative work of the Foundling Hospital continues today and is carried out by the charity that still bears the founder's name, Coram.[2]

Stage adaptation

The book was adapted for the stage by Helen Edmundson,with music by Adrian Sutton, and played for two runs on the Olivier Stage at the National Theatre in 2005-2006 and 2006–2007,[3] also having a brief Broadway production in 2007.[4]

Coram Boy was nominated for four Olivier Awards[5] in 2006: for Best New Play (Helen Edmundson), Best Director (Melly Still), Best Sound Design (Christopher Shutt), and Best Performance in a Supporting Role (Paul Ritter). The play received a number of Tony Award,[6] Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award[7] nominations, and a Theatre World Award for Xanthe Elbrick in 2007.[8]

Coram Boy was re-staged in 2011 by Bristol Old Vic at Colston Hall, again directed by Melly Still, and featuring a cast, choir and orchestra from around Bristol.

Footnotes