Heathcliff (musical)

"Heathcliff" was the brain child of singer Cliff Richard based loosely on the novel "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë, though focusing only on the character of Heathcliff and adapting the story to fit in with the staging and production. Much of the story bears little resemblance to the sequence of events in the novel.

The music is by John Farrar and lyrics are by Sir Tim Rice.

The idea for "Heathcliff" was born in 1994 and much of the year was taken up in the production of this venture that was very close to Cliff’s heart. The opening was scheduled for the autumn of 1996.

"Heathcliff" opened in March 1996, amongst great interest from the world’s media about Cliff playing the dark and evil character. Many speculated that Cliff could not carry off such a man but some claim Cliff proved everyone wrong and played Heathcliff with his heart and soul, enjoying the chance to be ‘so wicked’! Ticket sales box office records were again broken by Cliff and this show. "Heathcliff - The Tour" started in Birmingham. Singles for the year were "The Wedding" (40) , a duet with Helen Hobsen.

"Heathcliff" continued touring until it finally closed at The Labatts Apollo in London in May 1997. The video of the show stayed at the top of the charts for 8 weeks. [cite web|url=http://www.cliff-guaranteed.co.uk/Biography.htm|title=The Cliff Richard Fan Club ]

Story

Heathcliff is a British musical that was shown on television and performed in 1996-1997 at the Hammersmith Apollo and the Birmingham NIA. It starred popular singer Cliff Richard as Heathcliff, a gypsy child who was brought to a farm house by Mr Earnshaw. However, Mr Earnshaw's son, Hindley (Jimmy Johnston), took an instant dislike to Heathcliff whereas Cathy (Helen Hobson) became great friends with him.As time went on, Cathy became friends with the Lintons, a rich family living near Wuthering heights. This changed her and she grew apart from Heathcliff and looked down on him. She agreed to marry Edgar Linton (Darryl Knock) and this upset Heathcliff so he travelled abroad and returned extremely wealthy. By this time, Hindley has become a drunk who still protests his hatred for Heathcliff and they fight and gamble with Heathcliff winning Wuthering Heights. He then marries Edgar's sister, Isabella (Sara Haggerty) because he wanted to inherit the Lintons' house when Edgar died. However, he clearly does not love her and abuses her. The story ends where Cathy dies on the moors in Heathcliff's arms and she confesses her love for him. Heathcliff is tormented for years and eventually dies himself, meeting Cathy again in the afterlife.

References to "Wuthering Heights"

The story is clearly taken from "Wuthering Heights", although it focusess on only a small part. All of the dialogue in the show is from the original book but some parts were swapped around to suit the manner in which it was being performed.

Musical numbers

* A Misunderstood Man
* Sleep of the Good
* Gypsy Bundle
* The Grange Waltz
* Each to His Own
* Had To Be
* Mrs. Edgar Linton
* The Journey
* When You Thought of Me
* Dream Tomorrow
* Gambling Song
* I Do Not Love You Isabella
* Choosing When It's Too Late
* Madness of Cathy
* Marked with Death
* Be With Me Always
* The Nightmare [cite web|url=http://www.sir-cliff.com/hvideo1.html|title=The Sir Cliff Richard Home Page: Heathcliff]

References

External links

*imdb title|0284177|Heathcliff