The Hunting of the Snark (musical)

The Hunting of the Snark, is a musical - based on Lewis Carroll's poem - written by composer Mike Batt.

History

The musicalisation of "The Hunting of the Snark" started life as a concept album in 1984, featuring Art Garfunkel, John Hurt, Sir John Gielgud, Roger Daltrey, Deniece Williams, Captain Sensible, Julian Lennon, Justin Hayward and Cliff Richard with the London Symphony Orchestra.Later that year it was performed as a concert at the Barbican. Another (costumed) concert took place at the Royal Albert Hall, starring Billy Connolly as The Bellman and many performers recreating their roles from the concept recording.

In 1990 "The Hunting Of The Snark" was successfully presented as a dramatised concert in Australia, at Sydney's State Theatre with the Elizabethan Symphonia, and Philip Quast starring as the Bellman.

On 24th October 1991 the Snark, on a £2 million budget, opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre, with striking scenery and designs; 12,000 slides - projected from the 152 computer-linked projectors arranged around the theatre.Although the reviews praised "Bellman" Philip Quast and the visual concepts, the critics savaged the show and it closed its doors seven weeks later.

The show was revived in July 1995 at The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, with new songs and libretto. The production was produced by Ian Gude for Jolly Good Musical Productions, directed by Steve Morrell, and musical direction by Ian Gude.

ynopsis

"The Hunting of the Snark" tells the tale of several characters, who go off on a sea journey, searching for this mythical creature called "the Snark", what ever it may be, for the Snark is many different things to each of the characters.The Baker's uncle once told him, "If your Snark be a Boojum! ... You will softly and suddenly vanish away, And never be met with again!". Through this journey relationships develop, tensions rise and the Baker's worst nightmare comes true.;Act One
*Prologue
*Opening Titles
*Children Of The Sky
*Hymn To The Snark
*The Storm and Arrival
*Who'll Join Me On This Escapade?
*The Way We Think
*The Departure
*The Bellman's Speech
*Midnight Smoke
*The Trouble With You
*Dancing Towards Disaster;Act Two
*The Banker's Fate
*The Hunting
*Nursery Pictures
*Waiting For A Wave
*The Butchery Waltz
*Snooker Song
*The Pig Must Die
*More Trouble
*The Dismal and Desolate Valley
*A Delicate Combination
*As Long As The Moon Can Shine
*Yet More Trouble
*The Vanishing
*Whatever You Believe

Creative Team

*Mike Batt - Writer / Designer / Director
*Jamie Hayes - Co-Director
*Andrew Bridge - Lighting
*Jo-Anne Robinson - Choreographer
*Kim Baker - Associate Costume Designer
*Derek Healey - Projection Programming and Development
*John Delnero - Sound Designer
*Chris Slingsby - Audio Visual Supervisor

Original London Cast

*David McCallum, Lewis Caroll
*Kenny Everett, Billiard Marker
*Philip Quast, Bellman
*Mark McGann, Baker
*David Firth, Banker
*Veronica Hart, Beaver
*Peter Ledbury, Broker
*Allan Love, Barrister
*Gary Martin, Bishop
*John Partridge, Butcher
*Jae Alexander, Bandmaster / Associate Musical Director

External links

*Mike Batt's Official [http://www.mikebatt.com Website]
*The Hunting of The Snark at [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0216818/ IMDb]