Musical 2014 - The Hired Man

KMDS are pleased to announce that their 2014 musical production will be 'The Hired Man'.  A musical by Melvyn Bragg and Howard Goodall.

This year's production team is as follows:

Director: Philippa Alford

Musical Director: Michael Fay

Choreographer: Julie Donnelly

The Hired Man is a stimulating musical based on an early novel by Melvyn Bragg about rural and industrial life in Cumbria in the first part of this century.

The story follows the lives of an ordinary working couple, John and Emily. It follows their trials and hardships as John, a hired land worker, becomes a coalminer, volunteers for and survives The Great War and finally returns to the land.

Set against the backdrop of working class life in the North, with its traditions of whippet racing, Cumbrian wrestling, fell hunting with dogs and drinking, it evokes a way of life which was to change for ever in the aftermath of The First World War.

Strong though the storyline is, what makes this show outstanding is Howard Goodall's superb musical score.  Strong and vigorous, the score has a marvellous succession of duets, solos, choruses and energetic rhythms.

Goodall, is well known for his TV work including the theme music for The Vicar of Dibley, Mr Bean and Red Dwarf.

First produced in 1984, by Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Hired Man ran for 164 performances in the West End and ran for a season off Broadway. Highly acclaimed it won the Ivor Novello award for Best musical and received four Oliver Award nominations.

For more background information on 'The Hired Man', please click here on the link below.

We are delighted to announce our Cast:

John ~ Peter Manning

Emily ~ Sharon Murphy

Jackson ~ Eddie Brady

Issac ~ James Paradise

Seth ~ Eamonn Nolan

Sally ~ Lorraine Murphy

May ~ Beth DuBerry

Harry ~ Conor Griffin

Landlady ~ Linda Tapley

Blacklock ~ Bert Carruthers

Tom ~ Shane Fox

Dan ~ Kenny Cribbin 

The History behind the musical                                Rehearsal Schedule