Culture
From Stage To Screen And Back Again
stage introGreat films can become great plays, and moving plays can be turned into epic films – here’s our pick of the best movies and live productions that found success on both screen and stage.
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From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
parisAn American in Paris: Jazz legend George Gershwin’s masterpiece composition came to life in 1950 as one of the most famous film musicals ever, starring Gene Kelly. Bringing the story to Broadway was the natural next step – this time reimagined by choreographer and first-time director Christopher Wheeldon. Wheeldon brings a boldly unique blend of ballet, tap and modern dance to this classic story. Witness it for yourself on Broadway and in London. anamericaninparisbroadway.com, anamericaninparisthemusical.co.uk
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From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
sunsetSunset Boulevard: This classic noir film from Billy Wilder is widely considered one of Hollywood’s best ever. The fierce Gloria Swanson stars as a fading silent film star that tangles an unsuccessful screenwriter into her twisted plot to rise again. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical version of the celebrated film is coming to the West End at the end of April, starring Glenn Close. officialtheatre.com [Photo: Wikimedia Commons]
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From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
chicagoChicago: Bang bang! Brutal murders in the Prohibition-era Windy City inspired reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins to turn her front-page news stories into a play in 1926. It really took off after debuting in musical form on Broadway with a hot jazz score. Chicago is the longest running American musical in Broadway history, also currently running in London. The critically acclaimed film version helped cement its legacy in 2002. chicagothemusical.com, britishtheatre.com [Photo: Wikimedia Commons]
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From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
mamma miaMamma Mia: It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a musical made up of ABBA’s beloved hits is a huge success. First performed in London in 1999, it’s been getting people on their feet to dance ever since. Meryl Streep starred in the fun Hollywood film version in 2008 with international success. You can still see it for yourself at the Prince Edward Theatre where it debuted. mamma-mia.com
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Culture
From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
my fair ladyMy Fair Lady: George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion was musicalised and performed for the first time on Broadway in 1956 as My Fair Lady. The beloved Julie Andrews played the young Cockney flower seller Eliza Doolittle, opposite Rex Harrison. After huge success in New York and London, Rex Harrison brought his role to the silver screen alongside Audrey Hepburn in 1964.
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From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
bend itBend It Like Beckham: The little movie that could – Bend It Like Beckham was the British indie project written and directed by Gurinder Chadha that won over audiences in 2002. In what might be an unexpected move, Chadha has adapted her film for the stage as a modern British musical. It’s turning heads with its fresh blend of West End and Punjabi West London influences at the Phoenix Theatre. benditlikebeckhamthemusical.co.uk
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From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
hairsprayHairspray: It all started with cult filmmaker John Waters in 1988 and continued on stage in 2003 as a musical, winning eight Tony Awards. Its theme of breaking down barriers through music still rings true today – the second film (based on the stage version) was a hit in 2007. Good news: A live performance of Hairspray on NBC in the US is coming this December starring Jennifer Hudson as Motormouth Maybelle.
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From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
spamalotSpamalot: Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a lowbrow British comedy masterpiece very loosely based on the legend of King Arthur. The 1975 film helped ensure the comedy group’s status as comedic legends, and is still constantly quoted. Monty Python member Eric Idle eventually adapted the film into a musical, Spamalot, which won a Tony for Best Musical in 2005. The original Broadway cast starred Tim Curry as King Arthur.
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From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
war horseWar Horse: Originally a children’s novel by Michael Morpurgo, the author was bewildered when told War Horse was being adapted into a play in 2007. Luckily, with the help of incredible life-sized horse puppets from the Handspring Puppet Company, the story was brilliantly brought to life. A film of the same name directed by Stephen Spielberg also met with success in 2011. The play is currently on at the National Theatre. warhorseonstage.com [Photo: Flickr]
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Culture
From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
matildaMatilda: Believe it or not, Matilda came to cinemas 20 years ago this year. Based on a book by Roald Dahl, the film’s brave little hero continues to be loved by children and adults alike. Matilda the Musical was first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2011 and quickly won attention in the West End and on Broadway. matildathemusical.com
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Culture
From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
rocky horrorRocky Horror Picture Show: The Rocky Horror Show started out as a campy little production put on at the 63-seat Royal Court Theatre Upstairs starring Tim Curry. Richard O’Brien adapted his musical into a movie in 1975 – and the rest is history. It has one of the most unique cult followings ever associated with a film, with live shows combining the film with the original stage performance all over the world. rockyhorror.com
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Culture
From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
lion kingThe Lion King: The original epic musical film was produced during the ‘Disney Renaissance’, immediately becoming a Disney classic. The musical score by Hans Zimmer and lyrics from Elton John and Tim Rice set it apart, making the jump to the stage seem inevitable. The Lion King musical is one of the most successful shows ever, praised for both its music and beautiful costumes. lionking.com
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Culture
From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
producersThe Producers: A money scheme on Broadway and the search for the worst musical ever written – The Producers is a classic comedy film, and director Mel Brooks’ debut project. 33 years later, Brooks brought a stage version to Broadway that won a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards. The musical’s success in the US and UK in turn resulted in a second movie in 2005, bringing it full circle. [Photo: Wikimedia Commons]
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From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
school of rockThe School of Rock: Jack Black famously starred in this film about a rocking group of 4th graders and their substitute teacher in 2003. Andrew Lloyd Webber then turned it into a rock musical that had its Broadway debut in December 2015 at the Winter Garden Theatre – marking Webber’s return to that theatre after his 18-year run there with Cats. schoolofrockthemusical.com
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Culture
From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
mary poppinsMary Poppins: Like My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins first came to life with a brilliant performance by Julie Andrews. The 1964 Disney film was loosely based on a book series by British author P.L. Travers, telling the tale of a magical nanny. The musical version made its West End debut in 2004, combining elements of both the movie and original books. Mary Poppins is currently touring the UK. marypoppins.co.uk
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From Stage To Screen And Back Again.
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