003 - 'SOMEONE LIKE YOU' (Strand Theatre 1990) - Featuring Dee Shipman, Dave Willetts, Petula Clark

In this special episode of the Stage Door podcast the spotlight falls on 'Someone Like You', the 1989 / 1990 British musical.

'Someone Like You' is a musical with lyrics by Dee Shipman, music by Petula Clark and a book by Robin Midgley and Fay Weldon.

Based on a concept developed by Clark over a period of several years, it is set in West Virginia immediately after the end of the Civil War. Originally entitled 'Amen', it was conceived as a dark view of the difficulties Southerners faced dealing with carpetbaggers during the Reconstruction period, and also dealt with the problems of morphine-addicted Confederate soldiers returning home. It lost many of its serious overtones as the project evolved; Clark and Shipman's original book was revised substantially by Weldon, who also contributed the new title.

Directed by Midgley, the musical premiered on October 25, 1989 at the Cambridge Arts Theatre in Cambridge, and in his review in the Cambridge Evening News, Alan Kersey wrote, "Petula Clark proved last night at the world premiere of 'Someone Like You' that she can still work wonders both on stage and in the tough real world of show business." The production toured the UK until December 9 1989.

On March 22, 1990, 'Someone Like You' transferred to the Strand Theatre in London's West End. In addition to Clark, it starred Dave Willetts ('The Phantom of the Opera', 'Les Miserables') as the Major and Clive Carter as Kane. Reviews were mixed, although most critics praised Clark's performance and her contribution to the score.

Due to financial difficulties faced by producer Harold Fielding, all his assets were seized, and the show closed without warning after the April 25 performance. Although an original cast album was never released at the time, Clark's recordings of several of the songs have been issued on various CDs throughout the ensuing years.

The programme features interviews with Dee Shipman and Dave Willetts and an archive interview with Petula Clark from March 1990. The programme also features excerpts from previously unheard rehearsal takes performed by Dave Willetts. 

Produced and presented by Tim Hutton for Stage Door Records with thanks to John Craig at First Night Records, Dee Shipman, Paul Jacobs and Dave Willetts.

Recommended Links:

First Night Records
Dee Shipman
Dave Willetts

Recommended Listening:

Someone Like You EP (First Night Records)

Dee Shipman - She Isn't Me (Stage Door Records)

Steve Barton - Only For A While (Stage Door Records)

Dave Willetts - Once In A Lifetime (Stage Door Records)