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Denis King

DENIS KING

  
Nationality:    English
email:    Click here to contact     Website:    Click here

Literary Agent:    Macnaughton Lord Representation (Theatrical and Literary Agents)  

Denis King was born in Hornchurch, Essex and began his musical career at the age of six as a banjo-playing singer at children's matinees. By the age of thirteen, he was part of one of the most successful British pop groups of the 50s and 60s, the King Brothers. With the disbanding of the group in 1968, he studied orchestration at the Guildhall School of Music in London and soon got his first break as a television composer with the theme for Black Beauty, which won the Ivor Novello award. To date, he has created themes and incidental music for over two hundred television series including We'll Meet Again, Dick Turpin, Hannay, Wish Me Luck and Lovejoy. His debut as a theatrical composer was with the Royal Shakespeare's production of Privates On Parade (book and lyrics by Peter Nichols) which won the Ivor Novello award for Best Musical. Other Theatre productions include Bashville (with Benny Green), first produced at the Regent's Park Open air Theatre, Valentine's Day (with Benny Green), Lost Empires and Worzel Gummidge (with Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall), and Wind In The Willows, Treasure Island (with Willis Hall), Stepping Out - the Musical (book by Richard Harris and lyrics by Mary Stewart-David), Baby On Board (book and lyrics by Mary Stewart-David), a Saint She Ain't (book and lyrics by Dick Vosburgh), Whenever and Orvin (book and lyrics by Alan Ayckbourn). as a performer, he has appeared with Maureen Lipman in her successful stage show Re:Joyce, and with Dick Vosburgh in their revue Sing Something Silly. Autobiography: Key Changes: A Musical Memoir [CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (14 July 2015)]

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below is a list of Denis King's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         Awakening Beauty         Baby On Board         Bashville         Lost Empires         One Night A Week         Orvin - Champion Of Champions         Privates On Parade         Saint She Ain't, A         Stepping Out - the Musical         That Old Feeling         Treasure Island         Valentine's Day         Whenever         Wind In the Willows         Words And Music         Worzel Gummidge

Awakening Beauty

Awakening Beauty
ever wondered what else happened to Sleeping Beauty when she finally woke up in the 21st century? Alan ayckbourn provides the answer with this alternative seasonal fare in the musical awaking Beauty. the Prince awakens Princess aurora and the eager, happy young couple are about to embark on their first night of passionate love when ugly, unloved Carabosse, the wicked witch, butts in having taken a fancy to the Prince. But which one will be the awaking Beauty? Love, lust, triplets and the ultimate in makeovers are just some of the milestones our heroes and heroines must pass before they can all live happily ever after.

Notes:
Words by Alan Ayckbourn, music by Denis King

1st Produced:

Organisations:
alan ayckbourn

1st Published:
Samuel French, London >>>   978-0573180026

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Baby On Board

Synopsis:
TOBY is ten months old - going on forty-five. He can't talk yet, but he's got a lot to say - about the state of his parents' marriage, and his relationship with a woman four times his age - his sister INDIa. Of course no one can hear what TOBY really thinks - except us. This is the story of twelve months in the life of MeL and HILLaRY BROWN as observed and interpreted by their pre-school children

Notes:
Book & Lyrics by Mary Stewart-David; Music by Denis King

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  4            Other:  chorus

Further Reference:
-

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Bashville

Synopsis:
a classy and clever musical send-up of just about everything from english class structure to Shakespeare, based on George Bernard Shaw's one-act satirical play "the admirable Bashville"-itself a burlesque of his own novel about boxing "Cashel Byron's Profession". Green and King have found a formula derived from small scale musical comedy which admirably matches the mood of inflated emotions, preposterous rhetoric, and romantic declamations

Notes:
Book & lyrics by Benny Green And David William; Music by Denis King

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  10            Female:  2            Other:  many extras

Further Reference:
-

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Lost Empires

Synopsis:
adapted from J.B. Priestley's great backstage saga, set in the dying music halls just prior to World War I. the story of young Richard Herncastle, who goes to work for his uncle, the illusionist Ganga Dun, and learns along the way a lot more than he's expecting to about vanishing ladies, sex, showbusiness, and warfare. the score is redolent of greasepaint and bad digs and Scunthorpe first house on a Monday night, and conjures up a lost world of music hall in deep and utter authenticity.

Notes:
Book & lyrics by Keith Waterhouse & Willis Hall, Music by Denis King

1st Produced:
Cambridge Theatre Company, Cambridge    1985

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  15            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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One Night A Week

One Night A Week
a revised version of the hit musical Stepping Out, this good-natured comedy from Richard Harris chronicles several months in the life of a beginning dance class. each of the eight students, who come from a variety of backgrounds, has his or her own reason for joining. For instance, Maxine, a confident, fast-talking saleswoman (and former Ovaltine dancer), is there on doctor's orders, while self-sacrificing andy participates because it is the only thing she does for herself. Whatever the cause, they make a point of coming every week to chat, relax and, if they can manage to, learn a couple of dance steps. Led by Mavis, their eternally patient instructor, and accompanied by the acerbic pianist Mrs. Fraser, the students (who range from hopeless to competent) strive to master the basics of dance. But the steps and routines are just the background for the real focus of the play - the relationships and interactions of these ten very different people. By their final performance, not only have the class members developed some degree of skill, but they have also overcome the inhibitions, awkwardness and personality conflicts that have kept them out of sync.

Notes:
Book by Richard Harris, Lyrics by Mary Stewart-David, And Music by Denis King

1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, Inc - New York (2011)   978-0573699078

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  9            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Orvin - Champion Of Champions

Synopsis:
an epic musical tale of accidental heroism. the chorus of gods sets out to relate the tale of the Great Ulmar, legendary warrior and champion of Sollistis. But their narrative suffers a major technical hitch when Orvin, Ulmar's hopeless squire, oversleeps on the eve of battle. What follows proves a challenge even to such seasoned story tellers as the gods themselves as they vainly attempt to re-write history with only the help of Orvin, the unlikeliest, most reluctant of last minute replacement champions. (Copy from the Stephen Joseph theatre brochure summer 2004)

Notes:
written By Alan Ayckbourn And Dennis King

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Faber and Faber, London, 2003   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  12            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Privates On Parade

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
Book & lyrics by Peter Nichols, Music by Denis King

1st Produced:

Organisations:
RSC

1st Published:
Samuel French, London,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  10            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Saint She Ain't, A

Synopsis:
Los Angeles in the 1940s - anna wishes to defy her Father and marry a tap-dancing sailor called Danny. Complications and cross-purposes ensue when Mr. and Mrs. Bogle (not a million miles away from W.C. Fields and Mae West) get in on the act. Mayhem and madness abound with mistaken identities, crazy complications, snappy songs, and non-stop laughter. This witty, literate pastiche is simply a delight

Notes:
Book & lyrics by Dick Vosburgh, Music by Denis King. Transferred to Apollo theatre, London 1999; Original Cast Album - First Night Records

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Weinbergers,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Stepping Out - the Musical

Synopsis:
Following the success of the play "Stepping Out", Richard Harris has combined the talents of lyricist Mary Stewart-David and composer Denis King to create a heart-warming toe-tapping new musical following the familiar story of the loves and laughs of a group of women (and one man) attending a weekly tap class in a dingy church hall. as the play unfolds, the songs delicately highlight the troubles and personalities of each if the characters: Mavis the ex-professional dancer, who runs the class; bubbly Sylvia; nervous andy; snobby but well-meaning Vera; confident attractive Maxine; fat, plain Lynne, who is very serious about dancing; anxious Dorothy; larger than life Trinidadian Rose, and Geoffrey, the lone widowed male. accompanied on the piano by the lugubrious Mrs Fraser, the tappers improve, so much so that the show climaxes with a big glitzy final tap routine number.

Notes:
Lyrics by Mary Stewart-David; Book by Richard Harris; Music by Denis King

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Bill Kenwright Ltd

1st Published:
Samuel French Cast album First Night Records, 2001   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  9            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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That Old Feeling

Synopsis:
excursions to a ballroom dancing club

Notes:
Musical By Richard Harris And Denis King

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Treasure Island

Synopsis:
Robert Louis Stevenson's timeless seafaring tale of desert-island skulduggery and adventure which has delighted readers for generations--is brought to the stage in a lively musical adaptation which sacrifices none of the excitement of the story. Young Jim Hawkins' encounters with Long John Silver, Blind Pew, Ben Gunn and the pirates make you shiver your timbers (matey).

Notes:
Book & Lyrics by Willis Hall, Music by Denis King

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  19            Female:  2            Other:  extras

Further Reference:
-

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Valentine's Day

Synopsis:
adapted from by George Bernard Shaw's bright and frivolous comedy, "You Never Can Tell" , this a warm, buoyant, musical play, faithful to Shaw, sophisticated and witty, and never takes itself too seriously. Valentine, the hero, a likeable and self-deprecating romantic dentist, falls for the beautiful Gloria, a confirmed feminist, much farcial activity ensues, all of it under the all-seeing avuncular eye of William the head waiter.

Notes:
Book by Benny Green & David William, Music by Denis King. Transferred to the Globe, London, September 1992

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  7            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Whenever

Synopsis:
Whenever is ideal Christmas and New Year entertainment for all the family. This fast-moving spectacular fuses Alan ayckbourn's thrilling story with the inspriational music of composer Denis King on their first full length musical collaboration. In i886, nine-year-old emily Bonny, fleeing for her life, climbs aboard her uncle's amazing new time machine. Her journey is to take her to the end of time itself, and in the process change not only her own but all our lives forever!

Notes:
book And lyrics by Alan Ayckbourn, music by Denis King

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Music published by Samuel French, Libretto by Faber, 2002   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical adventure

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  4            Other:  doubling, flexible

Further Reference:
-

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Wind In the Willows

Synopsis:
the first full-scale stage musical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's book brought vividly to life as one moves into the magical world of the River Bank, inhabited by Ratty, Mole, Badger, and of course, Toad. an enchanting show, whether taken as an allegorical look at human foibles seen through the lives of animals-or just accepted for it's magical fairytale qualities.

Notes:
Book & lyrics by Willis Hall, Music by Denis King. Transferred to Sadler's Wells theatre, London, 1985

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  13            Female:  2            Other:  many extras

Further Reference:
-

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Words And Music

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
Benny Green, Denis King And friends

1st Produced:
Ambassadors', London    1984

Organisations:
Theatre of Comedy Company

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Worzel Gummidge

Synopsis:
a family musical of comic charm, vivacity, and snappy tunes. Based on the popular characters created by Barbara euphan Todd, we enter the quirky enchanting world of Scatterbrook Farm's waspish but lovable rascal, the scarecrow Worzel Gummidge. Poor Worzel has fallen in love; he wants a wife to make him nice cups of tea and slices of cake-but he's picked the wrong girl, aunt Sally, the stuck-up wooden-top mopsy doll who talks "lah-di-dah fluently," dreams of marrying a prince, and certainly would never lower herself to marry pongy, ugly, old Worzel-until, that is, she sees how brave he can be and falls for his charm.

Notes:
Book & lyrics by Keith Waterhouse And Willis Hall, Music by Denis King. Transferred to the Cambridge theatre, London, 1981

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London,    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  11            Female:  4            Other:  1b 1g extras

Further Reference:
-

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