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Shaun McKenna

SHAUN MCKENNA

  (1957 - )
Nationality:    British
email:    Click here to contact     Website:    Click here

Literary Agent:    Berlin Associates  

Shaun McKenna is an award winning playwright, screenwriter and lyricist. His work includes Theatre plays and adaptations, musical Theatre (book and lyrics), Arena spectaculars and TV and film screenplays. Born in Kent, he was educated at Maidstone Grammar School and the University of Bristol. Awards include a DORA (Dora Mavor Moore award, Canada), a SOBOM Outstanding Achievement award, and an Olivier nomination for the Lord of the Rings, a Royal Television Society Award for Best Drama for One Small Step and a Prix Walo nomination for Johanna and Heidi. Shaun lives in Stratford upon Avon.

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

         Ben Hur Live         Dead Simple         Fever         Heidi         Heidi And Johanna         How Green Was My Valley         Killing Camille         La Cava The Musical         Ladies in Lavender         Lautrec         Lord Of the Rings, The         Maddie         Murder Mystery Musical         Perfect Murder, The         Perpetual Curate, The         Ruling Passions         To Serve them All My Days
Ben Hur Live

Synopsis:
massive arena event spectacle with a cast and crew of 400 and an army of animals

Notes:
From Novel By Lew Wallace. Music by Stewart Copeland

1st Produced:
O2 Arena, London     17 Sep 2009

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:
Adaptation

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Dead Simple

Synopsis:
Michael Harrison has it all; great career, great friends and a beautiful fianc?. But when his stag night prank goes horribly wrong, Michael finds himself left alone, buried alive and facing a terrifying death. As time runs out and the terror grows, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace investigates Michael's mysterious disappearance. But as the mystery deepens and he begins to unravel a tangled web of deceit, Grace begins to fear that Michael won't be found in time. . .

Notes:
adapted from the story by Peter james

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:
adaptation

Parts:
Male:  8            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Fever

Synopsis:
Another take on Zola's theRESE RAQUIN, set in Brighton in the mid 1950s. In this version, however, it is the lover rather than the husband who dies - and Susan sets out to take a terrible revenge on her domineering, stroke-afflicted mother in law. A dark and bitter tale of love, lust and power.

Notes:
(written 1997, revised 2004) under option for production in 2006

1st Produced:
Unproduced    

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:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Heidi

Synopsis:
the famous tale of the little Swiss girl who is transported from the Alps to Frankfurt and heals a broken family by her good nature and belief in the power of belief. the tale is framed by the story of its author, Johanna Spyri, whose loveless marriage and dying only son provoke her into healing her own life by writing Heidi's story.

Notes:
From the novel by Johanna Spyri. Book & Lyrics by Shaun McKenna. Music by Stephen Keeling. German translation by Anya Hauptmann

1st Produced:
Wallensee     2005

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:  13            Female:  13            Other:  ensemble

Further Reference:
-

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Heidi And Johanna

Synopsis:
a sequel to Heidi (intertwining the second Heidi novel with the final years of Johanna Spyri's life and ending with her death)

Notes:
Book & Lyrics by Shaun McKenna. Music by Stephen Keeling. nominated for A Prix Walo Award

1st Produced:
-     2007

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:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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How Green Was My Valley

Synopsis:
Richard Llewellyn's classic saga of growing up in a Welsh mining community at the turn of the 20th century. Huw Morgan grows from child to young adult as his family strive to fight for their community and his sister falls in love with the local minister

Notes:
Adapted from the novel by Richard Llewellyn

1st Produced:
Royal Theatre, Northampton     1990

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:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  8            Female:  6            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Killing Camille

Synopsis:
An adaptation of Zola's theRESE RAQUIN, set in 1880s Paris. When stuffy Camille brings dashing Laurent into their shop, frustrated therese begins a passionate affair which soon leads to murder, guilt and recrimination.

Notes:
Inspired by A novel by Emile Zola

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:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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La Cava The Musical

La Cava The Musical
Florinda Espatorias is the daughter of the Spanish general who is governor of Ceuta in North Africa in the early 8th century. When the colony is threatened by Moorish invasion, she is sent away to be schooled in the womanly arts in the court of King Roderic in Toledo, Spain. This takes her away from her childhood sweetheart and secret lover, Somal, the son of a Moorish rebel leader. She has also been promised in marriage to an army officer. King Roderic has shunned his queen, Exilona, because of her apparent infidelity while he was away at war. He is attracted to Florinda immediately upon meeting her. Florinda's lover is killed, almost accidentally, by Roderic's soldiers. Florinda, heart-broken, is spurred on by Exilona's loyal servant Agon to seek revenge by accusing Roderic of rape. Slowly, however, Roderic wins her heart, and she discovers that she is carrying his child. In regret, she tries to send a messenger to redact her claim. The messenger is killed, however, and her father joins with the Moorish army to defend her honor, and massive bloodshed ensues.

Notes:
Book by Dana Broccoli, based on her novel. Music by Laurence O'Keefe and Stephen Keeling. Lyrics by John Claflin and Laurence O'Keefe. Addtional lyrics by Shaun McKenna. Additional music by John Cameron

1st Produced:
Churchill Theatre, Bromley     02 May 2000

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:  9            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Ladies in Lavender

Synopsis:
Ladies In Lavender tells the tale of two sisters Ursula and Janet who live in a close-knit fishing village in picturesque Cornwall, in 1936. When a handsome and talented young Polish violinist bound for America is washed ashore, the Widdington sisters take him under their wing and nurse him back to health. However, the presence of the mysterious young man disrupts their peaceful lives and the community in which they live.

Notes:
Based on the film written And directed by Charles Dance; Adapted for the stage by Shaun McKenna; From A short story by William J. Locke

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Lee Dean, Daniel Schumann and Royal Theatre, Northampton

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:
Drama

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Lautrec

Synopsis:
the deformed midget, Henri Toulouse Lautrec, a scion of one of the most dysfunctional aristocratic families, causes scandal by his behaviour and his art. A model, Suzanne Valadon, sees beyond his appearance but their liaison causes trouble with the family - and Lautrec's own compulsive, addictive behaviour drives her away. He descends into alcoholism and madness before she engineers resolution with his family and goes on to have a career as a painter in her own right.

Notes:
Book by Shaun McKenna, Music & Lyrics by Charles Aznavour, English lyrics by Dee Shipman

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:  10            Female:  10            Other:  ensemble

Further Reference:
-

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Lord Of the Rings, The

Synopsis:
the One Ring, now in the possession of Shire hobbit Frodo Baggins, has potentially desperate consequences for the world. His quest to destroy it leads to the salvation of Middle Earth but at enormous cost to himself. Radical and ground-breaking stage adaptation of Tolkien's epic trilogy. Not a musical in the traditional sense, more a piece of epic theatre with music, extraordinary physical theatre and spectacle.

Notes:
From the novels by JRR Tolkien. Book & Lyrics by Shaun McKenna & Matthew Warchus. Music by AR Rahman, Varttina & Christopher Nightingale

1st Produced:
Princess Of Wales Theatre, Toronto     2006

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:  3            Other:  ensemble

Further Reference:
-

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Maddie

Maddie
When Nick and Jan Cheyney move into a new San Francisco apartment, they discover a message written in lipstick beneath layers of peeling wallpaper. the writer, Maddie Marsh, was a wannabe silent movie star who died just as her career was taking off. Maddie possesses the drab Jan, determined to have another crack at fame, and Nick falls in love with Maddie in his wife's body, causing all manner of mayhem.

Notes:
Book by Shaun McKenna & Steven Dexter, Lyrics by Shaun McKenna, Music by Stephen Keeling. Lyric theatre, Shaftesbury Ave 1997

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Warner Chappell,    

Music:
London cast recording: Dress Circle (CD 003) 1997

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:
Romantic musical comedy Musical

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  5            Other:  ensemble

Further Reference:
-

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Murder Mystery Musical

Synopsis:
Who's bumping-off the showbiz glitterati on a pop mogul's private island? Agathat Christie meets the Addams Family in a gloriously gruesome tale of murder and mayhem!

Notes:
book by Alister Cameron And Shaun McKenna; lyrics by Shaun McKenna And Alister Cameron; music by Ricard brown

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Andy Jordan

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 Comedy

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Perfect Murder, The

Synopsis:
Victor Smiley and his wife Joan have been married for nearly two decades, but each barely recognises the person they wake up next to every morning. Victor is so fed up with his job at the local factory -as well as distracted by his visits to his favourite prostitute, Kamila- that he hardly notices his wife's constant ridicule. Joan has resigned herself to the fact that Victor will never see beyond her double-chin to a new hair cut or outfit. She even puts up with his constant snoring which keeps her up night after night, but only just. For unbeknownst to Victor, Joan is taking her sweet revenge: spending large amounts of money on his credit card, kitting herself out in a sexy new wardrobe to impress her secret lover, Don. But then, as the bills mount, Victor loses his job. Soon he realises that the only way he can achieve his dream of setting up home with Kamila is to get Joan out of the picture, once and for all. But Victor is about to get a nasty surprise, for he's not the only one with murder on his mind . . .

Notes:
Peter James' novella spent 15 weeks at No. 1 in the book charts, and his Roy Grace books have sold over 14 million copies and been translated into thirty six languages. Now The Perfect Murder has been adapted for the stage by Shaun McKenna

1st Produced:
Orchard Theatre Dartford     08 Jan 2014

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:
Adapted from the novella by Peter James

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Perpetual Curate, The

Synopsis:
Adapted from the last two Barchester novels, this is the tale of a poor middle-aged curate whose only capital is his reputation and sense of honour. When he is accused of stealing a 20 pound cheque, his life collapses around him and his inability to bend becomes both his greatest strength and most devastating weakness. the vengeful Bishop's wife, Mrs Proudie, is an initially comic figure who becomes a terrifying enemy.

Notes:
Based on characters created by Anthony Trollope. (written 2000). Written by Shaun McKenna And Michael Rudman

1st Produced:
Unproduced    

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:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  10            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Ruling Passions

Synopsis:
Based on a nineteenth century murder scandal. Henriette Deluzy comes as governess to the home of the Duc de Praslin and his hystErically jealous wife, who believes the pair are having an affair. All is not what it seems, however, and once the Duchesse is murdered, Chancellor Pasquier, must 'spin' the resulting scandal to prevent the downfall of a teetering monarchy.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Royal, Northampton     1995

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:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  4            Other:  boys

Further Reference:
-

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To Serve them All My Days

Synopsis:
Adaptation of the celebrated between-the-wars novel about Davy Powlett Jones, invalided out of the army in 1917 and finding a new role as a teacher in a minor public school in Devon. A tale of striving to belong, of human nature, tragedy, comedy and desperate rivalry as a new headmaster threatens to wreck all that Davy holds dear.

Notes:
Adapted from the novel by R.F. Delderfield

1st Produced:
Royal Theatre, Northampton    

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:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  3            Other:  boys

Further Reference:
-

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