002 - 'TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES' (Savoy Theatre 1999) - Featuring Stephen Edwards, Justin Fleming, Karen Hebden, Poppy Tierney, Philippa Healey

Stage Door Podcast

Stage Door's podcast in which we take an in depth look behind the scenes at the West End musicals we've released on CD. In this episode the spotlight falls on ‘Tess Of The D'Urbervilles’, the 1999 West End musical adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic novel. Featuring music by Stephen Edwards and a libretto by Justin Fleming, 'Tess' opened at the Sheffield Lyceum on September 6th 1999 and was declared a "landmark in musical theatre" receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews from the critics. Following a brief UK tour, the production transferred to the West End opening at The Savoy on November 10th, 1999 and was universally damned by the critics, one reviewer sighting the show as "the last great musical flop of the Millennium".

'Tess' closed on January 15th 2000 after just 77 performances. 15 years after 'Tess' closed we look back at the ambitious through-sung drama and explore the journey the production underwent during its development. To reflect on the production we're joined by the composer Stephen Edwards, lyricist Justin Fleming, director and adapter Karen Louise Hebden and both actresses who would alternate the role of Tess; Poppy Tierney and Philippa Healey. The programme also features excerpts from the previously unheard live recording of the production recorded on the press night at the Savoy Theatre and featuring Poppy Tierney as Tess.Podcast produced and presented by Tim Hutton for Stage Door Records'TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES' - ORIGINAL CAST RECORDINGNow available on Stage Door Records. For more information visit:http://www.stagedoorrecords.com/stage9036.html