THE LAND OF MIGHT-HAVE-BEEN

Ivor Novello (1893–1951). Book & Lyrics by Michael Williams

Arrangement and additional composition by Iain Farrington

A Buxton International Festival and Norwich Theatre production, with the Northern Chamber Orchestra

Brought together in a summer of love, torn apart by war, only one would survive to tell their story.

The world premiere of a new musical by Michael Williams, co-creator of the UK Theatre Awardwinning opera Georgiana. Return to the halcyon days of that long-ago perfect summer where ragtime was sweeping through every ballroom; where debutante balls were the Tinder of today and chaperones were the curse of every young woman in love; where the call of King and Country stirred the imagination of young men everywhere and the power of love kept hope alive in the darkest of times.

The Land of Might-Have-Been is built around the songs of Ivor Novello and tells a story loosely based on the lives of Vera and Edward Brittain before and during the First World War. The story follows Vera and Roland, and Edward and Bobbie who unexpectedly fall in love over a long, hot summer in Buxton in 1914. The war in Europe shatters all their hopes and dreams but compels Vera into a life-long campaign for peace and equality.

Iain Farrington’s new orchestral arrangement of songs like My Dearest Dear, Waltz of My Heart, My Life Belongs To You and Why Is There Ever Goodbye captures Ivor Novello’s extraordinary gift of melody and harmony.

Kimberley Sykes, Royal Shakespeare Company director, brings her classic theatre experience to the rehearsal room to deliver an elegant, sharply focused production.

The Land of Might-Have-Been acknowledges that Vera Brittain’s works are under the copyright of Mark Bostridge and T J Brittain-Catlin, Literary Executors for Estate of Vera Brittain 1970.

DATES & TIMES

Fri 7 July 7.15pm

Tues 11 July 7.15pm

Sat 15 July 2pm and 7.15pm

Tues 18 July 7.15pm

Fri 21 July 7.15pm

VENUE

Buxton Opera House

TICKETS

£25 - £71

Concessions: £10 tickets for under 35s, who are part of the Friends of BIF Next Gen scheme. Join for free at buxtonfestival.co.uk

CREATIVE TEAM

Iwan Davies Conductor

Kimberley Sykes Director

Nathan M Wright Choreographer

Nicky Shaw Set and Costume Designer

Jake Wiltshire Lighting Designer

Declan Matwij Sound Designer

Andrew Lynford Casting Director

Duration: 2 hours and 10 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.

10% OFF WHEN YOU BOOK ALL 3 BIF PRODUCTIONS

La sonnambula, The Land of MightHave-Been, Il re pastore

BIF 2023 6 – 23 July