Where are they now?
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Where are they now?
As many people know, Jemima Rooper was a guest speaker at one of our earlier Enid Blyton Days and much has been said in various threads about some of her more recent exploits.
What is perhaps not so well known is that Olivia Hallinan was also a guest at the same meeting. At the time she was playing Anne (blue team) in the Famous Five Musical. She is now pictured on the cover of the current Radio Times as one of the stars in the new BBC production, Lark Rise to Candleford.
What is perhaps not so well known is that Olivia Hallinan was also a guest at the same meeting. At the time she was playing Anne (blue team) in the Famous Five Musical. She is now pictured on the cover of the current Radio Times as one of the stars in the new BBC production, Lark Rise to Candleford.
Re: Where are they now?
Tony such fantastic news! I love the FF musical. Always wondered what happened to the stars of the musical. We all know about Jon Lee ( who played Julian) and where he went afterwards. What does blue team mean?
Tony I may of miss read you post, but I cannot find anything about Olivia being in the FF musical. So far I have read in Wikipedia it does not mention her being in the FF musical at all. I also checked the end of the FF musical video. It says the girl who played Anne is Claire Fitton. I think we have a mystery on our hands.
Tony I may of miss read you post, but I cannot find anything about Olivia being in the FF musical. So far I have read in Wikipedia it does not mention her being in the FF musical at all. I also checked the end of the FF musical video. It says the girl who played Anne is Claire Fitton. I think we have a mystery on our hands.
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Re: Where are they now?
On stage, Julian et al were played by different "teams" of four children. Olivia Hallinan was the blue team's Anne, but one of the other teams must have been performing when the show was filmed. I must admit I've never seen the Famous Five musical myself.
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Re: Where are they now?
Efficient as always, Anita has got in before me on this, Susie! I followed the progress of the Musical right through from initial rehearsals in a studio in London, up to a cast reunion at Enid's old school, St. Christopher's. I am a great one for collecting things and I suspect that I may have the only programme signed by all twelve children as after the initial rehearsals they were never all together again (only seven out of the twelve attended the reunion).
So the pics below show the cast, the three teams in the rehearsals studios and also Gillian with the composer Robert Dallas, who also came to the same Enid Blyton Day, along with his partner Grazina Frame, who played Anne in the original 50s stage production.
Green Team
Blue Team
Red Team
Gillian and Robert Dallas
So the pics below show the cast, the three teams in the rehearsals studios and also Gillian with the composer Robert Dallas, who also came to the same Enid Blyton Day, along with his partner Grazina Frame, who played Anne in the original 50s stage production.
Green Team
Blue Team
Red Team
Gillian and Robert Dallas
Re: Where are they now?
That is an impressive collection!
I never knew about the teams, I wish I would have gone to all the performances. It must of been spectacular. Did you go to each performance?
I never knew about the teams, I wish I would have gone to all the performances. It must of been spectacular. Did you go to each performance?
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Re: Where are they now?
I am not at all familiar with the Famous Five Musical. Is it in any way related to the The Famous Five - The Musical: Smuggler's Gold which has been available in VHS and DVD formats?
Re: Where are they now?
Yes that is the one!Petermax wrote:I am not at all familiar with the Famous Five Musical. Is it in any way related to the The Famous Five - The Musical: Smuggler's Gold which has been available in VHS and DVD formats?
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Re: Where are they now?
There was no mention of 'Smuggler's Gold' at all in the original, this was added by the company who released the video - I guess to make it sound more glamorous! It is based largely on Five Go Adventuring Again.
Re: Where are they now?
Before I head for Amazon or Ebay, is the Famous Five Musical worth watching? I have always been a bit wary of musical adaptations of serious books after seeing the 1968 film Oliver! a few years ago.
Re: Where are they now?
YES! It's done so well. I'd say give it a go. You will hopefully not be disappointed. Each to his/her own taste.Petermax wrote:Before I head for Amazon or Ebay, is the Famous Five Musical worth watching?
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Re: Where are they now?
It used to be widely available at rock-bottom prices in dump-bins in outlets such as The Edinburgh Woollen Mill - don't ask me why. I must say, it never appealed to me, the idea of the four bursting into song fills me with horror. I guess George would think she sang as good as a boy any day.Petermax wrote:Before I head for Amazon or Ebay, is the Famous Five Musical worth watching? I have always been a bit wary of musical adaptations of serious books after seeing the 1968 film Oliver! a few years ago.
Imagine Smuggler's Top being made a musical. Block would sing, Silence is Golden; Sooty, Black is Black; Barling, Play Misty for Me and Quentin could attempt, Up On The Roof.
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Re: Where are they now?
You've got the line up perfect there, Nigel. I guess its up to you now to put on the show.
We'll await the dates!!!
We'll await the dates!!!
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
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Re: Where are they now?
It simply doesn't bear thinking about, a singing George of all things! The Gaylands School Choir would probably disband in protest! However, Jemima Rooper's singing performance in Sugar Rush does give us an insight into what a musical version of George could be like.Moonraker wrote: I must say, it never appealed to me, the idea of the four bursting into song fills me with horror. I guess George would think she sang as good as a boy any day.
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Re: Where are they now?
A virtuoso performance on the 10th May perhaps?Julie2owlsdene wrote:You've got the line up perfect there, Nigel. I guess its up to you now to put on the show.
We'll await the dates!!!
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Re: Where are they now?
You guys are so sad. Fancy commenting when you have never even watched it! You don't know what you're missing, otherwise you would not say such things. I couldn't imagine it before I had watched it, but I'm happy now that I did, as the actors/actresses are very convincing, and George sings "I don't like girls." But if the idea repulses you, then you had better not see it, or "it will make your adrenalin boil." (Part of George's song")
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