The Hunting of the Snark (musical)
The Hunting of the Snark is a musical based on Lewis Carroll's poem "The Hunting of the Snark", written by composer Mike Batt.
History
The musical began life in 1984 as a costumed concert with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican, conducted by Mike Batt and starring Paul Jones as the Baker and Christopher Casenove as the narrator.
It was released as a concept album in 1986 but withdrawn from sale after a dispute with the issuing record label. The recording featured Roger Daltrey, Art Garfunkel, John Gielgud, Stephane Grappelli, John Hurt, Julian Lennon, Cliff Richard, Captain Sensible, Deniece Williams, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Later that year it was performed as a concert at the Barbican. "Midnight Smoke" was released as a single on 17 November 1986.
A further (costumed) production took place at the Royal Albert Hall on April Fool's Day 1987, with Justin Hayward taking Art Garfunkel's role of the Butcher from the original recording and Billy Connolly replacing Cliff Richard as the Bellman. Other performers recreated their roles from the concept recording. This concert was filmed and screened as a television special in some countries.
In 1990 The Hunting Of The Snark was successfully presented, again by Batt, as a dramatised concert in Australia, at Sydney's State Theatre with the Elizabethan Symphonia, and Philip Quast starring as the Bellman.
The New Zealand amateur premiere was at the Marton Players' Theatre in Marton, with a cast of enthusiastic volunteers.
On 24 October 1991 a £2 million budget production of the show opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre, with striking scenery and designs. 12,000 animated slides were projected from 152 computer-linked projectors arranged around the theatre. Although reviews praised Batt's visual concepts and Quast as the Bellman, the show closed seven weeks later.
The show was later presented as an amateur production in July 1995 at The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, with slightly different songs and libretto created by Batt for the occasion. The production was produced by Ian Gude for Jolly Good Musical Productions, directed by Steve Morrell, with musical direction by Ian Gude.
Album and DVD
In November 2010, Mike Batt's company Dramatico Entertainment released the original record album from 1986, together with a DVD of the Royal Albert Hall concert from 1987. A sheet music folio of the original album was released to coincide with the 2010 DVD/CD release.
Cast:
- Mike Batt, The Boots
- Billy Connolly, The Bellman
- Roger Daltrey, The Barrister
- Justin Hayward, The Butcher
- John Hurt, The Narrator
- Julian Lennon, The Baker
- Captain Sensible, The Billiard Marker
- Midge Ure, The Banker
- Deniece Williams, The Beaver
Synopsis
The Hunting of the Snark tells the tale of several characters who go on a sea journey, searching for a mythical creature called "The Snark", whatever it may be, for the Snark is different things to each of the characters. The Baker's uncle once told him, "If your Snark be a Boojum! ... You will softly and suddenly vanish away, And never be met with again!". Through this journey relationships develop, tensions rise and the Baker's worst nightmare comes true.
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Creative team
- Mike Batt - Writer / Designer / Director
- Jamie Hayes - Co-Director
- Andrew Bridge - Lighting
- Jo-Anne Robinson - Choreographer
- Kim Baker - Associate Costume Designer
- Derek Healey - Projection Programming and Development
- John Delnero - Sound Designer
- Chris Slingsby - Audio Visual Supervisor
Original London cast
- David McCallum, Lewis Carroll
- Kenny Everett, Billiard Marker
- Philip Quast, Bellman
- Mark McGann, Baker
- David Firth, Banker
- Roni Hart, Beaver
- Peter Ledbury, Broker
- Allan Love, Barrister
- Gary Martin, Bishop
- John Partridge, Butcher
- Jae Alexander, Bandmaster / Associate Musical Director