After the Fair...Book & Lyrics by Stephen Cole, Music by Matthew Ward

by Stephen Cole

Based on Thomas Hardy's famous short story, On The Western Circuit. It is 1895. Melchester, England. An unhappily married British lady writes love letters for her illiterate maid to a London Barrister after the maid has a fling with the young man in a field. The beautifully penned love letter persuade the Barrister that the maid is more than she seemed and the lady starts to fall in love with the fantasy man far...

Based on Thomas Hardy's famous short story, On The Western Circuit. It is 1895. Melchester, England. An unhappily married British lady writes love letters for her illiterate maid to a London Barrister after the maid has a fling with the young man in a field. The beautifully penned love letter persuade the Barrister that the maid is more than she seemed and the lady starts to fall in love with the fantasy man far away. When the maid reveals she is pregnant, the two women must go about winning the Barrister over to marriage. The results are surprising to all. Orchestrated for 4 pieces or just piano.

Full Stage Productions:
Off Broadway at the York Theatre, NYC 1999
Starring Michele Pawk
Directed by Travis Stockley
Nominated for Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off Broadway Musical
London: Kings Head Theatre, Islington 2000
Village Theatre, Seattle, WA 2000-1
Apple Tree Theatre, Chicago, IL 1997
Village Originals, Seattle WA 1998
Lyric Stage, Irving, TX 1997
Winner of 5 Dallas Theatre League Awards including Best New Play or Musical
Cast Album on Fynsworth Alley Records
What happens when a married Victorian British woman writes letters for her illiterate maid and falls in love with the man to whom she is writing? A romantic, literate musicalization of Thomas Hardy's short story, this award winning 4 character musical has played Off Broadway, London and all over the USA.

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After the Fair...Book & Lyrics by Stephen Cole, Music by Matthew Ward

Recommended by

  • C. Michael Perry: After the Fair...Book & Lyrics by Stephen Cole, Music by Matthew Ward

    This 4 person musical is a delight from start to finish! It will play in any small to medium-sized theatre. A Small Orchestra, 4-6 players, or a single piano can provide the accompaniment. Stephen and Matthew are great to work with!

    This 4 person musical is a delight from start to finish! It will play in any small to medium-sized theatre. A Small Orchestra, 4-6 players, or a single piano can provide the accompaniment. Stephen and Matthew are great to work with!

  • Brian Vinero: After the Fair...Book & Lyrics by Stephen Cole, Music by Matthew Ward

    Stephen Cole and Matthew Ward's chamber musical is perfect for a theatre seeking a small, sophisticated show.

    Stephen Cole and Matthew Ward's chamber musical is perfect for a theatre seeking a small, sophisticated show.

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Village Theatre, Seattle WA , Year 1998
  • Type Reading, Organization York Theater Company, Off Broadway NYC, Year 1997
  • Type Reading, Organization NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE, Year 1997

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Village Theatre, Seattle WA, Year 2002
  • Type Professional, Organization Kings Head Theatre, Off West End, London, UK, Year 2000
  • Type Professional, Organization Varese Saraband CD-Original Off Broadway Cast CD, Year 1999
  • Type Professional, Organization York Theatre Company, Off Broadway NYC Outer Critics Circle Nominee. Winner Gilman-Gonzales-Falla Award, Year 1999
  • Type Professional, Organization The Apple Tree Theatre, Chicago, Year 1998
  • Type Professional, Organization Lyric Stage, Irving TX Winner of 5 Dallas Theatre League Awards (inc. Best New Musical), Year 1997

Awards

  • BEST MUSICAL
    GILMAN-GONZALES FALLA AWARD
    Winner
    1999
  • BEST NEW PLAY OR MUSICAL
    DALLAS LEON RABIN AWARD
    Winner
    1998
  • BEST OFF BROADWAY MUSICAL
    OUTER CRITICS CIRCLE
    Finalist
    1999