In 2007, a student called Nick Hutson wrote a Just William play as
part of his degree in Musical Theatre Writing at Goldsmiths College,
London.
It was a 50 minute one act musical with a cast of 12
with a book, music and lyrics byNick.
I can do no better than quote Nick himself:-
"It was great fun to write and to watch
it come to life and the show was well received by the audience. The
school informed me as this was an examination, there was no need to
get permission."
"It was staged for two nights in September
and each production played to a full house and very appreciative audiences.
I've always thought Just William would work very well for a musical
- especially in this country. The beauty of Richmal's comic writing
made it a pleasure to adapt for songs - and plus the long-gone-British
feel that the stories evoke is wonderful for audiences of today. And,
of course, the music was fun to write as it was a chance to play around
with the 1920s styles. Of course, there are many things I want to change
now I look at the video - but I am happy with how the production worked
out.
The key moment, especially for today's audience, is Mrs. Brown's song
at the end - Just A Boy. The moment in the song where Mrs Brown says
"let him be just William" received, on the first night, many
gasps from the audience, which of course, I loved hearing!"
The show is available in 5 parts on YouTube to watch:
Part One http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwLgPqlZ408
Part Two http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T_5YIijsns
Part Three http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9Awqh2poAA
Part Four http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnUmWryjymU
Part Five http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58udDM3FGXw