He left no detailed plan for the remaining instalments or solution to the novel's mystery, and many later adaptations and continuations by other writers have attempted to complete the story. Upon the death of Dickens on 9 June 1870, the novel was left unfinished in his writing desk, only six of a planned twelve instalments having been written. The story is set in Cloisterham, a lightly disguised Rochester. Later Drood disappears under mysterious circumstances. Landless and Edwin Drood take an instant dislike to each other. Miss Bud, Edwin Drood's fiancée, has also caught the eye of the high-spirited and hot-tempered Neville Landless. In the interview he talks about his time in the show and his time working with Ernie.Though the novel is named after the character Edwin Drood, it focuses more on Drood's uncle, John Jasper, a precentor, choirmaster and opium addict, who lusts after his pupil, Rosa Bud. We were lucky enough to have the pleasure of speaking with Martin Wimbush, who appeared in the play as Mr Cedric Moncrieffe who was playing The Reverend Crisparkle. It shows the cast performing on an edition of the Wogan show.Ī cast recording does exist for both the US and UK productions. It would appear this did not work too well and probably contributed to the downfall of the show.Ĭlips of Ernie performing parts from the play were recently shown on the excellent Johnathan Ross tribute that was broadcast in Dec 2008. The US team wanted to transfer a US show to the UK, including US ways of doing things. There seems to have been a clash of cultures in how the show should have been run. For various reasons it closed after a 10 week run on the 4th July 1987. Unfortunately, the show did not transfer too well. Produced and directed by Jeremy Mortimer. Cast and credits: Written by Charles Dickens. The rest of the cast was strong and included Lulu and Julia Mills Also included is a bonus documentary, The Mystery of the Mystery of Edwin Drood, in which Frances Fyfield uses her crime writers insights to try and find out what really happened to Dickens eponymous hero. So keen was Ernie that on the first day of rehearsal he was practically word perfect, having started work on the script 3 months earlier.Įrnie was cast as the roll of Mr William Cartwright playing The Chairman. Remembered today chiefly for his role as Captain Renault in Casablanca (1942), Rains, then 47, was already the veteran of five films, including the horror films The Invisible Man (1933) and The Clairvoyant (1934), in which he took the eponymous roles, and The Man Who Reclaimed His Head (1934). I listened to the score and thought how wonderful it was.” In his autobiography “Still On My Way To Hollywood” he says “When I was sent the script I was knocked out. It would seem obvious that the next move would be to transfer it to the West End and enjoy similar success.Įrnie had been very excited about this play. It was a major success and won 5 Tonys, incuding best musical. In 1985 the play made it to Broadway and ran for 608 performances. Mr William Cartwright (Ernie) as The Chairman for example. When you looked in the program you are presented with a list of The Company Of The Musical Hall Royal. The audience were invited to the Music Hall Royale to see Mr William Cartwright and his un paralleled players putting on a performance of “The Mystery Of Edwin Drood”. 2 Tony Award® Best Musical 1986 First Produced 1985 Genres Comedy Settings Period, Multiple Settings, Unit/Single Set Time & Place england. The story has also been the subject of 2 films, one in 1935 and the other in 1993.įor more details on the background of “The Mystery Of Edwin Drood” please start here at everyone’s favourite online encyclopedia, Wikipedia.įor those of you who wish to read the actual book, it is available online here. Attempts to finish the story and reach a conclusion have been going on for many years. Since then “The Mystery Of Edwin Drood” itself has become a literary mystery. Only 6 issues were published however, taking the reader only to chapter 23. Originally the story was to be published in 12 installments, each costing a shilling starting in April 1870 and ending in March 1871. The show was based on the final and unfinished book by Charles Dickens. Nearly 50 years after he had made his triumphant entrance with Jack Hylton, Ernie returned in the New York smash hit “The Mystery Of Edwin Drood”. Ernie on stage In 1987 Ernie Wise made his return to the West End of London, at the Savoy Theatre.
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