In early 1998, Ted Craig, Artistic Director of the Warehouse Theatre,
commissioned a play for the Christmas/New Year production from writer Phil Willmott .
They agreed on a musical play based on the famous BBC Radio series (which ran from 1946 - 1951)
and the Dick Barton legend was reborn...
 Episode I - Dick Barton, Special Agent
was a sell-out success at the Warehouse Theatre in 1998/99 and toured the country from March - July 2000 to Perth Theatre, Palace Theatre Mansfield, Swan Theatre Worcester, Theatre Royal York, Northcott Theatre Exeter, Harrogate Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre, Poole Arts Centre, Greenwich Theatre, Ashcroft Theatre Croydon, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham. Another tour followed in Feb /March 2001 to: Bolton Octagon, Jersey Opera House, Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, Isle Of Man and Wimbledon Theatre. A new production in association with Nottinham Playhouse was produced in September 2001.

 Episode II -
Dick Barton, The Curse of the
Pharaoh's Tomb
was another sell-out success when
first produced at the Warehouse
Theatre in December 1999.
A further production was presented at Greenwich Theatre
in February 2001
more details below


Episode III -
Dick Barton,
The Tango of Terror
premiered at the Warehouse Theatre on 7 December 2001,
the sell out season then toured to: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
and
Swan Theatre,
Stratford-upon-Avon
more details below

 Episode IV -
Dick Barton, The Flight
of the Phoenix
written by the new writing team of
Duncan Wisbey,
Stefan Bednarczyk
and Ted Craig
premiered at the Warehouse Theatre on 6 December 2002.
The record-breaking sell-out season played to 23 February 2003
more details below

 


  Episode V -
Dick Barton,
The Excess of Evil
by Duncan Wisbey,
Stefan Bednarczyk
and Ted Craig
premiered at the
Warehouse Theatre
on 12 December 2003
The record-breaking sell-out season played to 29 February 2004
more details below

The texts of all five episodes are published by OBERON BOOKS (oberon-books.com)
Pictures and Reviews Episodes I to IX

Dec 98 to March 01 Episode I
Dick Barton - Special Agent
by Phil Willmott
original music & musical direction Stefan Bednarcyzk

 directed by Ted Craig
designed by Michael Pavelka

I haven't had so much FUN
in the theatre for ages! "
The Guardian
Cast members
who contributed
to the success of episode 1
Casts: Rae Baker, Edward Baker-Duly,
Stefan Bednarczyk, Kit Benjamin,
Darrell Brockis, Kate Graham,
Sophie Louise Dann, Dougal Lee,
Mark McKerracher, Mark Roper,
William Oxborrow,
Sean Sloan, Nicholas Tigg,
Andrew C Wadsworth,
Kevin Walton,
Duncan Wisbey

Dec 99 to Feb 01 Episode II
The Curse of the Pharaoh's Tomb
by Phil Willmott
musical direction Stefan Bednarcyzk
directed by Ted Craig
designed by Stuart Stanley
musical staging Mitch Sebastian
"Ted Craig's tightly knit production mocks the imperial bravado of the radio series (and contains) a string of Willmott's
hilarious songs arranged by Stefan Bednarcyzk to parody everything from Strauss to Puccini" Evening Standard
Casts : Darrell Brockis,
Clive Carter,
Sophie Louise Dann,
Kate Graham,
James Lailey,
William Oxborrow, Mark Roper,
Robert Sterne,
Andrew C Wadsworth,
Duncan Wisbey
Dec 01 - March 02 Episode III
The Tango of Terror
by Phil Willmott
musical direction Stefan Bednarcyzk

 directed by Ted Craig
designed by
Russell Craig
musical staging
Mitch Sebastian
"a thrilling battle between good old british morals and the terrifyingly titillating temptations
of the continent" Evening Standard
Casts: George Asprey,
Kit Benjamin,
Darrell Brockis,
Joanna Brookes,
Kelly O'Leary,
Kate Pinnell,
Duncan Wisbey

Dec 02 - Feb 03 Episode IV
The Flight of the Phoenix
by Duncan Wisbey and Stefan Bednarczyk with Ted Craig
directed by Ted Craig
designed by Ellen Cairns
lighting by James Whiteside
musical direction
Stefan Bednarcyzk
musical staging
Mitch Sebastian
"An energetic and talented cast tell this tale of derring-do with great aplomb.As well as delivering virtuoso comic performances, they also sing with vigour, and even double up as the band for the musical numbers,which borrow familiar classical tunes and set them to witty new lyrics - such dashed good fun!' 
The Times
Cast: Stephen Aintree, Darrell Brockis, Kit Benjamin,
Louise Doherty, Adam Morris, William Oxborrow,
Duncan Wisbey

Dec 03 - Feb 04 Episode V
Dick Barton, The Excess of Evil
by Duncan Wisbey and Stefan Bednarczyk with Ted Craig

directed by Ted Craig
designed by Ellen Cairns lighting by James Whiteside
musical direction Stefan Bednarcyzk musical staging Leon de Ste-Croix
picture:William Oxborrow, Kit Benjamin & Darrell Brockis
more details, pictures & reviews

Dec 06 - Feb 07 Episode VI
Young Dick Barton - The Making of a Legend
book by Duncan Wisbey   lyrics by Stefan Bednarczyk

directed by Ted Craig
designed by Ellen Cairns lighting by Peter Harrison
musical direction Stefan Bednarcyzk & Duncan Wisbey
musical staging Darren Royston
picture: Darrell Brockis, Jeremy Barlow & Duncan Wisbey
more details, pictures & reviews
Dec 08 - Feb 09 Episode VII
Young Dick Barton - The Devil Wears Tweed
book by Duncan Wisbey   lyrics by Stefan Bednarczyk

directed by Ted Craig
designed by Cleo Pettit lighting by Peter Harrison
musical direction Stefan Bednarcyzk & Duncan Wisbey
musical staging Jamie Read
more details, pictures & reviews
Dec 09 - Feb 10 Episode VIII
Dick Barton - A Quantum Of Porridge
book by Duncan Wisbey   lyrics by Stefan Bednarczyk

directed by Ted Craig
designed by Laura O’Connell
musical direction Stefan Bednarcyzk
musical staging Jamie Read
picture: Robin Kingsland & Kit Benjamin
more details, pictures & reviews

Dec 10 - Feb 1I EpisodeIX
 Dick Barton - A Fistful Of Barton
written by Kit Benjamin and Philip Ives
lyrics by Philip Ives, music by Kit Benjamin

directed by Ted Craig
designed by Laura O’Connell
musical staging Jamie Read
picture: Ben Tolley & Robert Maskell
more details, pictures & reviews

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