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{{Short description|English playwright and theatre director}}
{{Other uses|Ken Hill (disambiguation){{!}}Ken Hill}} {{Other uses|Ken Hill (disambiguation){{!}}Ken Hill}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2012}} {{Use British English|date=October 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2012}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2009}} {{more footnotes|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox person
⚫ '''Ken Hill''' (28 January 1937 – 23 January 1995) was a critically acclaimed English playwright, and theatre director.
⚫ | name = Ken Hill
| image = <!-- just the filename, without the File: or Image: prefix or enclosing ] -->
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1937|01|28}}
| birth_place = ], England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1995|01|23|1937|01|28}}
| death_place =
| nationality = British
| other_names =
| occupation = Playwright and theatre director
| years_active =
| known_for =
| notable_works = '']''
| spouse = Toni Palmer (second wife)
| children = 2 sons (from first marriage)
⚫ }}
⚫ '''Ken Hill''' (28 January 1937 – 23 January 1995) was an English playwright and theatre director.


He was a protégé of ] at ]. He was happiest directing chaotic musicals on the tiny stage of the old ], Theatre Workshop's home in ], for many years but he also had hits in the West End and abroad, among them '']'' and the original stage version of '']'', which inspired ] to create his musical blockbuster of the same title. Ken Hill was a protégé of ] at ]. He was known for his chaotic musicals on the tiny stage of the old ],<ref>{{Cite web|date=1995-02-17|title=Theatre: Moustache-wiggling, eye-boggling, swashbuckling spoof|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-moustache-wiggling-eye-boggling-swashbuckling-spoof-1573521.html|access-date=2020-06-20|website=The Independent|language=en|archive-date=13 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813203408/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-moustachewiggling-eyeboggling-swashbuckling-spoof-1573521.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Theatre Workshop's home in ], but he also had hits in the West End and abroad. Among them were '']'' and the original stage version of '']'',<ref>{{Cite web|author=BWW News Desk|title=Meet the Current Cast of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Broadway!|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Meet-the-Current-Cast-of-THE-PHANTOM-OF-THE-OPERA-on-Broadway-20190810|access-date=2020-06-20|website=BroadwayWorld.com|language=en|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022145706/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Meet-the-Current-Cast-of-THE-PHANTOM-OF-THE-OPERA-on-Broadway-20190810|url-status=live}}</ref> which inspired ] to create his musical blockbuster of the same title.<ref>{{Cite web |title=`PHANTOM` PHUROR |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1989-12-10-8903160939-story.html |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125175000/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1989-12-10-8903160939-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

His stock-in-trade was musical adventure stories. Like Joan Littlewood, his aim was to make things look fresh and improvised, to which end he might spend hours working on one tiny scene with his cast. He set his lyrics to out-of-copyright popular tunes, so that the audience felt familiar with his songs without ever quite being able to place them, and, more importantly, so that music could be adapted without paying royalties the budgets at Theatre Workshop being famously small. He had an encyclopaedic musical knowledge. For example, in his final show, ''] The Musical!'', his lyrics were accompanied by melodies from 19th-century Spanish ].


==Biography== ==Biography==
Ken Hill was born in ], England on 28 January 1937 and was educated at King Edward VI's Grammar School, Camp Hill, Birmingham, after which he joined an amateur theatrical company, ], sweeping the floor, making props, writing and directing. His first play, '']'', was put on at the ], Birmingham, in 1963. For a time he worked as an ] for ] and it was there that he caused a minor uproar with his report on corruption in Birmingham's local government. Ken Hill was born in ], England on 28 January 1937. He was educated at King Edward VI's Grammar School, Camp Hill, Birmingham, after which he joined an amateur theatrical company, ], sweeping the floor, making props, writing and directing. His first play, '']'', was put on at the ], Birmingham, in 1963. For a time, he worked as an ] for ] and it was there that he caused controversy with his report on corruption in Birmingham's local government.


In 1970, Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop returned to its old home, the dilapidated Theatre Royal Stratford East. A satire on local authorities was discussed as a good subject for a new production, and Hill's name was put forward as a possible writer. The result of the collaboration Hill's ''Forward Up Your End'' (1970) was condemned by some of the press for its juvenile humour but Joan Littlewood liked it and Hill stayed on. In 1970, Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop returned to the Theatre Royal Stratford East. A satire on local authorities was discussed as a good subject for a new production, and Hill's name was put forward as a possible writer. The result of the collaboration Hill's ''Forward Up Your End'' (1970) was criticised by some of the press for its juvenile humor, but Joan Littlewood liked it and Hill stayed on.


He was roped in as an actor in numerous productions but writing, not acting, remained his first love. He was made associate director and ] at Theatre Workshop from 1970 to 1974 and from 1974 to 1976 he took over as ], Joan Littlewood by this time having left for projects in ]. Hill worked as an actor in numerous productions but preferred writing. He was made associate director and ] at Theatre Workshop from 1970 to 1974 and from 1974 to 1976 he took over as ], Joan Littlewood by this time having left for projects in ].


Hill's productions there included '']'' (1973), a collaboration with hit songwriter ], '']'' (1974), '']'' (1974) and '']'' (1974). He then became artistic director of the ], directing for the West End: '']'' at the ] (for Andrew Lloyd Webber), '']'', and '']''. Other West End credits include ] productions of '']'' and '']''. Hill's productions there included '']'' (1973), a collaboration with songwriter ], '']'' (1974), '']'' (1974) and '']'' (1974). He then became artistic director of the ], directing for the West End: '']'' at the ] (for Andrew Lloyd Webber), '']'', and '']''. Other West End credits include ] productions of '']'' and '']''.


Shortly after, he was commissioned by the ] for a version of '']''. He then wrote and directed for television: '']'' – in the course of his life, Ken wrote over 100 scripts for various television programmes. His other commissions for various theatres include: '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and a new translation of '']''. Ken was also commissioned for productions of '']'', '']'', and a '']'' Trilogy. He also adapted and directed two books by ] and completed a third for the ]. Shortly after, he was commissioned by the ] for a version of '']''. He then wrote and directed for television: '']'' – in the course of his life, Hill wrote over 100 scripts for various television programs. His other commissions for various theatres include: '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', ''The Living Dead'', and a new translation of ]'s '']''. Hill was also commissioned for productions of '']'', '']'', and a '']'' trilogy. He also adapted and directed two books by ] and completed a third for the ].


⚫ He left Theatre Workshop in 1976 and worked for some years as the ] at the ]. That same year, he first staged his version of '']'' at the ] in ] (and also on ]). In 1983, he adapted ]'s '']'' into a stage musical for the Playhouse with songs by ]. In 1984, an updated version of ''Phantom of the Opera'' was revived and produced in a joint production with the Newcastle Playhouse and the Theatre Royal Stratford East. Andrew Lloyd Webber was inspired by the production and wrote his musical The Phantom of the Opera, which opened in the West End in 1986 after talks of staging Hill's version fell through. Hill's ''Phantom'' went abroad to ] in the United States in 1987 and had another major production in San Francisco in 1988. The musical then embarked on a two-year-long national tour of the US from 1989 to 1991. The show also transferred to the West End in 1991 but, despite excellent notices, did badly at the box office and was forced to close earlier than expected. Since then, ''Phantom of the Opera'' has arguably become one of his most famous works and has toured the world – the most recent production was in Tokyo, Japan in November 2004.
He cut a conspicuous ] figure, joking with customers at the bar, and patrolling the stage with little solo dances until the audience was settled. In ] he would leap about the stage to demonstrate ideas to his actors, a sight made even more alarming by his height and shock of red hair. He could be stinting with praise for his actors and had little small talk; but he always got the best out of his cast.He also got the best out of his backstage crew with his direct approach to achieving his desired effect on stage, particularly his approach to set design encapsulated in often heard phrase " jig it out of a bit of ply" when facing budgetary pressures.


⚫ '']'', with illusions by the magician, ], fared much better in the West End, transferring from ] to the ] in 1993. This show was a particular favorite of Hill's, combining his love of stage trickery and optical jokes, including the unbandaged 'invisible' head of the Invisible Man smoking a cigar. At his request, everyone working in the theatre, from the cleaning staff upwards, signed a document forbidding them to reveal how this was done to the press.
⚫ He left Theatre Workshop in 1976 and worked for some years as the ] at the ]. That same year, he first staged his version of '']'' at the ] in ] (and also on ]). In 1983, he adapted ]'s '']'' into an elaborate stage musical for the Playhouse with songs by ]. In 1984, an updated version of ''The Phantom of the Opera'' was revived and produced in a joint-production with the Newcastle Playhouse and the Theatre Royal Stratford East. Andrew Lloyd Webber saw and liked it, and for a while there was talk about his bringing it into the West End. Nothing came of this, however, and Lloyd Webber's own version duly opened in the West End in 1986. Hill's ''Phantom'' went abroad to ] in the United States in 1987 and also had another major production in San Francisco in 1988. The musical then embarked on a two-year-long national tour of the US from 1989–1991. The show also transferred to the West End in 1991 but, despite excellent notices, did badly at the box office and was forced to close earlier than expected. Since then, ''The Phantom of the Opera'' has arguably become one of his most famous works, and has toured the world – the most recent production was in Tokyo, Japan in November 2004.


⚫ Despite having cancer intermittently for 12 years, Hill was a prolific writer and sent Stratford East ideas for new productions right up until his death from cancer on 23 January 1995 aged 57. He died just two weeks before the opening of what was his final production, ''] The Musical!'', which he directed. ''Zorro'' opened on 14 February 1995, to rave reviews and immense box office success.
⚫ '']'', with illusions by the magician, ], fared much better in the West End, transferring from ] to the ] in 1993. This show was a particular favourite of Hill's, combining his love of stage trickery and childish optical jokes in scenes in which, for instance, the unbandaged 'invisible' head of ] smokes a cigar. Hill made everyone working in the theatre, from the cleaning staff upwards, sign a document forbidding them to reveal how this was done to the press.

⚫ Despite having cancer intermittently for 12 years, Hill still continued to deluge Stratford East with ideas for new productions right up until his death from his cancer on 23 January 1995 aged 57, and only five days before his 58th birthday. He died just two weeks before the opening of what was his final production, ''] The Musical!'', which he directed. '']'' opened on 14 February 1995, to rave reviews and immense box office success.

Hill was survived by his wife, the actress ] (who appeared in many of his shows), and two sons from a previous marriage.


==Other information== ==Other information==
'''The Ken Hill Memorial Trust''' was set up after Hill died in 1995, to aid the Theatre Royal in supporting new talent in musical theatre. It now offers a biennial ] annually to help nurture new talent in theatrical writers. The award in 1997 was a total of £5,000 for the winner – £1000 in cash, with the balance going towards the production costs of a week's showcase at the Theatre Royal, where many of Ken Hill's works were premiered. In addition, royalties were paid to the writer for the showcase. The trustees also offered small cash prizes to five runners up. There is now news as to whether this trust or award still exists today or not. The Ken Hill Memorial Trust was set up after Hill died in 1995, to aid the Theatre Royal in supporting new talent in musical theatre. It now offers a biennial ] to help nurture new talent in theatrical writers. The award in 1997 was a total of £5,000 for the winner – £1000 in cash, with the balance going towards the production costs of a week's showcase at the Theatre Royal, where many of Ken Hill's works were premiered. In addition, royalties were paid to the writer for the showcase. The trustees also offered small cash prizes to five runners-up.


There are also "Ken Hill awards" for new talented playwrights and for the Best New Musical. There are also "Ken Hill awards" for talented new playwrights and for Best New Musical.


==References==
Some of Hill's plays, '']'', '']'', '']'' and his version of ''The Phantom of the Opera'', are available to purchase from ] in London. The rights to produce these shows can also be obtained by theatre groups, professional and amateur, who wish to perform them.
{{reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
* *
* *
* in London control the performance rights for Ken Hill's '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']'' * in London control the performance rights for Ken Hill's '''', '''', '''' and ''''
* includes links to purchase Ken Hill's published works. * includes links to purchase Ken Hill's published works.


{{Authority control}} {{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->
⚫ | NAME = Hill, Ken
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = British playwright and director
| DATE OF BIRTH = 28 January 1937
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = 23 January 1995
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫ }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hill, Ken}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Hill, Ken}}
] ]
] ]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 03:32, 17 June 2024

English playwright and theatre director For other uses, see Ken Hill.

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (June 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Ken Hill
Born(1937-01-28)28 January 1937
Birmingham, England
Died23 January 1995(1995-01-23) (aged 57)
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Playwright and theatre director
Notable workPhantom of the Opera
SpouseToni Palmer (second wife)
Children2 sons (from first marriage)

Ken Hill (28 January 1937 – 23 January 1995) was an English playwright and theatre director.

Ken Hill was a protégé of Joan Littlewood at Theatre Workshop. He was known for his chaotic musicals on the tiny stage of the old Theatre Royal Stratford East, Theatre Workshop's home in Stratford, London, but he also had hits in the West End and abroad. Among them were The Invisible Man and the original stage version of Phantom of the Opera, which inspired Andrew Lloyd Webber to create his musical blockbuster of the same title.

Biography

Ken Hill was born in Birmingham, England on 28 January 1937. He was educated at King Edward VI's Grammar School, Camp Hill, Birmingham, after which he joined an amateur theatrical company, Crescent Theatre, sweeping the floor, making props, writing and directing. His first play, Night Season, was put on at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, in 1963. For a time, he worked as an investigative journalist for ATV and it was there that he caused controversy with his report on corruption in Birmingham's local government.

In 1970, Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop returned to the Theatre Royal Stratford East. A satire on local authorities was discussed as a good subject for a new production, and Hill's name was put forward as a possible writer. The result of the collaboration Hill's Forward Up Your End (1970) was criticised by some of the press for its juvenile humor, but Joan Littlewood liked it and Hill stayed on.

Hill worked as an actor in numerous productions but preferred writing. He was made associate director and resident writer at Theatre Workshop from 1970 to 1974 and from 1974 to 1976 he took over as artistic director, Joan Littlewood by this time having left for projects in Tunisia.

Hill's productions there included Is Your Doctor Really Necessary? (1973), a collaboration with songwriter Tony Macaulay, The Count of Monte Cristo (1974), Gentlemen Prefer Anything (1974) and Dracula (1974). He then became artistic director of the Musical Theatre Company, directing for the West End: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Westminster Theatre (for Andrew Lloyd Webber), The Mikado, and Fiddler on the Roof. Other West End credits include Playdoctoring productions of Drake's Dream and Wren.

Shortly after, he was commissioned by the National Theatre for a version of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. He then wrote and directed for television: All the Fun of the Fair – in the course of his life, Hill wrote over 100 scripts for various television programs. His other commissions for various theatres include: The Curse of the Werewolf, The Mummy's Tomb, Mafeking, The Three Musketeers, Bel Ami, The Living Dead, and a new translation of Jacques Offenbach's La Vie parisienne. Hill was also commissioned for productions of Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors, and a Narnia trilogy. He also adapted and directed two books by Catherine Cookson and completed a third for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

He left Theatre Workshop in 1976 and worked for some years as the Director of Productions at the Newcastle Playhouse. That same year, he first staged his version of Phantom of the Opera at the Duke's Playhouse in Lancaster (and also on Morecambe Pier). In 1983, he adapted Catherine Cookson's Katie Mulholland into a stage musical for the Playhouse with songs by Eric Boswell. In 1984, an updated version of Phantom of the Opera was revived and produced in a joint production with the Newcastle Playhouse and the Theatre Royal Stratford East. Andrew Lloyd Webber was inspired by the production and wrote his musical The Phantom of the Opera, which opened in the West End in 1986 after talks of staging Hill's version fell through. Hill's Phantom went abroad to St. Louis in the United States in 1987 and had another major production in San Francisco in 1988. The musical then embarked on a two-year-long national tour of the US from 1989 to 1991. The show also transferred to the West End in 1991 but, despite excellent notices, did badly at the box office and was forced to close earlier than expected. Since then, Phantom of the Opera has arguably become one of his most famous works and has toured the world – the most recent production was in Tokyo, Japan in November 2004.

The Invisible Man, with illusions by the magician, Paul Kieve, fared much better in the West End, transferring from Stratford East to the Vaudeville Theatre in 1993. This show was a particular favorite of Hill's, combining his love of stage trickery and optical jokes, including the unbandaged 'invisible' head of the Invisible Man smoking a cigar. At his request, everyone working in the theatre, from the cleaning staff upwards, signed a document forbidding them to reveal how this was done to the press.

Despite having cancer intermittently for 12 years, Hill was a prolific writer and sent Stratford East ideas for new productions right up until his death from cancer on 23 January 1995 aged 57. He died just two weeks before the opening of what was his final production, Zorro The Musical!, which he directed. Zorro opened on 14 February 1995, to rave reviews and immense box office success.

Other information

The Ken Hill Memorial Trust was set up after Hill died in 1995, to aid the Theatre Royal in supporting new talent in musical theatre. It now offers a biennial Musical Theatre Award to help nurture new talent in theatrical writers. The award in 1997 was a total of £5,000 for the winner – £1000 in cash, with the balance going towards the production costs of a week's showcase at the Theatre Royal, where many of Ken Hill's works were premiered. In addition, royalties were paid to the writer for the showcase. The trustees also offered small cash prizes to five runners-up.

There are also "Ken Hill awards" for talented new playwrights and for Best New Musical.

References

  1. "Theatre: Moustache-wiggling, eye-boggling, swashbuckling spoof". The Independent. 17 February 1995. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  2. BWW News Desk. "Meet the Current Cast of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Broadway!". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  3. "`PHANTOM` PHUROR". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.

External links

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