A 1963 musical comedy based on H. G. Wells' novel Kipps, with music and lyrics by David Henecker. It follows the adventures of Arthur Kipps, a young drapers assistant who inherits a fortune and his attempts to fit in with the upper class as well as choosing between his childhood sweetheart, Ann, and upper class girl, Helen.
The musical was a vehicle for singer Tommy Steele, who played Kipps in the West End and Broadway productions and repeated the role in the 1967 movie version. In 2016, a revised version of the show successfully opened in the West End, with a new book by Julian Fellowes and some new songs.
Tropes:
- Accent On The Wrong Syllable: Kipps pronounces "album" with the accent on "bum."
- Joke of the Butt: Every chorus of "Flash, Bang, Wallop!" ends with the famous line, "Stick it in your family album."
- Rags to Riches: Kipps unexpectedly inherits a fortune and has to adapt to his new social class.
- Shout-Out: Harry quotes, "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!"
