I'm opening this thread cause I know there's a fair few interested parties on this board who either participate in Musicals or at least enjoy going to see them.
I'll start the ball rolling by recommending a wonderful musical by Howard Goodall, based on the book by Melvin Bragg. The synopsis is in my own words and I'd ask anyone contributing to the the same.
The Hired Man
Set in Cumbria around the turn of the century, the story follows John Tallantire and his young wife Emily as their lives unfold through the beginning of the industrial age, the decline of the agricultural life, the birth of Trade Unionism, World War I and the Mining communities. The story is at it's heart a simple one of family life. John and Emily begin their lives together making a new start when John attends a Hiring Fair and is taken on as a Hired Man or Farm Labourer for Pennington, a landowner. His dedication to his work and his rapid adjustment to settled life leaves his young wife feeling discontented and vulnerable to the attentions of the landowners raffish son Jackson. She fights her growing attraction, but finally succumbs to his advances, only to have him leave her and sign up for the Army, leaving her marriage in tatters. Meanwhile, John's brother Seth is working for Miners Rights and the struggling trade unions while his other brother Isaac lives the life of a gambler and hunter.
In the second act we see John now working in the Mines and his young family is now grown. His daughter May works in the local shop and his son Harry has just signed on at the Mines. War comes and John, Seth and Isaac leave for the front. Their letters home are a comfort and a constant worry to Emily, that is only worsened when Harry announces his intent to sign up as soon as he's of age. Inevitably, he does, and is killed in action. Jackson Pennington, Emily's erstwhile lover is also killed while saving Isaac's life. The final scenes show the true depth of love that John and Emily truly carried for each other even after all the hurt and loss they have suffered together.
If you ever get the chance, see this show.
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