The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd

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The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd

Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy  /  2w, 3m plus ensemble

Book, Music and Lyrics by
Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Produced for the Broadway Stage by David Merrick

A rousing music-hall allegory, The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd explores British class structure through the antics of two comic figures: Sir, who has everything, and Cocky, who has nothing.

Image: Sam Norkin

The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 3m plus ensemble
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Fable/Folktale, Experimental
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee: Six 1965 Tony Awards, including Best Composer & Lyricist
The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd

Details

Summary
A rousing music-hall allegory, The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd explores British class structure through the antics of two comic figures: Sir, who has everything, and Cocky, who has nothing. The two clowns fiercely compete in a “Game of Life,” in which Sir holds every advantage. Cocky struggles to overcome the obstacles Sir lays in his path, and soon grows as judgmental and bellicose as Sir himself. In time, Cocky and Sir reconcile and develop a mutual, if cautious, understanding.
History
The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre on 16 May 1965. Directed by Anthony Newley, the production featured Newley, Cyril Ritchard, Sally Smith and Joyce Jillson.
  • Time Period Not Applicable
  • Setting A rocky place.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“Lively… amusing and exciting theatre.” – The New York Times

“Boasts some damned fine songs… The score is undoubtedly worth the cost of admission.” – The Guardian

“Spectacular… complex, surreal, and yet whimsical.” – DC Theater Arts

“Eccentric… a piece about inversion, exposing the dark side of theatrical archetypes and stock figures of the British class system… it draws heavily on the British Music Hall tradition, combined with a sense of Continental absurdism.” – Exeunt Magazine

Photos

  • The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd

    Image: Sam Norkin

Music

Music Samples

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Easy
  • Vocal DemandsDifficult
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size No Chorus

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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Authors

Leslie Bricusse

Leslie Bricusse

Leslie Bricusse (1931-2021) was a writer/composer/lyricist who contributed to many musical films and plays during his long, award-winning career.

He was born in London and educated at University College School and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. At Cambridge, he was pre ...

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Author

Anthony Newley

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