Script & Lyrics by Ed Cooke, Music by Ed Cooke & Martin Cliffe, Additional Music by Neil Jones
Another of Ed's intriguing and entertaining creations, he describes it in his
own words:
Greg Kallendar is the newly-appointed Chief of Section 451 at
the Ministry of Death. For all that he is driven to compete for
promotion, Greg can't shake the faint memories of his lost
love... if only he could remember her name.
Julia is an enigma. She has escaped from a sinister experiment
in Laboratory 6, but whatever the Ministry's warped scientist Janus Arval inflicted on her has taken a terrible toll.
Mr. Sheen may be a cleaner at the Ministry, but he is also a
secret agent of the ruling powers from a previous universe, sent
past the end of that world and entrusted with the accumulated
wisdom of its most advanced civilisation.
Greg wants to remember. Julia wants to forget. Time, even if
there is as much of it as Sheen would have us believe, is
running out...
Click here to see some PHOTOS
By Ed Cooke
Script, Lyrics & Music by Amy Arthur/Stephen Clark/Jeff Neate
Script, Lyrics & Music by Chip Edmonds
Script & Lyrics by Ed Cooke, Music by Jeff Neate
Here is the poster(pdf) for the show, designed by Jacqueline Walpole, who also played the Soul Trader of the title
Script & Lyrics by Amy Arthur
Music by Stephen Clark
A world of nursery rhyme and storybook characters wonder who really is 'Writing
their Story'?
Find out more, see photographs, buy CDs from the Dance To My Tune
website.
Script & lyrics by Ed Cooke
Music & Sound Design by The Timber Merchants
Script & lyrics by Ed Cooke
Music by Jeff Neate & Martin Cliffe
Read some of the script, the lyrics, and a review in N-igma, Newnham College's Magazine
CCMS' 2001 production was 'Frontiers' written by Steven Kitson, lyrics by Ed Cooke, music by Jeff Neate & additional music by Martin Cliffe.
It was an allegory most often compared to 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' set in space... hints of Star Trek everywhere!
A review in Newnham's College magazine summed it up well!
Lots of fun, loads of cheesy dancing, a couple of bizarre killing by kissing scenes... great music!
Two angels - one good, one bad.
One bet over one soul.
One big mess.
2000 brought us reputedly one of the best musicals of recent years.
Originally by Martin Saunders, with extra bits by Steven Kitson and music by
Jeff Neate, "Working Angels' Club" was a fantastic production that had something
for everyone - comedy, poignancy, drama and, of course, very catchy songs!
Take a look at some cast pictures, download some songs!
For the 1999 musical, the committee had two musicals to choose from – "Daybreak" and "Burning Questions" by Paul Fields and Rob Frost. In the end, both were chosen. Martin Saunders from Homerton took the best bits of both musicals (mainly the music) and produced a new script, "Scoop".
"Scoop" follows the life of Dave, an ordinary guy, in the events following the cruicifixion of Jesus. Dave always seems to miss out on the action, and never actually meets Jesus. However, through the testimony of others and the investigations of his reporter friend Ruth, he finds out what Jesus was about.
"Worldview" was a new musical, the script of which was written by a member of the society, Chris Corney. In October 1997, when it was decided that this would be the year's production, the songs and music had not yet been written. It is a testimony to God's grace that we found two people, Matthew Cripps and Andy Young, who were gifted enough to write the lyrics and music in the space of two months leading up to Christmas.
"Worldview" centres around Jenny, an average student with average debts, average neuroses, and three equally average flatmates, Jo, Chris and Dave. Dave, as far as Jenny is concerned, is a bit of a happy clappy Christian, but other than that, he's a nice enough bloke. One night, as Jenny sleeps, she leaves one world of singing walruses to another equally bizarre world, where her mind is the very world she must explore in her quest for the truth. There are many characters in this world, some who will help and some who will try to prevent her from ever reaching her goal. Can she find the answer within herself?
The musical aimed to answer some of the questions and objections people
may have against believing something quite as strange as God coming down
to die for us; it didn't answer every question but sought to encourage
people that answers do exist.
1997: Yours Personally?
St Andrew's Street Baptist Church
1997 saw a return of "Yours Personally?" (previously performed in 1994), written by Kate Green, again in St. Andrews Street Baptist Church. A Varsity Reviewer was invited to come and review the show . In some ways the review was disappointing. The main criticism, however, was that we were uncompromising in our message that "without God everything is meaningless," which was the central theme of the musical, and we didn't want to compromise in putting this across.
There is also an
alternative review written in response to the Varsity review.
1996: Looking On...
St Andrew's Street Baptist Church
In February 1996, C.C.M.S. moved to a new venue, St Andrews Street Baptist Church. (Here, there was space for the band, and none of the audience had stone pillars to look through.) The show was "Looking On...", originally by Ashley Thompson and Kirk Thomasson, adapted and dramatised by members of C.C.M.S.. The musical was filled with colourful acting, singing and dancing, with the music ranging from the moody to the downright funky! The set was also an impressive feat for a "non-theatre" venue, providing street scenes, a war camp and a motorway bridge (not to mention the inside of a church!).
The story follows Max, who's "got it all" - the job in the city, the wife, the home. But when he's called up to fight in the war, and kills an innocent civilian, he starts asking questions. How could anyone love him, a killer?
He returns home to find he has lost his job, lost his wife and lost his house. Everything he had lived for is gone. Now he is no more than the homeless beggars on the street whom he had looked down on so scornfully before. Even the church which marches past shouting "We're holier than thou!" doesn't seem to care.
All Max has left is his friend Jim, who has been with him through school and out to war. As Max is left thinking that there's nothing left to live for, Jim explains that everyone suffers. Even being a Christian, like Jim, doesn't mean that you won't be hurt or feel pain. Max is wondering who, if anyone, actually cares about him. Is there a God? If so, where is he and what is he doing? Jim tells him that he knows that God is there, and that he does care. But why won't Max listen? Jim can't bear to see it happen all over again...
The show had strong messages both for Christians and non-Christians, challenging our priorities in this world and asking what it is we are basing our lives on. It questioned our relationships with God and with each other - are they honest and caring, or just superficial and empty, or even non-existent?
Over 300 people saw the show, which even received praise from the critics (3 *'s in "Varsity"!). The show, an ambitious one for the Society, was a definite success.
1985's show was "Gregory's God", its first production outside St. Andrews University where it was written. The story follows the mundane life of factory-worker Gregory and his love for Sarah, a Christian colleague. She introduces him to church life and explains the salvation message of the Gospel, with the show ending dramatically as Gregory faces the biggest decision of his life.
The show was a great success, with record ticket sales for the group,
and a number of people prompted to find out about Christianity.
The following is a reconstucted history based on old programmes, minutes and information from previous members of CCMS, including Mike Whitaker. Any more information on past shows is very welcome.
The first performance of "Yours Personally", written for CCMS. Also taken on tour during the following Long Vac.
Two musicals by Adrian Snell and performed in Holy Trinity. This may have been in 1991, however.
Again, written by Adrian Snell and performed in Holy Trinity. This may have been in 1992.
Performed at Holy Trinity.
Performed at Holy Trinity.
This was performed at Robinson Auditorium, and written by a member of the society. A 1984 copyright notice appears in the programme.
?1987: Light of the World/The Passion
"Light of the world" was a short musical written by Paul Mazumdar, a member of the society. "The Passion" was written by Adrian Snell. They were performed at Robinson Auditorium. This was possibly in 1986.
1986: And the Word Became Flesh
"And the Word Became Flesh" was performed on 6,7,8 March. Assuming that the 8th was a Saturday, it was in 1986. It may have been 1987, however.
"Kingdom Come" was performed on Wednesday and Thursday 13 and 14 March. This puts it as 1985 or 1991. The entry price of £1.50 suggests 1985. Also the year of the earliest known constitution.
Probably the first musical the CCMS performed. There is no record of CCMS before this date.
A musical that was performed in Cambridge in 1982 (and in Andover in 1980). May or may not have been CCMS.