David Heneker Archive
David Heneker was a composer who wrote or contributed to a large number of musicals. One of these was Half a Sixpence which was a great success in the West End and on Broadway, and was adapted into a film with Tommy Steele. Other shows include Irma la Douce, which was nominated for a Tony Award on Broadway, and Charlie Girl which ran for over five years in the West End. His success at musicals followed many years of composing songs, including the successful ‘The Thingummy Bob That’s Going to Win the War’ that was recorded by Gracie Fields for the film One Exciting Night.
The collection contains David Heneker’s working papers for the many shows and songs he worked on, including script drafts and original scores and lyrics for songs, as well as memorabilia such as programmes and posters. The collection is fascinating for anyone interested in musical theatre and David Heneker’s work, as well as illustrating how stage shows are taken from an initial idea to production and beyond.