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Glorious!: The True Story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the Worst Singer in the World

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  4w, 2m

In 1940's New York, the performer who everyone wanted to see live was Florence Foster Jenkins, an enthusiastic soprano whose pitch was far from perfect.

Glorious!: The True Story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the Worst Singer in the World

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Biography
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences, Adult, Senior, Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Teen (Age 14 - 18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee! Laurence Olivier Award as Best New Comedy

Details

Summary

Hilarious comedy of the worst singer in the world In 1940's New York, the performer who everyone wanted to see live was Florence Foster Jenkins, an enthusiastic soprano whose pitch was far from perfect. Known as 'the first lady of the sliding scale', she warbled and screeched her way through the evening to an audience who mostly fell about with laughter. But this delusional and joyously happy woman paid little attention to her critics, instead she was surrounded by a circle of devoted friends who were almost as eccentric as she was.

Based upon a true story, the play spins from Florence's charity recitals and extravagent balls, through to her bizarre recording sessions and an ultimate triumph at Carnegie Hall in this hilarious and heart-warming comedy.

Find video clips of Glorious in performance around the world here

 
History
Birmingham Repertory Theatre, September 2005.  Transferred to the Duchess Theatre, London, West End in November 2005.  Show ran for over 200 performances.  Starring Maureen Lipman.  Nominated for the Olivier Award - Best New Comedy.

Florence Foster Jenkins is a singer.  A bad singer.  One of the worst ever (but she just doesn't realise).  Companies could cast an actress who sings, who will then learn to sing badly.  Or they can cast an actress who does not sing and she can just fight for the notes as she does in the shower.  It works either way.  So long as the actress has a keen sense of comedy, she will find a way of making Florence sing in the terrible way that made her so infamous.

  • Time Period 1940s / WWII
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Physical Comedy, Play w/ Music
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

"A delightful and blissfully funny play that generates a rare glow of warmth and generous laughter"           - Daily Telegraph

"Outstandingly droll and surprisingly touching"  -  The Independent

"Comically Sublime"  -  The Guardian

"A lunatically funny play that will keep you very happy... A glittering comedy with a heart"                    - Sunday Times

Videos

  • Clip from the Fulton Opera House production youtube thumbnail

    Clip from the Fulton Opera House production

  • Austrian premiere of Glorious! youtube thumbnail

    Austrian premiere of Glorious!

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:

Authors

Peter Quilter

Peter Quilter’s plays have been produced in 40 countries around the world and translated into 30 languages. He has had three successful shows in London’s West End and a hit run on Broadway, and has twice been nominated for the Olivier Award, for Best New Play and Best New Com ...

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