I was lucky enough to catch the Hull Truck production of this several times, with the cast on a revolve and playing their own instruments. Such talented cast, such warm soaring harmonies, absolutely perfect musical for the more intimate space. Just wish we could invite the talented highly respected HG to write more yearning gorgeous musicals like this one. I hope it is not too long before it comes around again. Little Shop of Horrors is Hull’s Summer production this year. Mike H.
It's such a great show and I'm so pleased that it has had so many iterations over the years. I'd love to see the scaled down actor musician version. I've heard it's amazing. Howard is such a talented man and it's a shame that his musicals have never really had the critical success they deserve. My husband has directed both The Hired Man and The Dreaming and enjoyed the privilege of appreciating his music on an even deeper level. Enjoy Little Shop - I love that show
I saw this at least 5 times at the Astoria. Maybe one of the most heartrending musicals ever written. I still listen to the cast album regularly (curtesy of The Howard Goodall office). It has never been given the kudos it deserves but then its not a musical of glamour or fantasy but rather of grim reality, the trials of the human condition and the pressure and tragedy that war brings to all. What a fitting tribute that Paul and Julia married after this production.
Hi there. Sorry just seen your comment. It's Paul (Clarkson) here. I have been trawling through old videos trying to get a website together for me and Julia (Hills) - we have been married now for 26 years and have 3 children, four cats and two rabbits! I found this on the Olivier Awards ceremony recording! Hope you are well x
This brings back so many memories, because I worked at the Astoria Theatre as a member of the stage crew on The Hired Man. Julia Hills’ performance was fabulous, and so were the performances of all the actors. The musicians were brilliant, and on the last ever performance of The Hired Man at the Astoria…Howard Goodall himself played piano; truly brilliant! I worked both backstage and onstage during the shows (moving the scenery between scenes, and taking props from the actors as they came offstage, etc); the actors were really cool, and so were all the other people who worked on this production. Hats off to you, Julia Hills, for posting this video online; I remember you well when you were performing in The Hired Man at the Astoria, thank you for bringing back many happy memories to me x
Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for ages and only just managed to get back in! Thank you so much! Oh that's such a great story I'd forgotten about Howard playing the last ever show! Thank you for being a part of such a life changing experience. Paul and I are still married and now have a son playing Javert in the West End and a daughter who is a stand up comedian and comedy sketch maker/writer!
Thank you for your lovely reply to my comment, Julia; it’s heartwarming to hear that you and Paul are still together, and that it all started way back when you were both in The Hired Man, at the Astoria. Both of you have obviously passed on your talents to your children, who have followed in your footsteps and become performers in their own right. The Hired Man, at the Astoria, was an exceptional theatre production, and I feel privileged to have been a part of it (albeit a small but essential cog in a very big wheel). I look back with great fondness at my time at the Astoria, and the many experiences I had during each performance (some of which were both funny and nerve wracking at the same time). I’m sure you wouldn’t have been aware of; the time when the plough started sliding downstage, and I was hiding behind one of the fibreglass boulders and bracing my foot against it to stop it slipping further, and the actors continued singing whilst aware that I was the only thing stopping them sliding offstage, lol. (They all thanked me for it afterwards though). I also remember Billy Hartman regularly coming down to the crew room, and telling us jokes during the interval; such a great guy. Great reminiscing with you, Julia, and my best wishes to you, Paul, your children, and your future success in all you do xx
@@darrenwilliams8452 Thnaks Darren for all your good wishes. I vaguely remember the plough incident! 😃and Billy was such an amazing character and a lovely man. All best wishes to you and yours for a lovely festive aseason and a happy and healthy new year
I'm so glad to have found this video. I performed this show close to 20 years ago and I still think it is one of the most underrated musicals. The haunting melodies have stayed with me over the decades. Thank you very much for sharing this.
Ah WODS where it all started! I am so thrilled that this video has been viewed so many times. It is a precious record of a unique event. Thanks for the comment.
I saw this production at The Astoria the year before I went to drama school. There are not many productions that I have seen that make me rise to my feet automatically, but this was certainly one of them. Congratulations to you both. I never realised that you were married. Will listen to the O.C.A. with new meaning. Time for a west end revival of this show I think.
Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for years and only just managed to get back in! Thanks Ronnie - still married and now our son is playing Javert in the west end and our daughter is a stand up and comedy sketch maker/writer
Just watched the footage from the oliviers of the hired man, thanks to the nomination I went to see the show before the awards and fell in love with it. Saw it four times before it closed, and every professional production I can. I also got to direct it for my am dram group 20 years ago. I too kept the video of this for many years but can no longer play it. Was fantastic to stumble on this today. Thanks for uploading.
Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for years and only just managed to get back in! Thank you and I'm so glad you were able to be reminded of the show via this clip. Thnaks for your support as a Hired Man regular! :-)
@anniemo50 Thank you - I think this is the only video record of the show taken from the Olivier Awards coverage. I found it on a video in the loft at my mothers! So glad you enjoyed the show. It was a wonderful time for both me and Julia.
Thank you for finding this I must have seen The Hired Man at least 4 times when it was showing in London. One of my all time favourite musicals. What memories.
Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for years and only just managed to get back in! Thank you - it is a landmark production in my life and the world of musical theatre
Ah Julia, thanks for the response. The Hired Man remains one of my all time favourites shows and the CD is a regular 'go-to' whenever I have a long drive. Still bubble up at No Choir of Angels 😢😂
Oh goodness - I can't listen to that song in particular especially as Paul and I are now the right age for the characters at that pinot in the show!@@Scottish-Exile
Great to see this original footage! The Hired Man has a big place in my heart, a show ive loved for years. Strangely enough, the first time i saw it was in Cardiff, in a Musical Festival, was when i was there with a WODS show. It wasnt till the journey home that i heard about the connection :) I have a 2 cd set of the OLC that has all the songs and many scenes too, pretty rare i believe.
WODS!? Is that Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society. My husband was a memeber and his mother was on wardrobe for years! Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for years and only just managed to get back in! HIred Man ias an amazing show and one I will never forget for so many reasons
@@julia_hills Yes! I remember Margaret Clarke well.. As you said, she did wardrobe for years for both the adult and youth shows. Yikes, that was 35 years ago now. Good times! ( Thanks for replying when you could! - i am the same person as above, just changed the name in the past 11 years!)
@@julia_hills Thank you for replying. It is a bit too political, but what isn't nowadays? Sometimes people need to be reminded that life is not a million-pound all-singing, all - dancing extravaganza. Sending you best wishes.
@@ex-cabincrew thank you. Hamilton is one of my all time fave musicals and that manages to confront some challenging themes very successfully as does Wicked - I prefer those musicals to the all singing all dancing ones 😃
Was that Brian Auker? How brilliant I have only today been sharing some photos on facebook of a Hired Man trip to Alton Towers when we were in Leicester and Brian was part of the group. So glad you liked the video. Sadly I dont think there is a video record of the whole show as this was taken from the Olivier Awards show on TV
That’s so cool! I love Emily Blunt (although who doesn’t?!) I was never a fan of many musical films until they made Into The Woods - didn’t even know she could sing..! Now my daughter rolls her eyes everytime I put it on 🤣
Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for ages and only just managed to get back in! I think that's a fair point John although this was a sequence that was filmed specifically for the Olivier Awards ceremony and required us to be more static as they had so few cameras :-)
![The Hired Man [Opening] NYMT 2014](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cuPnX6fQcc8/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Hired Man [Opening] NYMT 2014](/img/tr.png)
Brilliant 🥰 I'm so glad Abi shared ☀️
Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for years and only just managed to get back in! Thnak you :-)
I was lucky enough to catch the Hull Truck production of this several times, with the cast on a revolve and playing their own instruments. Such talented cast, such warm soaring harmonies, absolutely perfect musical for the more intimate space. Just wish we could invite the talented highly respected HG to write more yearning gorgeous musicals like this one. I hope it is not too long before it comes around again. Little Shop of Horrors is Hull’s Summer production this year. Mike H.
It's such a great show and I'm so pleased that it has had so many iterations over the years. I'd love to see the scaled down actor musician version. I've heard it's amazing. Howard is such a talented man and it's a shame that his musicals have never really had the critical success they deserve. My husband has directed both The Hired Man and The Dreaming and enjoyed the privilege of appreciating his music on an even deeper level. Enjoy Little Shop - I love that show
I saw this at least 5 times at the Astoria. Maybe one of the most heartrending musicals ever written. I still listen to the cast album regularly (curtesy of The Howard Goodall office). It has never been given the kudos it deserves but then its not a musical of glamour or fantasy but rather of grim reality, the trials of the human condition and the pressure and tragedy that war brings to all. What a fitting tribute that Paul and Julia married after this production.
Sorry been locked out of this account forever! Thank you so much. It was a life changing experience!
Hi there. Sorry just seen your comment. It's Paul (Clarkson) here. I have been trawling through old videos trying to get a website together for me and Julia (Hills) - we have been married now for 26 years and have 3 children, four cats and two rabbits! I found this on the Olivier Awards ceremony recording! Hope you are well x
This brings back so many memories, because I worked at the Astoria Theatre as a member of the stage crew on The Hired Man.
Julia Hills’ performance was fabulous, and so were the performances of all the actors.
The musicians were brilliant, and on the last ever performance of The Hired Man at the Astoria…Howard Goodall himself played piano; truly brilliant!
I worked both backstage and onstage during the shows (moving the scenery between scenes, and taking props from the actors as they came offstage, etc); the actors were really cool, and so were all the other people who worked on this production.
Hats off to you, Julia Hills, for posting this video online; I remember you well when you were performing in The Hired Man at the Astoria, thank you for bringing back many happy memories to me x
Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for ages and only just managed to get back in! Thank you so much! Oh that's such a great story I'd forgotten about Howard playing the last ever show! Thank you for being a part of such a life changing experience. Paul and I are still married and now have a son playing Javert in the West End and a daughter who is a stand up comedian and comedy sketch maker/writer!
Thank you for your lovely reply to my comment, Julia; it’s heartwarming to hear that you and Paul are still together, and that it all started way back when you were both in The Hired Man, at the Astoria.
Both of you have obviously passed on your talents to your children, who have followed in your footsteps and become performers in their own right.
The Hired Man, at the Astoria, was an exceptional theatre production, and I feel privileged to have been a part of it (albeit a small but essential cog in a very big wheel).
I look back with great fondness at my time at the Astoria, and the many experiences I had during each performance (some of which were both funny and nerve wracking at the same time).
I’m sure you wouldn’t have been aware of; the time when the plough started sliding downstage, and I was hiding behind one of the fibreglass boulders and bracing my foot against it to stop it slipping further, and the actors continued singing whilst aware that I was the only thing stopping them sliding offstage, lol.
(They all thanked me for it afterwards though).
I also remember Billy Hartman regularly coming down to the crew room, and telling us jokes during the interval; such a great guy.
Great reminiscing with you, Julia, and my best wishes to you, Paul, your children, and your future success in all you do xx
@@darrenwilliams8452 Thnaks Darren for all your good wishes. I vaguely remember the plough incident! 😃and Billy was such an amazing character and a lovely man. All best wishes to you and yours for a lovely festive aseason and a happy and healthy new year
Have a great festive season too, Julia and family; my very kindest regards, Darren x
I'm so glad to have found this video.
I performed this show close to 20 years ago and I still think it is one of the most underrated musicals.
The haunting melodies have stayed with me over the decades.
Thank you very much for sharing this.
Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for years and only just managed to get back in! It was an incredible show and changed my life!
Ah WODS where it all started! I am so thrilled that this video has been viewed so many times. It is a precious record of a unique event. Thanks for the comment.
Playing at Kilcock Musical and Dramatic Society this week. Great Show, Great Cast
I saw this production at The Astoria the year before I went to drama school. There are not many productions that I have seen that make me rise to my feet automatically, but this was certainly one of them. Congratulations to you both. I never realised that you were married. Will listen to the O.C.A. with new meaning. Time for a west end revival of this show I think.
Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for years and only just managed to get back in! Thanks Ronnie - still married and now our son is playing Javert in the west end and our daughter is a stand up and comedy sketch maker/writer
Just watched the footage from the oliviers of the hired man, thanks to the nomination I went to see the show before the awards and fell in love with it. Saw it four times before it closed, and every professional production I can. I also got to direct it for my am dram group 20 years ago. I too kept the video of this for many years but can no longer play it. Was fantastic to stumble on this today. Thanks for uploading.
Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for years and only just managed to get back in! Thank you and I'm so glad you were able to be reminded of the show via this clip. Thnaks for your support as a Hired Man regular! :-)
Beautiful 🥺💚
Thank you :-)
Great to hear this again! I remember the original production vividly - and can STILL sing along with the numbers!
Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for years and only just managed to get back in! It is the most gorgeous score and a beautiful show
@anniemo50 Thank you - I think this is the only video record of the show taken from the Olivier Awards coverage. I found it on a video in the loft at my mothers! So glad you enjoyed the show. It was a wonderful time for both me and Julia.
best show ever!! thank you!!! thank you!! like yesterday! i know every word!
Thank you for finding this I must have seen The Hired Man at least 4 times when it was showing in London. One of my all time favourite musicals. What memories.
thank you so much. It was an amazing show to be a part of and changed my life!
Love this show. Saw the concert version at the Palace Theatre in 1992 and regularly play the album
Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for years and only just managed to get back in! Thank you - it is a landmark production in my life and the world of musical theatre
Ah Julia, thanks for the response. The Hired Man remains one of my all time favourites shows and the CD is a regular 'go-to' whenever I have a long drive.
Still bubble up at No Choir of Angels 😢😂
Oh goodness - I can't listen to that song in particular especially as Paul and I are now the right age for the characters at that pinot in the show!@@Scottish-Exile
Great to see this original footage! The Hired Man has a big place in my heart, a show ive loved for years. Strangely enough, the first time i saw it was in Cardiff, in a Musical Festival, was when i was there with a WODS show. It wasnt till the journey home that i heard about the connection :) I have a 2 cd set of the OLC that has all the songs and many scenes too, pretty rare i believe.
WODS!? Is that Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society. My husband was a memeber and his mother was on wardrobe for years! Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for years and only just managed to get back in! HIred Man ias an amazing show and one I will never forget for so many reasons
@@julia_hills Yes! I remember Margaret Clarke well.. As you said, she did wardrobe for years for both the adult and youth shows. Yikes, that was 35 years ago now. Good times! ( Thanks for replying when you could! - i am the same person as above, just changed the name in the past 11 years!)
@@DDTC73 thanks - eek! where does the time go!?
Amazing to see live footage of this landmark musical - any more clips would be thrilling to see
thank you sadly this is the only footage I have
This is such a good musical - why is it so rarely produced in England?
A bit too political and dour I fear :-(
@@julia_hills Thank you for replying. It is a bit too political, but what isn't nowadays? Sometimes people need to be reminded that life is not a million-pound all-singing, all - dancing extravaganza. Sending you best wishes.
@@ex-cabincrew thank you. Hamilton is one of my all time fave musicals and that manages to confront some challenging themes very successfully as does Wicked - I prefer those musicals to the all singing all dancing ones 😃
Was that Brian Auker? How brilliant I have only today been sharing some photos on facebook of a Hired Man trip to Alton Towers when we were in Leicester and Brian was part of the group. So glad you liked the video. Sadly I dont think there is a video record of the whole show as this was taken from the Olivier Awards show on TV
Fantastic clip! If you close your eyes, you sound a bit like Emily Blunt…!
Thanks Lynne - fun fact, I shared a flat with Emily Blunt's Mum when we were at University and we are still in touch!
That’s so cool! I love Emily Blunt (although who doesn’t?!) I was never a fan of many musical films until they made Into The Woods - didn’t even know she could sing..! Now my daughter rolls her eyes everytime I put it on 🤣
Wonderful singing, but doesn't the original production look a bit static?
Sorry, I've been locked out of this account for ages and only just managed to get back in! I think that's a fair point John although this was a sequence that was filmed specifically for the Olivier Awards ceremony and required us to be more static as they had so few cameras :-)