Photo Flash: Elaine Paige, Julian Fellowes, Cliff Richard & More at HALF A SIXPENCE

Last night, the West End transfer of Half a Sixpence - presented by Cameron Mackintosh, who co-produced with Chichester Festival Theatre - opened at Noël Coward Theatre. It stars newcomers Charlie Stemp as 'Arthur Kipps' and Devon-Elise Johnson as 'Ann Pornick' alongside three times Olivier-nominated actor Ian Bartholomew as 'Chitterlow' and three times Olivier-nominated actress Emma Williams as 'Helen Walsingham', directed by Rachel Kavanaugh with choreography from Andrew Wright.

This new stage version of Half a Sixpence, the musical adaptation of H.G. Wells's semi- autobiographical novel 'Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul', is a completely fresh adaptation which reunites book-writer Julian Fellowes with George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The score is inspired by and features several of composer David Heneker's exhilarating songs from the original production, including 'Flash Bang Wallop', 'Money To Burn' and 'Half A Sixpence'.

Arthur Kipps, an orphan and over-worked draper's assistant at the turn of the last century, unexpectedly inherits a fortune that propels him into high society. His childhood companion, Ann Pornick, watches with dismay as Arthur is made over in a new image by the beautiful and classy Helen Walsingham. Both young women undoubtedly love Arthur - but which of them should he listen to? With the help of his friends, Arthur learns that if you want to have the chance of living the right life, you need to make the right choices.

See photographs from the opening below by Bernd Talasch for BroadwayWorld

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