​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sam Kenyon

The Borrowers, 2012

This selection of songs for The Borrowers was commissioned by Erica Whyman at Northern Stage for Christmas 2012 to complement the existing adaptation by Charles Way.

Music & Lyrics by Sam Kenyon, except for Yes, Yes (lyrics by Charles Way).

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Arrietty Clock lives under the floorboards with her parents Pod and Homily, but longs to escape into the wide world. When she hears about the death of her cousin, Eggletina, at the paws of a cat, she tells her parents of her longing for open spaces and freedom (Father's a Wonderful Borrower). Homily and Pod agree that she can learn to borrow, but first they must teach her of the dangers of approaching 'human beans' (The Feeling). Following Arrietty's first borrowing experience, the Clocks' nest is discovered by the housekeeper, Mrs Driver, who explains to Crampfurl the Gardener just how to deal with this infestation (Little People). The Clocks escape to the countryside, and Arrietty takes a moment to account for the journey she's taken so far (Hey, World, Can You See Me?). She meets another Borrower, called Spiller, who helps the family find their long lost relatives, including Eggletina, who managed to escape, after all. As Spiller leaves the family to their celebrations, he and Arrietty sing a duet, tentatively declaring their attraction to each other (Yes, Yes). 

 

The Glass Slipper, 2011

This series of songs for The Glass Slipper by Stephen Sharkey was commissioned by Erica Whyman at Northern Stage for Christmas 2011.

Music by Sam Kenyon, Lyrics by Stephen Sharkey & Sam Kenyon.



Mortally weak following a difficult birth, Isabella is singing to her new-born baby girl, Ella (Lullababy, accompanied by guitar, glockenspiel and wine glasses). Isabella dies shortly afterwards, leaving the infant Ella in the hands of her father, Henry. Years later, Henry is abroad on a business trip when he writes to Ella informing her that a new mother and two new sisters will shortly be arriving.  Augusta, Euphronia and Charlotte arrive and immediately teach Ella her place in the new status quo (Cookerella). Left alone in the kitchen to sleep on the cold stone floor, Ella invokes the memory of her mother, Isabella, and sings herself to sleep (I'll Lullaby Myself).



After her sisters have gone to Prince Hubert's ball, a ghostly Isabella appears, dresses Ella in finery and puts her into a magical hot-air balloon, sending her off to the ball with a song (Dancerella). At the ball, the string quartet plays a tune familiar to Ella (Gavotterella, based on I'll Lullaby Myself, recorded live). 



String Quartet: Violins: Ed Cross and Sarah Crossan; Viola: Olivia Cameron; Cello: Michael Moore.