Buxton International Festival and Norwich Theatre launch a ground-breaking new co-
production for 2023, ‘The Land Of Might-Have-Been’. This bold new musical is built around
the songs of Ivor Novello and is loosely based on incidents in the early life of Buxton’s
pioneering feminist and pacifist Vera Brittain and the intriguing lives, loves and motivations
of those closest to her.
The Land Of Might-Have-Been, with book and lyrics by Michael Williams, follows on from
the success of another Buxton-inspired triumph, Williams’ award-winning opera, Georgiana.
It will be directed by Kimberley Sykes, conducted by Iwan Davies, designed by Nicky Shaw
with the music of Ivor Novello, including such lovely songs as My Dearest Dear, Waltz of My
Heart, My Life Belongs To you and Why Is There Ever Goodbye, arranged with additional
composition by Iain Farrington.
The story follows Vera and her soon-to-be fiancé Roland, and Vera’s brother Edward and
their close friend Bobbie over a long hot summer in Buxton in 1914. They all have their own ideas about their glittering futures but are faced with the prejudice and conventions of their time.
Vera is determined not to become a traditional young married woman but wants to
attend Oxford University and live an independent life. Her brother, Edward, dreams of
becoming a musician and composer but must hide his secret love for Bobbie from his family
and society. Roland wants to attend Oxford University and be an acclaimed poet, and
Bobbie, forced to follow in his father’s footsteps, would rather search for a new way of life
that would include Edward. The war in Europe shatters all their hopes and dreams when
Vera’s friends are killed in the battlefields, and she embarks on a life-long campaign for
peace and equality. The musical’s epilogue sees Vera’s daughter, Baroness (Shirley)
Williams, reflecting on her mother’s influential life.
Commenting, Michael Williams said:
“This is such an extraordinary story of love, hope,resilience and the rebellious spirit of young people. It throws new light on stories wethought we knew and also brings together the parallel but separate lives of Ivor Novello, the most successful British musical theatre composer of the early 20th century and Vera Brittain, the author of the most powerful memoir of that time, Testament of Youth. Bothyoung people were caught up in the tangles of forbidden love, war and terrible loss. It’sfitting and very poignant to be telling Vera’s story through Ivor’s beautiful songs.”
The Land Of Might-Have-Been is a fictional dramatization loosely based on incidents in the
life of Vera and Edward Brittain in the period just before and during the First World War and
is drawn from a variety of sources. The narrative of the circumstances surrounding Edward
Brittain’s death is loosely based on Paul Berry and Mark Bostridge’s, Vera Brittain: ‘A Life
(1995)’ and Mark Bostridge’s, ‘Vera Brittain and the First World War. The Story of Testament of Youth (2014).’ ‘Testament of Youth (1933)’ is copyright of the Literary Executors of the Estate of Vera Brittain 1970.
The Land Of Might-Have-Been premieres at Buxton International Festival on Friday, 7 July
with follow-up performances until 21 July and then onto Norwich Theatre between 25 and
30 July. Priority booking for this important new musical opens to BIF Friends and Norwich
Theatre’s top tier supporters from 15 November 2022.
Performance Dates: Buxton Opera House
Friday 7 July 7.15
Tuesday 11 July 7.15
Saturday 15 July 2.00 & 7.15
Tuesday 18 July 7.15
Friday 21 July 7.17
