The news that long-running ITV detective drama, Midsomer Murders, is set to be adapted for the stage, titled Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift, has excited many fans of the show and theatregoers alike.
However, one thing it didn’t do was come as a shock. Over the past few years, theatre-makers have begun to tune into the fandoms that surround some of the biggest TV classics, particularly sitcoms, by transferring them from the small screen to the stage.
Although the new Midsomer Murders show isn’t being dubbed as a comedy—probably far from it given the show’s title and the fact it involves a whodunnit—it is still another example of a popular TV show being made into theatre productions.
In recent years, a musical version of Only Fools and Horses, a stage adaptation of Fawlty Towers and a production of The Good Life have all tread the boards. But the question is why is there such an appetite for theatre productions based on our favourite shows?
Lockdown definitely contributed. Many people were at home, able to stream box set after box set and revisit old classics. This led to their being an increased interest in their history, meaning there is a demand from fans for more and more. This means that money will be involved too and as Bob Dylan says, “money doesn’t talk, it screams”, meaning that these are shows that can give new creatives a shot.
Speaking to The Guardian, Jeremy Sams, director of The Good Life stage adaptation says that: “The reason they’ve put on Pretty Woman: The Musical, for example, is that the people who went to see the original movie are now rich enough to pay West End theatre prices.”
They are also relatively easy to produce. Most scenes in the shows were performed in front of large audiences and therefore were tailored towards being performed live, thus making the transfer from stage to screen relatively smooth and simple.
The shows are also often written by combining multiple storylines and scenes from episodes in the original series’. For example, Fawlty Towers: The Play was based on three episodes of the TV series. The upcoming Midsomer Murders production will be based off of the plot from the show’s first episode in 1997, The Killings at Badger’s Drift.
Actors are also always going to want a shot at playing iconic TV characters. Whether they are making them their own or directly imitating them, the prospect of playing a legendary TV role on stage is incredibly exciting for many artists. Sam Lupton, the most recent actor to take on the character of Del Boy in the Only Fools and Horses Musical, says that when getting the part he realised that he “got to play Del Boy, one of the most beloved comedy characters ever”. This showcases the excitement and enormity that comes with playing such a huge character for many actors.
Finally, stage adaptations tend to fare much better than remakes of hit TV shows. Often they fall flat because audiences think they will feel just like they did during their original run because it’s being produced in the exact same medium as it was initially. However, TV production has evolved massively from HD to content censorship, whereas, on stage there is much more creative freedom. Audiences are more likely to attend a theatre show with an open mind. So, the news that the Midsomer Murders stage show is set to tour the UK this autumn proves that TV classics being made into theatre isn’t a trend that will be on the decline anytime soon either. They bring nostalgic joy, plenty of creative opportunities and also bring in a fair few pounds too—what’s to not love? Lovely Jubbly!
Words by Cory Gourley
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