Tara adapted her late father, Anthony Newley’s last work, Richard the III, the Musical, after tracking down the original book and music which had been forgotten after his death in 1999.
Anthony Newley was one of Broadway’s greatest leading men, scoring dozens of UK chart singles, and with songwriting partner, Leslie Bricusse, was nominated for an Academy Award for the film score of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as well as having hits with songs like Goldfinger for the James Bond Film and Feeling Good which has become an iconic song sung by Nina Simone, amongst many others.
The show was renamed, Digging up Dick, after the discovery of Richard III’s bones in a parking lot in Leicester—an event that had not happened at the time of the original version. The production was re-worked with additional musical compositions by Charlotte Resuggan and a young and gifted cast. It opened at The Wedmore Arts Festival for one memorable night. Tara still hopes to bring the show to a wider audience one day.
