Overview
The Ship Hits the Fans: A Whale of a Tale is my inside story of 'Moby Dick: The Musical'. From its inception in 1983 until its last hurrah in 2016, as the composer of Moby I lived and twisted through every histrionic turn. In March 1992, Cameron Mackintosh transferred Moby to the cavernous Piccadilly Theatre, where it opened to almost universally scathing reviews. Despite an increasingly appreciative audience and nightly ovations the musical failed to find its audience quickly enough and the economics of the large venue forced it to close after 4 months. Such was its public appeal that the announcement of closure sent audience reaction into orbit and it barnstormed out of the West End as if it were one of the greatest hits of all time.
With your help and support The Ship Hits the Fans will bring this fascinating story to life through publication of the hardback. I will be completing the editing of the book, illustrated with over 20 pictures, and employing Lapwing Publishing to edit, design and produce the hardback for publication.
My aim is to publish a self-help book on how to fail well. And before any one of the household names I have scandalised tries to close it down, I really think you should invest in a copy!
"One day Moby will return from the deep"
Sir Cameron Mackintosh, interviewed by Graham Norton in July 2016.
The Story
2022 marks 30 years since 'Moby Dick the Musical' appeared in London’s West End. This is an apt time to publish the inside story. The musical scrawled its signature across four decades, during which I helped raise a family, formed a band with Tom Robinson, worked closely with Ray Davies and the Kinks, was turned into a pop star by EMI, then jumped before I was dumped.
My childhood sweetheart Pat and I dropped out of society. I took to slaying chickens in the wastelands of Lincolnshire, before keyboard maestro Rick Wakeman rescued me, by taking me on as his lead singer for an album. Working as an actor, I briefly cohabited with the Beatles first manager and hung out with Elvis Costello (failing to realise who he was). Then the nearest I ever came to a proper job: touring the world for 13 years as a member of the group The Flying Pickets.
The Ship Hits The Fans is littered with humorous anecdotes, just this side of libellous; tales of celebrity encounters and rock 'n roll stories from a life on the road. And when my wife Pat discovers Europe’s largest animal research laboratory on our doorstep, I find myself coming home to rescued animals that arrive in the middle of the night and a wife who won’t kiss me till I give up eating anything that has a face.
Finally, just when I’ve given it all up and we’ve moved to rural Spain to bake in the sun, the telephone rings. It’s Cameron Mackintosh and he wants to revive Moby Dick. . .
"Hereward Kaye and Robert Longden’s musical was Cameron Mackintosh’s big mistake. It cost £1.2m and opened at the Piccadilly Theatre in March 1992, was swiftly harpooned by the critics and sank 15 weeks later."
The Guardian, 2016
"The most extraordinary show in the West End. Herman Melville’s epic novel has been vandalised by screaming harpies straight out of St. Trinian's. It begins with a chorus of lusty thighed maidens in mini skirts, stockings and suspenders. It ends with men in jockstraps and a boy dressed as a pregnant schoolgirl giving birth to a seal."
The Daily Express, 1992
Interview with the Author
An interview by Robert Sanders, Therapist and Coach, with me about living with both success and failure. I also talk about the experience of seeing the Beatles live and the secret to a happy life.
The Book Launch
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The book launch will be held at the Comedy Store, London - at a date to be confirmed at the beginning of August. You can pledge to receive a copy of the book and attend the book launch. It will be wonderful to see you there.
The Budget
All the funds contributed to this campaign will go towards the completion of the writing, editing, printing, publication, marketing and book launch for The Ship Hits the Fans.
What happens if I get more than I ask for?
Additional funds will help towards publishing the accompanying illustrations in colour, as well as contributing towards the publication of my first novel, Tartarus, and a workshop production of my new musical, based upon the novel.
The Timeline
The writing for the book is now almost complete and the publication process will commence at the completion of the crowdfunding. The book will be ready for editing in early 2022 with a scheduled publication date of Autumn 2022.
Contact Me
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any queries.
Thank you for your interest in the book and the project -- Hereward Kaye