David Heneker Archive

The David Heneker Archive contains the working papers of musical theatre composer David Heneker, who wrote or contributed to several well known musicals including Half a Sixpence and Charlie Girl. The Archive contains materials relating to each of the shows David Heneker worked on including drafts of songs and scripts, musicals scores, correspondence and publicity. There is also material relating to his work as a songwriter in the 1930s and 1940s (including the Second World War), and his work for films and advertising. There are also materials relating to shows and films that David Heneker worked on that never reached the final production stage.

After an early career in the Army, David Heneker turned his hand to song writing, composing several songs for revues and cabarets in the 1930s, and composing war time songs during the Second World War. In 1948 he resigned his commission from the Army and became a songwriter, while also working as a pianist at the Embassy Club. He went on to compose or to contribute to several musicals, his works include Charlie Girl, Irma la Douce, Phil the Fluter, Jorrocks, Popkiss, Expresso Bongo and Half a Sixpence. He also composed songs for films and for advertising.

Original order, which is organised by show and then by other works

Open to researchers by appointment- please email archives@kingston.ac.uk. Appointments typically offered Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am - 4.30pm. For more information on Kingston University Archives and Special Collections please see our website at http://blogs.kingston.ac.uk/asc

Also see our archives catalogue here

Audio visual material is listed on our library catalogue.

Some items in the collection cannot be copied from due to its physical condition or copyright restrictions. Please send any copying requests to the Archives at archives@kingston.ac.uk