Local Authority Plumber, Chris Maynard has reacted with both ‘surprise and modesty’ after discovering that a musical version of his life has been showing in the West End for the last three months. Chris 42, from Cheshire learned the news after his wife Marie suggested combining Christmas Shopping with a theatre break in London. The couple now plan to take a three day coach excursion this weekend.
‘Chris Maynard - The Musical’ charts Chris’ unremarkable upbringing and mundane day to day life in Sandbach. It has been enjoying a packed 4 night a week run since early September. The musical was the idea of Miranda Guernsey of Topnotch Productions, ‘I was inspired by the incredible existence that Chris has. We have been able to produce a compelling and realistic insight into his life in an unashamedly camp way.’ she explained ‘The twists and turns his life have taken are truly gripping. From gashing his chin coming off a pogo stick aged 7 to the bout of gastric flu he had in 2004, it’s real gritty stuff’
The cast is headed up by Jason Donavan and Ruthie Henshall. Donavan is described to be ecstatic at the prospect of finally meeting his muse. Crammed with upbeat numbers such as ‘Look at the Tits on her’ and ‘Pub with the Lads’, there are also more sombre songs like‘Taking the Missus out Shopping’. Others reflect the trials that Chris has had to overcome. ‘My personal favourite is ‘Seein Me Union Rep,’ says Miranda, when Chris is disciplined for going for a part to fix a tenant’s leaking toilet and not returning for three days.
The production team wanted to get the balance just right, mixing excitement with sadness, and a little romance. Director Daisy Maitland explained that the portrayal of Chris’ love life was difficult to translate onto the stage. ‘We know that he has a problem, with how can I say...satisfying Marie. We’re not graphic, but it means that our musical interlude after the wedding scene is very short.’
Chris was on another job today so was unavailable to comment. However, Marie told us that he doesn’t want a fuss. This will be the first time Chris has ever been to the theatre, and if his fellow plumbers got wind of it he’d they’d ‘rip the piss out of him until next Christmas’. The couple plan to take their 10 year old daughter Abbie and son Nick, 15 to the show in January. Abbie is ‘very proud’ of her dad, and Nick has described the news as ‘a bit gay’.
