Out of the Margins

"Less is score." 

So begin the annotations on the cover of the doubly annotated vocal score of Jerry Springer: The Opera, the musical play, written by Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee, that caused a storm when it came to the UK stage in 2002. Based on the hit TV format The Jerry Springer Show, the controversial production tells the story of America's favourite talk show host, Jerry Springer, who suffers the worst day in his career when faced with some of the most challenging guests he's ever met on set. 

This is a hilarious romp throughout, with annotations from both Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee: Richard in black (pencil), Stewart in red, who annotated second, with hilarious responses to Richard as well as his own thoughts and reflections. So what we’re witnessing here is a conversation, in annotation. Richard says: "Stewart sent me a practically PARADISE LOST's worth of rhymes for Act 2, I cherry picked, I never expressed my gratitude then" to which Stewart replies: "I get aroused by the abandonment, by the contempt". 

This is the most codified banter ever known to archival history: Stewart Lee replies to a comment from Richard “Wow! Yes.” And “Pretentious”. There are insights that are new to each other even. There are a lot of jokes, a lot of laughs, there’s a lot of Stewart Lee not remembering things! There are comments on the music (they apologise for the tempo being so fast and the range so high so often - “stupidly difficult”), and on the characters and Richard and Stewart’s own views on them. The writers even agree to write a new show together whilst doing the annotations - be the only one to find out what it will be about! It’s safe to say that Stewart Lee didn’t like the ending, “and always left before it”. Find out why! 

This is a unique object to behold, a one of a kind, with big handwritten splurges, pictoral penises and much more. This annotated script of one of the most controversial musicals of the 21st century seeks one very lucky, ready to laugh-out-loud owner.