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Tracklist front / back album covers
1. "Chariots of Fire" 3:29
2. "Physical Energy" 3:13
3. "Home in the Glen" 3:52
4. "Eric's Theme" 4:06
5. "Abraham's Theme" 3:02
6. "Harold's Despair" 2:25
7. "Belief" 4:11
8. "Ballard" 3:10
9. "Aspiration" 8:09
10. "Eric's Pleasure" 5:07
11. "Lord Lindsay" 1:36
12. "At The Starting Blocks" 3:56
13. "Epilogue" 4:26
14. "After the Race" 4:37
15. "Jerusalem" 3:05
Chariots of Fire is a 2012 stage adaptation of the 1981 Oscar-winning film of the same name. Production of the Olympic-themed play, which opened at London's Hampstead Theatre 9 May 2012 and transferred to the West End on 23 June 2012, was partially inspired by the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
The Chariots of Fire adaptation for the stage was written by playwright Mike Bartlett, and Edward Hall directed the play. It starred Jack Lowden as Scottish missionary Eric Liddell, and James McArdle as Jewish Cambridge student Harold Abrahams. For the production, stage designer Miriam Buether transformed the entire theatre into an Olympic stadium, so that audiences had the experience of being in the Olympic stands.
The play includes the film's iconic Vangelis score, and Vangelis also created several new pieces of music for the production. As in the film, Gilbert and Sullivan songs are also used, and additional music was provided by Tony Award-winning composer Jason Carr.
The stage version for the London Olympic year was the idea of the film's director, Hugh Hudson, who co-produced the play; Hudson stated, "Issues of faith, of refusal to compromise, standing up for one's beliefs, achieving something for the sake of it, with passion, and not just for fame or financial gain, are even more vital today."
Chariots of Fire opened in previews 9 May at London's Hampstead Theatre, and officially opened there on 22 May. It transferred to the Gielgud Theatre in the West End on 23 June, where it ran until 5 January 2013.
Cast
Jack Lowden – Eric Liddell, the devout son of Scottish missionaries to China
James McArdle – Harold Abrahams, a Jewish student at Cambridge University
Tam Williams – Lord Andrew Lindsay, a Cambridge student runner, partially based on Lord Burghley and
Douglas Lowe
Mark Edel-Hunt – Aubrey Montague, a runner and friend of Harold Abrahams
Nickolas Grace – Master of Trinity College at Cambridge University
Simon Williams – Master of Caius College at Cambridge University
Nicholas Woodeson – Sam Mussabini, Britain's greatest running coach
Natasha Broomfield – Jennie Liddell, Eric's devout sister
Savannah Stevenson – Sybil Evers, Harold Abrahams' fiancée
Antonia Bernath – Florence Mackenzie, Eric Liddell's Canadian fiancée
Matthew Pearson – Sandy McGrath, Liddell's friend and
running coach
David Newman – the Prince of Wales, who tries to get Liddell to change his mind about running on Sunday
Synopsis
Chariots of Fire is the inspirational true story of two great British athletes, outsiders who overcome prejudice and personal strife to compete in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell is a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God. Harold Abrahams is the son of an immigrant Lithuanian Jew who runs to overcome prejudice. The two young track athletes live for the purity and honour of running, and prevail in the face of enormous odds. The story begins in 1919, and climaxes in the heartbreaks and triumphs of the 1924 Paris Olympics.
Film Credits
Producers: Hugh Hudson, Barbara Broccoli
Director: Edward Hall
Playwright: Mike Bartlett
Set Designer: Miriam Buether
Original Music: Vangelis
Choreography: Scott Ambler
Additional Music: Jason Carr
