Inspired by? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Original

Created by Richard O'Brien, who wrote both the music and the lyrics, the show is not based on any existing work other than being a take on various 'B' movies involving horror and science fiction. Its humorous story and catchy music has made it a firm favourite with those who come to see the show often dressing up as one or other of the characters. O'Brien himself appeared in early productions with Tim Curry involved from the start playing the lead character of Frank-N-Furter. The first staging took place in 1973 in London with the Broadway show taking place in 1975.

A film version, called the 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' to differentiate it from the stage version, was released in 1975 with Curry and O'Brien reprising their roles.

Is anyone singing 'The Time Warp'?

Answer: Original

Although this relatively recent musical takes its title from the text of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly referred to as Mormons, the storyline is original. First performed in 2011 on Broadway and in 2013 in the West End, the plot involves two earnest Mormon missionaries in Uganda trying to convert the local population to their faith. The villagers have far more to worry about than American missionaries, with an evil warlord, lack of food and health issues being more pressing issues.

The show is classed as a comedy as the two missionaries are completely out of their depth. Songs include 'I am Here for You' and 'I am Africa'. At the time of writing (2026) there is no film version of this show.

Answer: Original

Created by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, 'Paint Your Wagon' was an original show which made its debut in 1951 on Broadway. It reached London's West End in 1953. The story is set during the Californian Gold Rush with the main characters being a miner and his daughter. The most famous songs from the show are 'They Call the Wind Maria', 'I Talk to the Trees' and 'Wand'rin' Star'.

A film version was made in 1969, with some adjustments to the original plot. The three songs mentioned in paragraph one did survive, though, with Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood displaying their vocal talents. That's the polite version, but it didn't prevent Marvin having a number one hit in the UK with his effort.

Answer: Original

The most recent show in the quiz, 'Dear Evan Hansen' dates from 2015, when it was first staged in Washington, D.C. It reached Broadway in 2016 and the West End in 2019. The story is about a bullied teenager, named Evan Hansen, and the complications he goes through trying to make friends. A letter which he has written to himself, on the advice of his therapist, is mistaken for the suicide note of another youngster, leading Evan to invent a whole history between them. The letter is what gives the musical its title, being addressed to 'Dear Evan Hansen'. Songs include 'Waving Through a Window' and 'Only Us'.

In an unusual turn of events, the musical led to the writing of a book, aimed at young adults, by Val Emmich with the help of the musical's creators. The novel was a success, unlike the film version of 2021 which received low ratings and wasn't helped by coinciding with the Covid pandemic.

Answer: Novel

The stage show dates from 1963, using a novel by H G Wells for inspiration. The book is called 'Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul', although usually just referred to as 'Kipps'. The musical was written to showcase the talents of Tommy Steele, a popular, and early, British rock and roll star.

The plot tells the story of Arthur Kipps, a 'working class' young man who falls in love with a local girl. The half sixpence she gives him is a token of their love. When Arthur inherits a substantial amount of money from his grandfather, his head is turned and he forgets about his first love. Eventually he is swindled out of his money and returns to his roots.

Songs in the show include 'Half a Sixpence' and 'Flash Bang Wallop'. The show appeared in London's West End and on Broadway before being made into a film in 1967, with Steele reprising his role.

Answer: Novel

Miguel de Cervantes was the author of the novel 'The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha', normally just referred to as 'Don Quixote'. The novel was published over a ten year period, with the first part appearing in 1605 and the final part in 1615. The musical was first performed in 1965. Strictly speaking, it was based on a television play, called 'I, Don Quixote', which was not a musical but written by Dale Wasserman, who also contributed to the musical. That was more of an interim step in the process, though, with Cervantes' book being the primary source.

The tale of the 'errant knight' and his retainer, Sancho Panza, appeared on Broadway in 1965 and in London's West End in 1968. The storyline did not directly follow either the novel or the play, but there is no doubting where the inspiration came from and the characters bear the same names as in the book. The most popular song from the show is 'The Impossible Dream' which has become something of a standard.

Answer: Novel

Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe were the creators of the musical 'Camelot', which was first performed in 1960 in Toronto before transferring to Broadway. Although the legend of King Arthur and his court has many versions, the source used by Lerner and Loewe was the novel, by T H White, called 'The Once and Future King'. White himself drew on earlier works such as Malory's 'Le Morte d'Arthur' which was published in 1485. Songs from the show include 'Camelot', sung by Arthur, 'If Ever I Should Leave You', by Lancelot, and 'The Seven Deadly Virtues' performed by Mordred.

The film version followed in 1967, with Lerner providing the screenplay. Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave played Arthur and Guenevere, with Franco Nero as Lancelot.

Answer: Novel

Lionel Bart singlehandedly created the musical 'Oliver!' based on the novel 'Oliver Twist', by Charles Dickens and published in 1838. The musical was first performed in London in 1960 before transferring to the West End later that year. Broadway saw its first performance in 1962.

The characters came from the book - the orphan Oliver Twist, who dared to ask for more food, the evil Bill Sikes, gang leader Fagin and the tragic Nancy. Famous songs include 'Food, Glorious Food', 'Consider Yourself' and 'As Long as he Needs me'.

A film version followed, directed by Carol Reed, in 1968. It includes most of the original songs and gave Oliver Reed an early film role as the villainous Sikes.

Answer: Film

'Footloose' began its life as a film, released in 1984, with Kevin Bacon playing the role of Ren McCormack. Songs in the film included 'Let's Hear it for the Boy', by Deniece Williams and 'Holding Out for a Hero' written by Jim Steinman and released as a single by Bonnie Tyler.

The stage show followed, in 1998, with the plot being based on that of the film, involving Ren moving to a small town where the local minister bans popular music and dancing. Ren's rebellion against these views forms the story. Additional lyrics for the stage version were provided by Kenny Loggins, who co-wrote the title song and also had a big hit with it.

Answer: Film

First performed in 1997 in the USA and in 1999 in the UK, 'The Lion King' was reworked as a stage musical based on the Disney film of the same name which was released in 1994. The music is mostly the same, although the stage version has some extra songs. The most successful songs from the film also appear in the stage version, including 'Circle of Life', 'Hakuna Matata' and 'I Just Can't Wait to be King'.

Tim Rice, who had much success in partnership with Andrew Lloyd Webber, provided the lyrics for the songs with Elton John writing the music. Both film and stage show have been very successful.

Answer: Film

The film of 'An American in Paris' was released in 1951, starring Gene Kelly. The stage musical came a long time afterwards, in 2014, when Christopher Wheeldon adapted the story for the stage. Its first performance was, appropriately, in Paris before transferring to Broadway in 2015. London's West End saw it for the first time in 2017. The storyline is similar to the film, with many of the songs also originating in the film version. These include 'I Got Rhythm' and 'S Wonderful'.

Note that an earlier musical with the same title appeared in 2008, which is a prequel to the story of the film using a different plot, so I've focused on the 2014 show.

Answer: Film

'Billy Elliot' first appeared in 2000 as a film starring Jamie Bell and Julie Walters. Unlike the other films which inspired stage musicals, 'Billy Elliot' was a drama rather than a musical film. In 2005, Elton John and Lee Hall got together to create a stage musical based on the film, using the title 'Billy Elliot: the Musical'. Hall was eminently qualified, having created the story for the film.

Set in the north-east of England, against the background of industrial strife, the story of a boy whose heart is set on becoming a ballet dancer is inspiring. The show was first performed in the West End in 2005 and on Broadway in 2008. The best known song from the musical is 'Electricity'.