Despite ‘Downton Abbey’ being confirmed to have its final season, it seems that majority of its cast members are still looking forward to reunite and come up with a special adaptation for the series.
Julian Fellowes, creator of the period drama series, has reportedly been collaborating with the show’s composer John Lunn to create a musical adaptation of the program which can be taken to the road, thereby allowing the stars to perform live shows in several cities.
When it comes to such plans, it has already been confirmed by Lunn that: “There might be some Elgar, there might be some jazz of the periods. Some of the actors will likely recite. We’ll have a screen. We may have the music live to several scenes. Julian may be the host. I’d say it’s a 75 percent chance it will happen.”
The composer also made a comparison between their plans and that of the ‘Dr. Who’ live tour with which majority of the content will be taken from the show’s music.
Although such project could be deemed as an almost impossible plan, fans of ‘Downton Abbey’ could recognize the capabilities of the cast and crew in incorporating the trends in the musical landscape of the early 20th century.
Past episodes have shown opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa performing as Dame Nellie Melba as well as Gary Carr’s jazz band leader character who was based on jazz musicians of the day.
Even plotlines had interestingly shed light on musical inventions, such as the gramophone. Both Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Edith (Laura Carmichael) have also demonstrated their singing abilities during Christmas specials.
Furthermore, Elizabeth McGovern, who portrays Cora, is known to be a singer and songwriter who has asked co-star Dockery to perform with her and her band, Sadie and the Hotheads, during several occasions.
As for Jim Carter (Carson) and Julian Ovenden (Charles Blake), the two co-stars have also lent their voices to a ‘Downton Abbey’ Christmas album.
The official ‘Doctor Who’ live show website has dropped hints that the tour will feature “over 100 musicians and singers under the talented conducting baton of Ben Foster [as well as] some of the Doctor’s most fearsome adversaries live on stage including Daleks, Cybermen, Judoon, Whispermen, and more.”
The live performance is also expected to come with a big-screen presentation of important moments and even special edited sequences from the past seasons of ‘Doctor Who.’
Earlier this year, Fellowes and ‘Downton Abbey’ producer Gareth Neame also dropped hints about possible plans for the well-loved series being turned into a movie.
