IT’S A controversial musical that will lay bare the personal lives of one of Hampshire’s most famous families.

Billed as “a story of illicit love, racism and betrayal of the highest degree”, Hutch, which follows the trials and tribulations of the Mountbattens, will hit the stage in London next month.

But the production has sparked a mixed reaction among Hampshire historians and Royal British Legion members, who claim the play will leave Lord Mountbatten’s family “hopping mad”.

The raunchy musical, which opens at the Riverside Studios in West London on May 14, lifts the lid on Earl Mountbatten of Burma’s open marriage with wife Edwina.

It tells the story of the relationship between the couple – and Edwina’s affair with West Indian-born singer and pianist Leslie ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson.

Lady Mountbatten sues over claims of her adultery, which hit the headlines back in July 1932.

But the truth eventually emerges of the affair and a love triangle between Edwina, Hutch and composer Cole Porter – a scenario that propelled Hutch into high society, but would ultimately destroy his life and career.

The lead character Hutch, who died in 1969, is being played by Sheldon Green, while young actress Imogen Daines will take on the role on Lady Mountbatten.

The man said to have been Hutch’s gay lover, Cole Porter, is played by Sid Phoenix.

Writer of the musical Joe Evans said it has not yet been decided who will play the role of Lord Mountbatten.

But the play, which is based on Charlotte Breese’s 1999 novel of the same name, has come in for criticism a month before its opening night.

Phoebe Merrick, from the Romsey Local History Society, said: “This will certainly annoy the family. They will be hopping mad.

“And there will other people in Romsey who will be jolly annoyed that’s for sure.

“The town has a mixed view of Lord Mountbatten. I think his character was particularly well understood locally, but at the same time he’s got a massive fan club in Romsey.

“I would just say if you are upset by it then don’t go and watch it.”

Steven Horsley, from the Romsey branch of the Royal British Legion, of which Lord Mountbatten is a former president, added: “I personally don’t see a problem with it, but it would be a worry of mine that the play will be too oderogatory. If that’s the case then it wouldn’t be right. I wouldn’t even bother listening to it.

“I don’t like the idea of people and stories coming out of the woodwork and being aired in public after they have died. I don’t think that’s right.”

Richard Jordan-Baker, from Broadlands Estate, in Romsey, the former home of Lord Mountbatten, said: “We have no knowledge of such a production and therefore cannot comment on its content or how it will be received by audiences.”

 

Lord Mountbatten:
Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, known informally as Lord Mountbatten, was
a British statesman and naval officer.

Born Prince Louis of Battenberg on June 25, 1900, Lord Mountbatten was an uncle to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and second cousin to Elizabeth II.

He was the last Viceroy of India n On August 27, 1979, Lord Mountbatten was assassinated by the IRA, after they planted a bomb on board his yacht Shadow V, while berthed in County Sligo, Ireland.

On September 5, 1979, Lord Mountbatten received a state funeral at Westminster Abbey and was later buried in Romsey Abbey.