Coram Boy


Coram Boy is a children's novel by Jamila Gavin. Published in 2000, it won Gavin a Whitbread Children's Book Award.
Three narratives are combined in a story of love, friendship and betrayal. One is the story of "The Coram Man", and his simpleton son, Meshak, who travels across England, London and Gloucester in particular, finding women in desperate need of their illegitimate babies being taken away to a good home, the Coram Hospital in London. The second is the story of Alexander Ashbrook, the heir to the Ashbrook manor, and his friend, Thomas Ledbury, both choir boys and the very best of friends. While Alex's father, Sir William Ashbrook, wants his eldest son, Alex, to learn the ropes of running the household and all that comes with it, Alexander wants to pursue his musical talents and work at Gloucester Cathedral as a composer and musician. This leads to conflict and a split family. The final story is of Aaron, and his friend Toby. Aaron is the illegitimate son of Alexander Ashbrook, and his cousin, Melissa, and is lucky to be alive and escapes Otis's wrath, being saved by Meshak, and together fleeing to the Coram Hospital.

Stage adaptation

The book was adapted for the stage by Helen Edmundson, with music by Adrian Sutton, and played for two runs on the Olivier Stage at the National Theatre in 2005-2006 and 2006–2007, also having a brief Broadway production in 2007.
The play received a number of Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, and a Theatre World Award for Xanthe Elbrick in 2007.
Coram Boy was nominated for four Olivier Awards in 2006: for Best New Play, Best Director, Best Sound Design, and Best Performance in a Supporting Role.
Coram Boy was re-staged in 2011 by Bristol Old Vic at Colston Hall, again directed by Melly Still, and featuring a cast, choir and orchestra from Bristol.