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A play by David Wood.
Adapted from the book THE SHEEP-PIG by Dick King-Smith. |
 First
performed in 1997/8 by Whirligig Theatre at the New Victoria Theatre,
Woking and on a nationwide No.1 UK tour, in association with the
Manchester Library Theatre Company and the Birmingham Hippodrome.
The tour was made possible by Barclays Stage Partnership, a sponsorship
scheme from Barclays Bank and the Arts Council of England. The play
has had several productions in the United States, including the
Dallas Children’s Theatre, and is becoming popular in Germany.
Presented for Christmas 2002/3 by the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff,
the play is becoming popular with amateur companies.
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 This
is a tale of high adventure in the farmyard; of humble beginnings
and courageous triumphs. This is the story of one piglet’s
rise to become the world famous “sheep-pig”.
When
Babe is won by Farmer Hogget at the village fair an extraordinary
friendship develops, one that will change the whole farm.
 With
the help of his new “mother”, the old dog Fly,
Babe fast learns the herding instinct, and it’s not
long before this most polite of pigs wins over the most suspicious
of sheep.
When
the day of the Grand Challenge Sheep-Dog Trials dawns, the
whole farm holds its breath to see whether Babe will triumph,
against all odds, to become the hero of the hour.
The
original book inspired the hugely successful film, BABE.
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original cast employed ten actors and ten children (playing
puppies and sheep). Most of the actors played several
roles. Companies with more actors available could use
a larger cast. |
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“There
comes a happy point in children’s theatre when
one can almost forget the word ‘children’s’
and declare : This is real theatre, with an appeal to
all, from infant to octogenarian, in whom a sense of
wonder and a bright imagination are alive and well.
So it is in David Wood’s adaptation…”
Eastern Daily Press
“The
show is absolutely enchanting. It’s aimed at kids
but the drama, the tension, the humour, the lovable
heroes and menacing villains, make it compelling theatre
for grown-ups too… a crackling good story, beautifully
adapted for the stage” Evening News
“What
marvellous theatre … As for the denouement –
well, children applauding Babe for driving the sheep
through the trial gate is just terrific theatre…
First class.” The Stage
“When
a packed theatre is chanting the lead character’s
name at the end of a production, it’s fair to
assume you’ve got a hit on your hands. So it was
with BABE, THE SHEEP-PIG as the hundreds of young children
(and a few adults) acclaimed a  masterful
adaptation… A delight.” Birmingham Evening
Mail
“David
Wood’s script is the real star… The kids
in the audience revelled in the slapstick… Everyone
got involved when Fly beseeched the crowd to recall
a password to help Babe… This production should
inspire many more across the country.” Dallas
Morning News
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 The
play is published by Samuel
French Ltd.
First Class Professional, Repertory & Foreign Rights : Casarotto
Ramsay Ltd.
UK Amateur Rights : Samuel
French Ltd.
US Stock and Amateur Rights:
Samuel French Inc.
Optional
incidental music, composed by Peter Pontzen for the original production,
is available from Samuel French Ltd.
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