A musical play.
Book, music & lyrics by David Wood.

Commissioned by the Worcester Repertory Company, HIJACK OVER HYGENIA was first produced at the Swan Theatre, Worcester for Christmas 1973/4. Amateur productions include a splendid one in Brussels, given by the English-speaking community.

HIJACK OVER HYGENIA is set in an aeroplane interior, on a roof, in a throne room and in a bedroom. Hygenia is the cleanest kingdom in the world. Disease is unknown. But one day a villainous Measle enters illegally and starts bringing the inhabitants out in spots. It is all the plot of Dr. Spicknspan who, owing to the pervading healthiness, is always out of work. Things look serious, but the plot is foiled by the gallantry of the royal staff: peace, health and cleanliness are restored.

David Wood writes: I had a lot of fun writing this play. The ‘clean’ characters include King Spring and Queen Clean and their daughter Princess Spotless. There is also a Grime Minister, a Court Duster, an elderly aerosol spray called Auntie Septic, and a cat called Stainless. The plot is fast-moving, and there is a lot of audience participation – at one point everyone has to pretend to have caught measles, by sticking spots on their faces!

I recently saw a delightful amateur production in Devon, and wondered why more companies haven’t discovered the play. Maybe the title puts them off! In fact the Devon Company asked permission to change the title to HIJINX OVER HYGENIA, worrying that the word ‘Hijack’ was likely to put audiences off.