Following
the success of their collaboration on ROBIN HOOD, David Wood
and Dave and Toni Arthur wrote JACK THE LAD, a musical celebration
of Jack, the ubiquitous hero or everyman of English legend,
myth and folklore – from Little Jack Horner, through
Jack and the Beanstalk to Spring Heeled Jack, the Terror of
London. The setting is a gypsy encampment, where a series
of Jack tales and songs are performed by the gypsies to celebrate
the 80th birthday of their senior member – affectionately
known as Jack the Lad. The play, therefore, depicts contemporary
gypsy life, as well as traditional gypsy customs and superstitions,
and is a delightful amalgam of the traditional arts of story-telling,
singing and dancing, with a mumming play, a shadow-mime and
puppetry also employed within the main framework.
David Wood
writes: I would love this play to have more productions! The
original production was a joyful celebration of folk tradition
and story-telling, and offered opportunities for a versatile
cast. I’m sure that professional and amateur companies
would find it rewarding to perform. The music is exhilarating
and the contemporary gypsy framework is relevant and thought
provoking.
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“…this
marvellous show is a comic strip with music… for
those who like the hand-clapping, foot-tapping, sing-a-long
type of theatre it is a must… and that theatrical
rarity these days – solid entertainment for ALL
the family. … the whole mood is carried on outside
the theatre and in the auditorium with fortune-tellers,
hedgehog crisps, candy floss and fiddle players galore
giving the whole theatre a showground feel… it
is hard to imagine anyone not liking this vibrant and
refreshing treat.” Oldham Evening Chronicle
“…a
highly unusual musical… with colourful music,
lots of dancing and movement it all adds up to a very
pleasant and unsophisticated entertainment which might
well provide a first-class Christmas show.” The
Stage
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