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Book,
music & lyrics by David Wood
First
produced in 1977 at the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, and revived
there in 1983. Other productions include Manchester Library Theatre
Company, the Arts Theatre, Belfast, Mountview Theatre School and
many amateur companies.
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This
musical play bears little resemblance to the traditional tale
of Mother Goose. It takes its inspiration from the books of
nursery rhymes under the umbrella title “Mother Goose”,
published over the last two centuries.
The
setting is in fact a giant book, in which Mother Goose lives
with her famous five ‘Little’ nursery rhyme characters.
The play opens with them preparing a surprise Christmas tree
for her. It seems they are tired of always being called ‘Little’
and doing the same things (losing sheep, putting the kettle
on etc.), so Mother Goose incorporates them all in a new story
involving such characters as the Big Bad Wolf, the Bigger
Badder Wolf, a Giant, and Miss Muffet’s Spider.
The
main action centres on the capture and rescue of the Goose
with the Golden Eggs. Helped to a certain extent by the permanently
sleepy Fairy Lethargia, each of the ‘Little’ characters
has his or her ‘big moment’ during the quest,
and when it is all over they return home to the Book for a
grand Christmas party.
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play was originally written for a cast of twelve, doubling.
However, a larger cast could be used. |
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“I cannot
recommend this pantomime highly enough … an enchanting
blend of mirth and music that captivates the hearts
of Mums, Dads and kids.” Romford Observer
“The
perfect family Christmas entertainment with all the
traditions of panto. And yet it has a really strong
storyline which at the same time includes a host of
fairytale characters … some marvellously inventive
twists.” Thurrock Gazette
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The
play and piano/vocal score are published by Samuel
French Ltd.
First Class Professional & Foreign Rights : Casarotto Ramsay
Ltd.
UK Repertory Rights : Samuel
French Ltd.
UK Amateur Rights : Samuel
French Ltd.
The play is included in David Wood : Plays One (Methuen)
US Stock and Amateur Rights : Samuel
French Inc.
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