A musical play.

Book by Sheila Ruskin and David Wood.

Music & lyrics by David Wood.

Based on the verses and stories of Edward Lear.

This enchanting musical play, based on the verses and stories of Edward Lear, tells of the quest of the Owl and the Pussycat to find a ring and someone to marry them. During their adventures, which takes them across the Syllabub Sea to Bong Tree Island and the Turkey who lives on the hill, they meet a host of delightful characters including the Quangle Wangle, the Dong with a luminous nose, Professor Bosh, the Runcible Spoon, the Jumblies – and the villainous, ever hungry Plum Pudding Flea.

David Wood writes : This was the play that really started it all! Sheila Ruskin and I were acting in rep. in Worcester, when we were asked to write the Christmas play. Sheila played the Runcible Spoon. The play was directed by Mick Hughes, now better known as a highly respected lighting designer. I have written elsewhere about how I returned from acting in a season in Manchester, saw ten performances of THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT WENT TO SEE..., and was so knocked out by the experience that I decided it would be my mission to get the play on in London. This eventually happened, thanks to the help and collaboration of many colleagues and friends. It also led to the publication of the play by Samuel French Limited, who have kindly stayed with me and published virtually everything I have written ever since.

It was particularly encouraging to see the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School production at Christmas 2001. After more than thirty years, the play, thanks to Edward Lear’s wonderful characters, has not really dated at all. Having directed it many times myself, but not for a couple of decades, I feel ready to revive it once more!