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"NELL" window display by Robert Cooke |
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HENRY THE TUDOR DUDE NELL'S BELLES
FAWKES THE QUIET GUY THE RUMPELSTILTSKIN RACKET
MUSIC DEMOS Use this link to hear some song and music demos from each show. There are also full instructions on how to make them work on your computer.
Advice on using live music or backing tracks
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| Feltonfleet School at the Epsom Playhouse 1998 |
Henry had both his 100th and 101st productions in Nov 2004!
The life of England's most outrageous monarch is accurately related in this rock and roll musical which has been performed by amateurs, schools and semi-pro groups, throughout the U.K. and also in such far off places as New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia and Kenya.
A GOOD TIME FOR EVERYONE...
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Casting: 40 speaking parts including Henry himself, the six wives, the four Toms (Wolsey, Cramner, Moore and Cromwell), the jester, the jolly executioners, the Pope and the Tudor Newsreader. Many more small parts (including the War correspondent Lady Adie "But you can call me Kate"), chorus work. Many doubles possible. (Minimum cast about 15).
Age range: Suitable for any large varied group.
Scenery: A basic stage set on which odd props/ furniture are quickly brought or struck to suggest locations as needed.
Music: 19 songs (including reprises) varying from serious rockers to cool swingers. Backing tracks available, also vocal score, piano/vocal score, optional extra band parts for drums, bass, guitar and 2nd keyboard.
Perusal Material, Books, Music, Backing Tracks:
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| Charles and Nell's Belles (Nell is wearing the glasses!) from the first production by Hexham Junior Youth Theatre 30/3/2001. |
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| Nell performed by Alyth Musical Society, Perthshire - April/May 2004. |
( Obviously it all had to be hushed up at the time for national security reasons, but at last the real truth can be told! And if you don't believe it - you know what they say about the sixties: if you claim to know exactly what went on, you can't have been there.)
Following Nell's hilarious debut in Hexham in March 2001, the published version is now available from Samuel French's. The show was especially written to give lots of good roles for women, and it includes plenty of comedy and lively rock songs.
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CLICK HERE if you'd like a large JPEG of this book cover design to use for your posters or programmes. |
Age range: Suitable for any large varied group although a few small edits may be appropriate if under 10's are involved.
Scenery: A basic stage set with two doors which fulfil a variety of roles including tavern entrances, bedroom doors, bathing huts, stage exits etc. Extra props (including a blue sea cloth for the beach scene) and furniture are quickly brought or struck to suggest locations as needed.
Music: 15 songs (including reprises) mainly dance/rock numbers but also a couple of slow swings and ballads. Most songs are scored with lead and backing vocals. Backing tracks available, also piano/vocal score, optional extra band parts for drums, bass, guitar, sax.
Perusal Material, Books, Music, Backing Tracks:
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FAWKES the Quiet Guy
It's cabaret time down at
Catesby's!
Following "HENRY's" success, "Fawkes" tells the story of the 1605 gunpowder plot. Most people will know how a gang tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament, and how Guy Fawkes was caught. Following days of ghastly interrogation the gang were all rounded up and executed. Actually, the plot was far more sinister than that and makes for a thrilling whodunnit involving spies, sabotage and someone being walled up alive! The show is set in Catesby's Cabaret Club with the outrageous hostess Miss Catherine Wheel. Even if the club didn't exist, everything in it did actually happen right up to the explosive finale!
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| Nov 2002: MERCEDES COLLEGE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA ended their FAWKES production outdoors with a full firework finale - WOW! |
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Age range: Suitable for any large group, although a few small edits may be appropriate if under 10's are involved.
Scenery: A basic stage set represents the Cabaret Club in which other scenes are created with simple lighting changes and extra props/ furniture when required.
Music: 12 major numbers, mostly suitable for grand showpieces with dancers, singers, effects and strong narrative content. Backing tracks available, also piano/vocal score, optional band parts for drums, bass, guitar, trumpet, sax/clarinet and trombone.
Perusal Material, Books, Music, Backing Tracks:
A CRACKING SCRIPT FOR SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS!
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The Manikin |
Two fairground tricksters are hauled before the evil Madam Inquisitor - can Magic Miranda really spin straw to gold? Luckily the King sees the fun side as the hacks from "The Daily Slur" lap up every detail. But things are not always as they seem thanks to the gruesome games of the mysterious manikin with a hundred voices but no name...
Love, laughs, songs and participation make this into a perfect pantomime alternative for all the family which has enjoyed success with both professional and amateur casts.
Casting: 11 speaking parts (most of which can be male or female) including the star struck Prof Miller, his strong willed daughter Miranda, the terribly nice King, the scheming Madam Inquisitor, a variety of mercenary hacks and Rumpelstiltskin - the utterly evil changeling creature. Also a variety of chorus roles including extra hacks, guards, villagers, phantoms etc.. Doubles possible. (Minimum cast 8).
Age range: Full family entertainment.
Main scenes: (Most of these can be achieved by a few props and lights!) Fairground, Palace interior, Palace Vaults, King's Bedroom, a Turret room, a park bench, the catacombs.
Music: About 12 fairly easy songs including reprises. Backing tracks available, also piano/vocal score, optional band parts for drums, bass, guitar.
Perusal Material, Books, Music, Backing Tracks:
BATS Next Generation production in Basingstoke June 2006. |
WINNER of 2 Charrington Fringe Awards for Best Show
Sammy moves
into an old house along with his lively mum and inventor dad. Almost immediately
he is aware of spooky goings on, but only his school friend Alice believes him.
Why won't Compost the gardener let him look round? Who leaves messages in his
homework book, who owns the mysterious doll that keeps appearing, is the
birthday cake really poisoned, what is nasty Miss Nettle's secret and why
does the sundial chime at midnight?
An all-year pantomime show with slapstick, music, mad jokes and a songsheet.
"Kjartan Poskitt has once again produced a winning formula" - The Stage
"A masterful comedy, thriller and musical. Guaranteed fun for children and adults" - City limits
Casting: 6 main speaking parts (3m 3f) and some chorus characters as further school kids and ghosts. (Minimum cast 10).
Age range: Full family entertainment.
Main scenes: The house living room, the magic garden. There are also other scenes such as street exterior, the kitchen and Sammy's bedroom which can be achieved by a few props and lights.
Music: About 10 fairly easy songs including reprises. Backing tracks available, also piano/vocal score, optional band parts for drums, bass, guitar.
Perusal Material, Books, Music, Backing Tracks:
Photo: Latchmere Theatre production 1987 featuring Ivan Kaye as Compost. Produced by Chris Fisher.
Don't forget that that all shows and music are available from
Samuel French (London) Ltd.
U.S.A. visitors - there's also
Samuel French Inc (New York)
U.S.A. visitors might also want to see the great theatre bookshop at
Moonstruck Drama Bookstore
And here's a really super site to help you with all aspects of performing songs:
VOCALIST.ORG.UK
The author is reluctantly dragged on stage...