Moving On
One set, one costume, one performer, one hit show – 90 minutes.
All women become like their mothers. Oscar Wilde
A one-woman musical ideal for a fabulous seasoned performer. Maggie is middle-aged. She returns to her childhood home to ‘go through’ her recently-deceased, widowed-mother’s estate. Maggie’s mother, Edna, lived there for half a century. Longer. The house is full of ‘things’. Maggie’s memories flood back. There are long-forgotten photos, toys, newspapers, and knick-knacks. Edna was a hoarder. Who gets what? What do you keep? What will Maggie discover? She discovers a hat she wore as a child in a song and dance eisteddfod. Can Maggie still remember the routine 40+ years later? A photo album has snaps of relatives with names like Horace, Doris, Millicent and Claude. Then the great ‘what if’ question as she sings, What if I’d married Donald? She discovers a childhood Teddy and sings the beautiful A Teddy Never Snores. This leads to finding a photo she never wanted to see. Her heartache is real. There are highs and lows and the show is a great challenge for a talented singing/dancing actress. The fabulous finale has Maggie belting out I Got Me.
A most engrossing piece which I’m sure many will be able to relate to. It has a strong script which probes, enabling the highs and lows of this family to emerge and Moving On has music and lyrics which form an integral part of the story … it’s a compelling piece. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and I think come away totally satisfied. In other words, it’s a winner. It’s highly recommended. John Gunn – Curtain Up
A terrific production. In Moving On, Maggie has some truly thought-provoking material and the songs are fantastic. Cheryl Threadgold
Moving On is a moving musical. The Leading Dramatic Society
A compelling one-woman musical where memories of the past come flooding back. Wanganui Arts Festival
Moving On is moving. It’s a wonderful musical with its share of surprises and sadness. The story and songs may well have you laughing out loud or shedding a tear. Waverley Theatre Inc
I went to see Moving On directed by Alan Burrows. WOW WOW WOW is all I can say. Angela Glennie knocked it out of the park. One and a half hours of roller coaster emotions. The set, lighting, sound and set dressing were fabulous. If you can get to see it, please do. Facebook
What a tremendous show. We were captivated from start to finish. Stellar performance from the brilliant Angela Glennie. Congratulations to all concerned. Faultless direction by Alan Burrows and a great script from Cenarth Fox. Don’t miss it. Facebook
Powerful, totally engaging, Moving On took me on an incredible journey. An excellent performance. Congratulations. Kaylene Boschert-McCormick
In our opinion it was the best night of theatre since Shakespeare in Saigon – funny that, the script was by the same playwright!! We can only hope Scrubbers and Stagemothers will be performed again as your musical plays are something very different and just brilliant. Liz and Ken Launder
Moving On Preview
Suburban Circus
One simple set, a few props, some everyday costumes and a running time of 50 minutes.
Let’s start with a prize-winning show. Performed by adults, youth theatre and schools. Only one speaking role, which can be shared, (ringmaster) played by someone pretending to be the mayor or mayoress in your town or suburb. Suburban Circus is a salute to your suburb in the form of a circus but the jugglers, clowns, equestrians and high-wire walkers are the people you meet in your town or suburb. The garbage collectors juggle your garbage, the paperboys and girls ride their bikes and skateboards, the road-workers are superb at balancing their shovels and the parking cops book you with a cream pie in the face! And there are many other familiar characters including an average family, dancing dogs, public transport users, a traffic cop, housewife, supermarket staff, swimmers at the local pool, meals-on-wheels staff and more. Lots of chorus work with small ensemble numbers as well. Easy to rehearse in sections and you can apply it to your town or suburb. 50 minutes with each scene able to be rehearsed separately.
Musical spoof in Marx Bros. style. Deals hilariously with garbage collection, public transport, etc Nunawading Gazette
We performed to packed houses. The excitement of the children and their sense of achievement was amazing to watch. Many of the parents and staff commented on the catchy tunes and the sense of fun encapsulated in the show. Specimen Hill PS
An amazing spectacle. A must for any school. Quarry Hill PS
Hilarious spoof on civic services, ideal for schools. Eastern Standard
Highly recommended as a musical in which to introduce children to theatre. Eastmont PS
A terrific musical for kids on camp The show was a hit! Stonybrook Camp New York
The sights and sounds of SUBURBAN CIRCUS are still very vivid to all who were privileged to see that magnificent production. Huntingtower School
We all gained a great deal from it and had a terrific time. Endac Youth Theatre
Very funny, a delight to perform. Border Musical Society
An exciting, vibrant show, a great season. Sorrento PS
Once again the show was fantastic. It got great reviews. SUBURBAN CIRCUS was just as good as the first time around. It was a huge success. Beaumaris North PS
Germs
Most popular FOX musical ever!
10 roles [M or F], chorus, one stunning set, 80 minutes
A smash-hit musical staged by children, teenagers, and adults. The adults worked for a public hospital. The show is set inside a human – what a set! The characters are germs trying to kill the human who fights back with injections and pills. But all is not well amongst the germs. Some are rebellious and believe their leader has some dark and terrible secret. There is talk of a coup – a bloodless coup! Then things become super serious when the human goes on a date. You see for germs, falling in love is dangerous! The story builds to a gripping climax. We do not know what will happen until the very last moment. Germs is infectious!
We loved performing Germs and enjoyed it immensely. Interlochen School Wisconsin
The show went really well and our audience of happy parents were very appreciative. It was especially great to be able to have nearly the whole cast on stage for most of the performance. Blackburn PS
A great musical and a great piece of kids’ theatre. Mansfield HS and PS
GERMS was absolutely magnificent. The play is brilliant in concept. All the things that make theatre a terrific experience were there. Wesley College
GERMS was marvellous. Our school community was thrilled with the performance. Many commented on the appropriateness of the story and the lively music. Kyabram PS
A night they will never forget. Firbank Anglican School
Children and audiences loved it. GERMS was super. Eltham East PS
Essentially GERMS is a fanciful piece of nonsense trying to convince us that occasionally it might be an idea to reverse things and try to put yourself in someone else’s place. This musical romp is a remarkably sophisticated, energetic and humourous production. The leading performers showed such astonishing acting and singing skills at times it was difficult to believe it was a school production. Douglas Aiton
GERMS held the audiences spellbound. Salesian College
Music!
12 roles (M or F), one set, and a chorus as big as you like
A 55 minute musical about music. Like Suburban Circus, it’s a series of scenes which combine to make a brilliant show, a show which is both entertaining and educational. Oh and fun too! What is music? When and how did it start? How do we hear? This musical about music is many things – it’s part play, musical, choral piece and dance, as well as a funny music, history and science lesson. It covers styles of music, composers, the language and elements of music, instruments, notation and advertising. You can use a company as large as your stage. Music! is many things about music from the blues to Beethoven, from Mozart to midi. It’s a performance about performers. It’s a song about songs. It’s Music! And the choral finale will knock your socks off!
We had so much fun with Music! Possibly the best thing about the play (over and above the writing and costumes) was that the boys had so much fun; they were full of smiles and laughter. The last performance played to a packed house. It was such a fun play to do especially for an all-boys school. Thanks for writing such a terrific play. Willington School, London
The girls sang with confidence and the music was enjoyed by all. Music! is a great show and we are grateful for your material. Seymour College
We used Year 5, 6 and 7 students and had a choir of 40 students who remained on stage for the whole show. They enjoyed all of the songs although their favourites were Classical Chaps and Musical Styles. Many commented on how well the Choir remembered all of the words, which is an indication of how enjoyable and catchy the songs were. We thoroughly enjoyed performing Music! and look forward to hearing of any new productions in the future. Kadina PS
Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to produce your musical MUSIC! We were most impressed with your show and so was the audience, examined in a fun and exciting fashion. Music! was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The students gave a dazzling display of energy and enthusiasm. Prince Alfred College and Annesley Junior School
Loads of fun and the final night was just superb. Grey Street PS
Smokies
10 roles (M or F), one simple set, a chorus of any size
Smokies is a musical revue, a cabaret, a short, sharp show about tobacco. It’s about facts, about asking questions and helping kids make their own decisions. The revue takes place in a nightclub called Smokies with its floorshow the Tacky Backy Cabaret. Patrons (your company members) flock to Smokies to see the show and cough their appreciation for some of the world’s craziest entertainers. Stand-up comics Smoke-It and Croak-It are lying to die or is that dying to lie? Character actor Christopher Columbus re-invents history. Pierre Pressure is a hypnotic hypnotist and Nick O’Teen an addictive magician. Brad and Jane are star-crossed, smelly sweethearts and Netty Ket has all the tips on glamorous gasping. There’s slapstick, romance, politics, loonies and science. Smokies will light up your life and leave you breathless. And the chorus line, the all-singing, all-dancing Virginia Fats proves there’s no smoke without mire. But me no butts, Smokies is smokin’!
Just wanted to let you know the premiere of Smokies was fantastic. The kids – 75 4th and 5th graders – did a dynamite job. By the end of the tour, we will have exposed approximately 1500 students to your anti-tobacco thoughts/script. Thanks millions for your support and interest. Marshall Magnet School, Flagstaff Arizona
The year 6 students have enjoyed the experience in preparing for and ultimately presenting the musical. North Rocks Public School
Rubbish
8 roles (M or F), one set, optional chorus
A modern 50 minute musical. Below the street where you live is a stormwater drain. In this drain is the village of Garbage. The folk living in Trash Street are just like the folk in your street. Some are neat and tidy, some are messy, some don’t care and others are very particular about their house, garden and environment. But that’s life. And that’s your street. Mind how you walk. It’s right below you. Let’s meet the folk beneath your street. A great musical to celebrate caring for our environment. There’s something interesting about singing pieces of rubbish.
All through the rehearsals we had a ball. We loved the music and the lines. Very clever. The more we rehearsed, the more humor we found. The choreographer has had fun with the music also. She has come up with some great dances. We thoroughly enjoy performing Rubbish for our school. It was very well received. Interlochen School USA
Thank you for your wonderful script. We had a fantastic night and everyone loved the performance, especially the performers. Keep writing, we need great scripts for young students. Thanks again. St Leonard’s College
It was a tremendous event with our small hall struggling to cope with both our audience and 160 kids on stage. Thanks for all your help. Kennington PS
The children were terrific. Thanks for a great environmental musical. Mackellar PS
Rubbish gave us a chance to think about our environment. Chertsey PS
Doctor Pimples
8 roles (M or F), one simple set, optional chorus
Perfect short musical for teenagers. Doctor Pimples is just 60 minutes, has inexpensive but striking costumes, and makes a great first-up musical, lively dinner-theatre and a terrific melodrama. Ideal for junior/middle high school and youth theatre groups.
Doctor Pimples is an evil con-merchant preaching that young people must look a certain way if they are to be successful. S/He has convinced the beautiful but gullible Lulu Smith she is ugly and would be scorned if she ever went out into public. Lulu is desperate to get pimples to become attractive. Dr P’s lecherous assistant Leroy is giving Lulu a truly tough time. Also working for Dr Pimples is nice guy, journalist Eddy Tore, and two chocoholics, Spotty and Rash, who know the truth but are afraid to tell Lulu in case they lose their ration of chocolate eclairs. Dave Sunshine is a hunky, spunky pop star with a flawless complexion. ‘Oh I’ve got fresh breath and white teeth and bright, shiny hair. I’ve dimples, no pimples and clean underwear.’ Dave is managed by Doctor Pimples and is making a packet for his nasty boss. But disaster dominates! Dave discovers he has a pimple. Dr Pimples is furious. Pop stars are meant to be gorgeous and blemish-free. Delores Delightful is a sensational star who discovers the rotten business with Lulu and Doctor Pimples. ‘Never give a sucker an even break or else they’ll quickly make a sucker out of you!’ Delores tells Lulu the truth but Lulu can’t/won’t believe it. Eddy joins them and the corrupt empire is under threat. Melodrama takes over. Arch villain Dr Pimples and sidekick Leroy plot to destroy the goodies. Dave Sunshine is really Rupert Balonsky and Lulu used to buy pizzas from Dave’s parents. This is earth-shattering stuff! The sweethearts are re-united and the evil empire of Dr Pimples is finally destroyed. The goodies win, the baddies repent and the company finish by singing the toe-tapping number ‘The right way to judge any people is not to judge them at all’.
A great success. Dr Pimples worked because the script appealed to all ages, the music and songs are catchy, and the characters are well contrasted allowing for a lot of scope in casting. Huntingdale HS
We enjoyed it immensely. Catholic Regional College Melton
Students, staff and the whole community just loved it. Driver HS
Doctor Pimples was perfect for us. The language and variety of musical numbers clicked with the students; we really felt they enjoyed working on them. The musical was both accessible and enjoyable. Monbulk HS
Doctor Pimples was very successful and enthusiastically received by our audiences. From the beginning the cast found the script stimulating, humourous and discreetly didactic. The great advantage of this musical is that one set is used which avoids clumsy scene changes. Once the show is in motion it just doesn’t stop. The musical score was ideal for students, the songs easily taught and sung with each song using a different musical style. We included a supporting cast of dancers and chorus which certainly added to the visual and sound quality of the show. We certainly enjoyed working on Doctor Pimples and would recommend it for any school or theatrical group. Daylesford THS
We really enjoyed the show. It’s a hoot! Somerset College
Thanks very much for all your support. The show was a huge success. Euroa HS
We did enjoy Doctor Pimples and have recommended your shows to other schools. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College
Dr Pimples was extremely successful. Thank you for your help and the show and we will definitely keep contacting you for future productions. Marsden HS
It was the first play in this school for 29 years and went so well we are interested in any other musicals you have which are suitable for students. Ballarat North TS
Rat Race
12 roles [M or F], amazing set, chorus, 85 minutes
A giant pile of rubbish dominates your performing area. On it, under it, into it and from it come the rats. Simple costumes and just one set. Life is tough. Starvation, disease, unemployment and marauding cats. Now the local council wants to clean the streets and thereby destroy the home of the rats. ‘You can always be miserable, you can always live in pain.’ But suddenly there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Enter Snortle Tozer. Is he or she a con rat, an evangelist, a guru? The others are unsure. They tell their troubles to Snortle who laughs them off. You can do anything. ‘You’ve got to make every post a winner.’ Snortle’s plan is quite simple. Rats must convince humans that they [the rats] are nice, that rats can be useful to humans. But how? Humans can’t speak Ratish. Simple. Make a movie. So the rats start rehearsing. This is brilliant. Humans will soon like us. Life can be wonderful after all. But unbeknown to the rats, one of their number is doing a deal with the enemy. Bopalopa, the rat who rats, is doing a Judas with the local feline. Snortle uncovers the secret but then Snortle too has a secret. ‘We’re living a lie, just living a lie.’ Will the rats find out? If they do find out, will their hopes and dreams be destroyed?
The movie begins. Your pile of rubbish miraculously [and simply] becomes a staircase for the chorus line of high-kicking, top-hatted rats. Confetti, balloons, follow-spots and sparkle. What a sight. ‘Nice! We’re nice!’ Your drab and dismal set becomes a 1930s Hollywood movie! The fantastic finale is in full swing when the deal with the cat comes off! Panic. Rats run everywhere in terror. After the battle, the crushed and wounded lick their wounds. What happened to Snortle? What happened to the movie? Is this the end? Like so many FOX endings, everything is resolved and made crystal clear. Or is it? Rat Race has received outstanding reviews.
We had a wonderful time with Rat Race and it was a huge success! The characters were engaging and the music catchy! We all particularly loved Moggies. Thank you so much for all your guidance. Loreto Mandeville Hall
RAT RACE is fast-moving, packed with action and guaranteed to generate laughs. It has bright and bouncy numbers to keep audiences humming and stomping along. Melbourne Herald Sun
Enjoyed it immensely. Swan Hill HS
RAT RACE voted a smash hit. It is a wonderfully written show. Moe PS
Our RAT RACE production was a tremendous success. We have received wonderful feedback from parents. Templeton PS
The play was great. We were all very happy and got some wonderful comments. We all loved the music. The kids walk through the school singing your songs at the top of their lungs. Gibraltar School, WI
RAT RACE is a brilliant musical, a superb production, a show not to be missed. Nepean District Christian School
RAT RACE is a musical which combines comedy, action and suspense along with some very singable numbers. Dramatically, technically and musically, RAT RACE comes very close to the perfect primary and secondary school production Middle Park PS
A great success, incredibly well received. Thank you for being so prompt with rehearsal material. The show was great! We will definitely recommend you to all our associates! Marian College
The show was very well received Carey Baptist Grammar School
The students thoroughly enjoyed this show with its unique characters and catchy tunes and were all disappointed that we were not doing a longer season! How wonderful it is to have a show that has band parts that can be played by students thus giving our instrumentalists a very special experience. Thanks for a great show Star of the Sea College
A roaring success. The children loved the songs which they sang beautifully. Parents left each show humming the catchy tunes. Three Lovely Creatures was an absolute show-stopper as was the big number Nice. Thank you for creating such wonderful scores. Looking forward to further Fox follies. Quarry Hill PS
Smash hit! Great feedback. Thanks so much for everything. It was a great experience for us all. American HS, Brazil, South America
Lollies
10 roles (M or F), chorus, one simple set, stunning costumes, 85 minutes
Our story takes place one night in a lolly shop [candy store] when the owners have closed the door and gone home. The lollies [candy] come alive. It’s just another night when suddenly a bombshell is dropped. Everyone’s life is being threatened. Will they survive? How? And then someone’s missing. Finding the body is not pleasant. Was it murder? How will it all end? We long for a sweet ending. P.S. The actors in this play respectfully request that they be not consumed until after the show!
Our production of Lollies was exhausting but wonderful. The kids did great. Our audiences were the best we have ever had. They loved the show. The kids really enjoyed the show. The backdrop was a really cute cartoon version of a sweet shop shelf. It’s great to have material that is suited to children’s voices and talents. Summer Stages Children’s Theater New Orleans
Each and every one of the 87 students in our Year 7 had a wonderful experience. Thank you for writing such a wonderful musical. I must agree with you – “Musicals are certainly magic!”. Some of the students have written reviews. “I received lots out of this production. To always learn your lines on time, to co-operate with your cast and director, to follow all instructions, to use time effectively. To always go into a musical with 110% exertion and come out feeling like you have done something really worthwhile. I did most of these things and the musical for me was very pleasant. But mostly I received lots of memories that will live in my memory in years to come. Lollies entered into the hearts of all who came to see it … My parents thought the show was terrific. Friends of my parents were very enthusiastic and wanted to see it again. My little sister is still singing some of the songs in the shower. When is the next play being cast? I would love to be in another play for the thrill of being on stage. Matthew Flinders Anglican College
It was great. Thanks for an excellent musical Korumburra PS
You were very helpful with suggestions when I was trying to choose a show. We did Lollies with the whole school – all 82 children in the show. They loved the songs. It was fantastic. Sassafras PS
We had another successful show. I must say the reason we like this musical is because it gives so many students chances to solo and have a REAL part. Colorado Academy of the Arts
Thank you for writing such a wonderful musical. I must agree with you that Musicals are certainly magic. Matthew Flinders Anglican College
There were sherbert bombs, liquorice all-sorts, toffee apples, peanut brittle, a jelly bean and an after-dinner mint. And that was just the beginning. Add 210 girls, lots of colour and movement and you’ve got Lollies – a mix of music, mayhem and mystery The sweetest songs of all. Lollies is very age-appropriate. MLC
Lollies worked out really well. Northam High School
The final night said it all. The children just wanted to keep on going. We received lots of compliments, especially for the songs. Napier Central School
This year we have 362 children to perform Lollies. It’s a show you will remember – bright, happy, melodic and bubbly. St Louis de Montfort PS
If you’re looking for a play which will [a] get a large number of children interested in a fantastically enjoyable piece of musical theatre, [b] lend itself to creative, simple makeup, costume and staging [c] be adored by audience and cast members alike and [d] be easy and fun to direct, THEN YOU’VE FOUND IT!!!! I can highly recommend Lollies to anyone working with upper primary and/or lower secondary students. In our case 80 year 6 students had a wonderful experience of musical theatre. It was the highlight of their year! As a bonus, you have the support of the very approachable playwright, Mr Cenarth Fox. Look no further, you have found it! Enjoy! Robyn Kay, Drama Co-ordinator, Loreto Mandeville Hall, Toorak
Jungle
10 roles (M or F), chorus, one fabulous set, amazing costumes, 85 minutes
Your set is a steamy, eerie, fascinating jungle. Your characters wear costumes as amazing as your budget allows. This is a hugely popular musical. In this spooky jungle, the animals worry about disappearing plants and humans e.g. students who can spell, honest politicians and rock stars who can sing. Other animals are concerned with personal problems. Zebra wants a pedestrian-crossing named after him/her. Hippo is disgusted with society’s lack of manners. Croc is a con-animal selling stition. Top quality mind. This is superstition. And Chimp has an idea to bring the movie makers back to the jungle. ‘Come back Tarzan, Cheetah, Jane, we know all your lines.’
Lion remembers his grandfather discussing the merits of eating different missionaries. ‘Baptists you bite a bit, Mormons you munch, Salvos you swallow whole, Catholics you crunch.’ Then someone remembers it’s their patron saint’s birthday. St Charley. They rip into the routine with ‘Doin’ the Charley Darwin dance’. And the unemployed youth, the monkeys, are up to no good. ‘We ain’t got no jobs, we’re up to monkey business.’
But things really hot up when news arrives about a circus. A special circus. It has performing humans! Some of the animals think this is cruel but others reckon the humans are well cared for. Tension builds. A huge crowd packs the big top. The ferocious footballers come out and perform some exciting tricks. Suddenly they escape. Panic. The animals ran wildly into the jungle as the ferocious footballers race into the crowd. Poor old Hippo is suddenly alone with a wild, ferocious footballer. The much-criticised youth save the day and the animals gather to discuss their future. The finale is the moving Animal Anthem. The music in Jungle is fabulous. From the rocking Come Back Tarzan to the moving ballad Bring Back Manners to the hilarious Missionaries you’ll love the score. And as with all FOX musicals, there’s so much happening on different levels to make you think. Great entertainment but always something to get your mind into gear.
The show was a great success. All the participants got a great feeling of self-worth and their friends and relatives were amazed. Thank you once again for one of your musicals. St Fidelis Youth Group
This musical is a great celebration! What a show! What a celebration! What a buzz for our school! The audience loved us. We had a finale of three of the favourite songs and in the end, the children were dancing and singing in the aisles, almost out of control! The audience joined in as they were so familiar with your songs. Some even complained that they couldn’t stop singing them! You should have been there for the final curtain and received your well-deserved accolades. Cambewarra PS
JUNGLE was hugely successful. Hampton PS
It was an extremely successful production and cast, crew, orchestra and staff have been an absolute buzz these last couple of days. Our audiences responded to the witty, humorous script. Xavier College
The unique story and bouncy music are all fabulous. Seaford Park PS
Bright music, witty dialogue, magnificent masks, a wonderful production. Te Puru PS
JUNGLE was a great success. Houghton Regis Middle School
A great success Whitefriars College
Another outstanding success. Thanks for a fantastic musical. JUNGLE was tops. Singleton PS
The musical was a great success. The parents thoroughly enjoyed the show and declared it our best ever. Birralee PS
JUNGLE has proved so popular it’s been a sell-out for each of the three nights. St Joseph’s School Levin
Most successful and met with excellent comments from audiences. Sefton School
A magnificent night of entertainment. Takapuna Intermediate School
JUNGLE was another excellent show (the third of yours!). The students and audiences loved it. Thank you for your efforts and support. Keep up the great work. Killarney Vale PS
Trivia
14 roles (M and F), one set, chorus, 85 minutes
It’s the musical where the performers write parts of the script. There are some trivia quizzes with one about your area. You can add your own local questions. At a local school, your school, we meet our stars. Debbie, Kenny and Tracey Precocious. Debbie (tennis champ])and Kenny (computer boffin) are whiz kids but also brats. Their pretentious parents spoil the wonder kids rotten ignoring their third child, Tracey. The school principal and neighbour fall over themselves to be nice to Debbie and Kenny. The media think the Precocious brats are beautiful. And we all know about the media. ‘There is the truth, whole truth and nothing but the truth but we have to have a good story.’
Tracey is forgotten. Her parents and siblings ignore her. But Tracey loves trivia. She knows the most trivial bits of information. Who wrote Beethoven’s fifth symphony? Why are bananas bent? How do they get the stripes in striped toothpaste? Her class has a trivia test. Tracey wins. She comes home and tells her family. They ignore her. The school has a trivia test. Tracey wins. Still she’s ignored. She is forgotten. Do parents spoil their kids?
Media promoter Al Slick arrives to take over some Precocious promotion. ‘I can put your name in papers, on screens from Xanadu to Zanzibar. I can put your name in glory and fame, I can make you a star!’ The parents, school principal and neighbour are over the moon. Does Al want Debbie or Kenny? Why not both? Oh no! Al Slick doesn’t want either of the super-star siblings. Al wants to promote Tracey. Who!? Stunned disbelief. Tracey? She’s a nobody. She’s not a mega-star. Or is she? Al thinks she is. Al has a plan to promote Tracey in her quest to win the new national trivia championship. Tracey is suddenly hot property. Her family and others eat humble pie. We switch to the TV studio and the quiz. Tracey’s family are in the audience. It’s time to see who really is the greatest trivia champ. ‘If it’s trivial then it’s important, if it’s important then it’s trivial.’ The tension builds. The questions fly. Tracey does her best. It goes right down to the wire. A fabulous victory for some. A time to eat humble pie for others.
Trivia is a musical that’s great fun, simple to stage and thought-provoking. There are heaps of minor parts for your busy chorus. You can even write your own local trivia questions for the script. It’s a snappy, topical, ideal youth-theatre musical.
Its a witty and lively musical, great fun and with something for everyone. Westall HS
Trivia worked really well. It was a very satisfying experience. Knoxfield College
Our musical was extremely successful with a terrific response from our audiences. The printing of the word Trivia was important to our show. In the school scene, we used our school colours with the school badge and the word Trivia printed in blue writing on a yellow t-shirt. We got good publicity for the show. Thank you for such a great musical. Coffs Harbour HS
The show was very successful and the children really enjoyed doing it, as usual. Timboon P12 School
We thoroughly enjoyed preparing for and performing Trivia. We’re looking forward to some of your other musicals next year. Thanks too for being a distinguished guest in our audience – it meant a lot to the girls and staff! Ruyton Girls’ School
We had so many people involved. It was very rewarding. Korowa Anglican Girls’ School
With a cast and orchestra of over 100 students, the world premiere of Trivia explores failure, success and the effects these have on our families and friends. Golden Square HS
Trivia is far from trivial in theme. Underneath the simple story of the Precocious family is very definitely a message for us all. If parts of Trivia seem fairly close to home, I make no apology, as it is only by questioning and reflecting on our behaviour, attitudes and belief that the unfairness reflected in this play can be avoided. The students have worked enthusiastically and co-operatively to present a show full of fun in which justice is done and the heroine is successful in the end. Rangeville SS
Garden Folk
11 roles (M or F), amazing set, equally amazing costumes, chorus, 80 minutes. Have you got 440 performers?
A controversial play with a sparkling score and dozens of rave reviews. At the bottom of your garden, (what a set!) is a village of tiny creatures. There are neighbourhood squabbles over too much noise, children watching TV and not doing homework, frustrated hopes and ambitions – it’s just like your place really. Ant is new to town looking for accommodation. Do you want new neighbours? Ladybird is a fusspot worried about her many children. Grasshopper is a fitness fanatic, Mantis is nasty, preying and praying, Fly is an idiot with hopeless ambitions of stardom, Spider’s a sly but pathetic creature, and Snail is a philosopher and cynic. Caterpillar is pigging out getting fatter and fatter. The others poke fun and killer birds fly overhead seeking a tasty morsel. Some startling events take place. First there’s an applequake and huge apples crash to earth. And Mantis is there to help (?) as the local insurance rep. Then there’s the killer spray. Humans want to kill certain insects on their precious roses but sprays don’t discriminate. Events race towards a shocking conclusion. Ant is disgusted with certain residents and plans to expose them. A plot is hatched to get rid of Ant. The deed is about to be done when something wonderful happens. Portly piggy Caterpillar returns in a new body. Butterfly is stunning. It’s a picture-hat and song to stop the show.
But still the attack on Ant continues and just when the crowd moves in for the kill, a voice is heard offstage. It’s Ant looking for a spot to live. And so life goes on. Garden Folk has enchanted audiences using up to 440 performers in one production. The songs are lively and character-based. The story is powerful and relevant to life today. The show runs for 85 minutes, has 11 main roles, a gorgeous chorus of beetles, butterflies and more, and a single set that wins applause for its colour and ingenuity. How about some giant vegetables or a spider’s web which doubles as a trampoline? Garden Folk is a hit.
The Seymour Junior School production of Garden Folk was an outstanding success. The musical itself is humourous yet thought-provoking and with its emphasis on community relationships and ecological issues fits in well in a contemporary primary program. The structure of the play enables whole school participation, which is an important aspect. Chorus parts allow for mass participation, while not placing too onerous a demand on students whose talents in performance might not be the strongest. On the other hand, the individual roles of Ant, Bee, Spider, etc. give scope for particular students to demonstrate and hone their singing and acting skills. The touches of cynicism and egocentricity displayed by some of the characters give the play a sharper point than is often evident in children’s plays, and certainly provided an additional element in the audience’s enjoyment of the piece. Garden Folk has considerable contemporary appeal and has been a most valuable experience for all who were involved in it. Seymour College, Adelaide
A complex play, well written, rich in ideas. Spensley Street PS
Our cast included the whole school – 440 students. Fairhills PS
Thanks for a great show. The kids enjoyed it and the audience reaction was great. Belgrave South PS
Very successful, very colourful and a great deal of fun. Emerald PS
GARDEN FOLK explores many facets of “living together”, making realistic comparisons with human existence. It’s all done with large doses of wit and some excellent songs. Victorian Schools Music Association
A fabulous show – no hesitation in recommending GARDEN FOLK to other groups. Quarry Hill PS
GARDEN FOLK was hugely successful. Eastbourne PS
Thank you for GARDEN FOLK. Everybody loved it. Mt Martha PS
A charming enactment, catchy songs, humourous lines with many wise comments on life. An enchanting play with bright and happy songs. Ouyen PS
Our musical went extremely well. The kids had such fun and of course the parents all thought their kids were wonderful. Walcha Central School
Fish ‘n Ships
10 roles, one salty set, waterproof costumes, chorus, 80 minutes. Does Davy Jones have a locker?
On the ocean floor is the world of marine creatures with the odd human. It’s funny and dramatic, entertaining and educational with appeal to both adults and children. Caring for the marine environment is skilfully woven into the plot. Your set is watery and wild with dangling, swirling vegetation and the costumes are gob-smacking! Herring is a con-merchant with a plastic shipwreck the name of which changes to suit the type of tourist. Penguin is an old-school-tie stick-in-the-mud who wants to dress for dinner and bring back the black bow-tie. Sardine is a poor, over-worked battler striving for improved living conditions with family squashed in like … sardines! Octopus is vain, stupid, selfish, possibly beautiful and her own worst enemy. Shark loves pool halls. He’s a pool shark. What’s in the sack he carries and why is it dumped in a locker marked Davy Jones? Groper is a friendly dope. He gives his heart but is rejected. Will he ever find happiness? Crab is a collector. Particularly anything that glitters. There’s gold in certain shipwrecks. But is the love of money the root of all evil? Diver is a human, a friendly, generous person with a special never-to-be-repeated offer. Humans want to give the fish some gourmet garbage and in return will take away the horrible, messy black stuff under the sea bed. I think it’s called oil. What a fantastic offer. ‘We’re going to be so filthy, filthy rich’ is a rocky show-stopper sung by the delirious fishy folk. Not filthy rich, just filthy. They are overjoyed. Things move to a frightening climax. A wedding is planned but the truth about the garbage is discovered. Will the wedding guests learn the truth in time? Should they eat the wedding breakfast?
Fish ‘n Ships was fantastic! Burnett Heads PS
In the underwater world of Fish ‘n Ships, many merfolk swim about and the plots arise. When a strange fisher-person arrives at their door, questions will be asked. Are they safe? Will the fish come to their senses? Are the fish right? Will it be a salty end? See all the thrills and colour in this great show. ‘Come on in The Water is Fine’. Patterson Lakes PS
The adult audience thoroughly enjoyed the well-written lines … the music was bright and bubbly … responses have been extremely positive … a meaningful, professional show. The dramatic ending made all think about our waterways. Middle Park PS
Romance, comedy, music and morals, all narrated by a worm dangling from a fish hook! These are some of the endearing qualities of Fish’n Ships. Fish Creek PS
Squawk!
12 roles, scope for a huge chorus, one main set and some fowl costumes, 80 minutes
Chickens. Lots of ’em. But there is great depth to the characters, complex themes to the script, and language and ideas to challenge all ages. Squawk! works on different levels. Your set is a barn with bales of hay. Simple and inexpensive. But you can go to town on your costumes. Cossbocky is the boss cocky and he or she reckons they know everything and have the right to tell the others how to live. Columbus is a daring would-be explorer. Bantam is a fashion-conscious snob dedicated to the catwalk and looking a million dollars.
Anabolic is a cock-fighter, a looney intent on winning the world title not knowing he’s being exploited and living a dangerous probably very short life. ‘Gotta train for years, blood, sweat and tears, to fight.’ Shakespeare is a poet and XP a scientist. Can art and science ever mix? Little Al is an idealist who wants life to get better. Justice, freedom, fair play, and all that jazz. The show begins with your three million chickens, okay, two million, letting rip with the title song. Soon Columbus upsets the egg-cart by announcing a plan to go exploring. ‘North, south, east or west, life is an adventure when you leave the nest.’ But you can’t! What’s outside the barn? Danger, death, destruction. Columbus won’t be put off and, loaded to the teeth with exploring gear, takes his/her leave. Many eye-catching developments take place. A spectacular fashion parade, a show-stopping title fight, genetic engineering with dancing egg-cups and an exciting move to establish a charter for human rights. Or should that be animal rights?
But the action really hots up when an unusual but striking new character enters the barn. She claims to be misunderstood and the others thereafter refer to her as Miss Understood. She wears full riding outfit but has a suspicious foxy feel about her person. Yes, a fox in a barn full of chickens. But Miss Understood has a great offer. A new life, a better life for all. It’s a happy hen house. Great music, food and living conditions. The chickens are thrilled. They cram inside this brand new designer accommodation.
But it’s a trap. All the chickens are trapped. Panic turns to despair. A pathetic and tragic ending until suddenly Columbus returns. But look at the torn clothing and cuts and bruises. Columbus brings news of the outside world, of the horrible hen houses. Too late. His friends and family are already inside.
Miss Understood returns to complete her grisly scheme but is suddenly attracted to a strange voice. The plot races to a moving and triumphant finale with the stirring anthem ‘There is a Life’. A beautiful song climaxing an emotional musical. ‘No greater gift, no greater prize, no greater love, no greater ties. Life is for everyone, there is a life for all.’
I thought SQUAWK! was … really great … a super play … the best ever … fun to do … excellent … fantastic … a hit! … Really cool … Just the best.” Seaford Park PS
The children and local community both thoroughly enjoyed Squawk! Our school has only 42 children and every student was in the production. With a small stage in a hall with bad acoustics there are some problems. But I am sending you the tape so you can see the enjoyment your shows bring to a small community of 150 people in drought. Thank you for all your assistance. Weethalle PS
Thanks for writing the play and the songs were great. Squawk! was a hit from all aspects – the colour, music, dance and dialogue sent a very strong message to all and sundry. We all loved Squawk! and felt part of its squawking success! The whole school has expressed how good they felt Squawk! was. Our local member of federal parliament wanted to adopt Fight, Fight, Fight! for his next campaign. One 15 year-old critic said, “That was the best show ever!”, and we received similar comments from different fields. I can see Squawk! becoming a real hit. Seaford Park PS
It went extremely well. The kids loved the music Patterson Lakes PS
Squawk! was a great success. The kids really respond to your music and audiences relate well to the songs and follow the story intently. Keep ‘em coming. Morisset PS
Thank you for your “fowl” musical. We had a terrific time Greenhills PS
Lots of fun. Thanks for coming to see our show. The kids really appreciated it. Timboon P12 School
It was huge! It went really, really well. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart PS Elmore. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart PS Elmore
Far Out
14 roles, chorus, one simple set (with rocket ship offstage) and great variety of costumes, 85 minutes
Martians, spaceships, astronauts, end-of-the-world nutters, gossip and adventure. Far Out is far out. The planet Soil is undiscovered. It’s just like Earth but no-one has ever heard of it. That is until your play begins. You see Soil has humans just like Earth but is about 500 years behind. Soil has no TV, cars or boxer shorts. Soil has no pizzas, flickering Christmas tree lights or long life custard. But all that is about to change. A rocket ship from Earth lands on Soil. It’s a mistake. The astronauts are dumbfounded. But when they learn the truth they are overwhelmed. What a fantastic discovery. Think of the news this will make. One of the astronauts is thinking of the dollar signs and makes a pact with one of the Soilites to bring take-away food, yo-yos and skateboards to Soil. The local gossip is in overdrive. ‘Love may make the world go round but gossip pays the rental.’
But Soil has its share of weird personalities just like Earth. Gumen and gang believe the end of the world is nigh and see the Earthlings as proof positive of their theory. ‘My bunions are hurtin’ and that means for certain tomorrow’s the end of the world.’ Things are hotting up. Especially when two locals are building a spaceship out of feathers and string. They plan to soar through the universe in their homemade contraption. Don Quixote eat your heart out. Then at night, a strange sound is heard. Spooky lights flicker upstage behind the trees. It’s another space ship. Eerie figures emerge and sing. ‘We’re Martians, funny creatures with sticks poking out of our head.’ The local gossip is into melt down.
Suddenly the pace accelerates. The Martians capture an Earthling who is a Soilite. The string and feathers spaceship is launched with amazing results. The doomsday preachers kidnap the wrong victim and the wrong spaceship. The gossip is having kittens. It’s funny, fast and furious but with a well-rounded finale. ‘Truth is stranger than fiction, take a look at us.’
The play was great fun, a terrific success. Dialogue and songs are spot on for primary and secondary schools. Seaford Park PS
It was a huge success as is usual with Fox Plays St Brendan’s PS
Bytes
Bytes was another roaring success. Singleton PS
15 roles, chorus, one set (the inside of a computer), 85 minutes.
Do computers control our lives? Some say computers with their many bits and bytes have taken over the world. Our bills, phone calls, grocery shopping, theatre tickets and pension entitlements are all locked into a computer. So too our health insurance, traffic fines and library borrowings. We’re told computers never make mistakes. We’re told they work tirelessly and always for the benefit of humans. Well, sorry, but that’s just a load of cobblers. You are about to discover the truth! A musical set inside a computer. Almost everyone is a byte, a worker in the computer. Dos is the boss and Rom and Ram the librarians. Bytes is entertaining and educational. Qwerty is a quirky character who thinks about life. Why do computers, well zillions of them, when asked to perform, answer only “Yes” or “No”? Why be binary based? I mean why can’t computers answer “Maybe”. Qwerty works on a new way for computers to behave.
Three games’ bytes arrive. Virtual Banality, Greta the Garbo and Conan the Vegetarian reckon games are important. Millions of adults and children play computer games. But this debate is nothing to the one generated by the FBI byte. That’s right. Find Bogus Info. The pirate buster arrives looking for pirated software. ‘For I am a pirate buster, they fluster at my bluster. I chase the crooks with their stolen books, if you steal you’ll squeal like Custer.’ Thank you Messrs Sullivan and Gilbert.
Through all this, Rom and Ram are quite upset. Life is too fast. Change is too great. They long for the old days of manual typewriters, blotting paper and pen and ink. ‘On manual typewriters, words looked okay, and in-between tea breaks we’d type two a day.’
But after the computer is switched off, the bytes retire. It’s dark. Suddenly a light picks out a snazzy-looking character. It’s Pixel from the monitor. Pixel and the Pixelettes. They want excitement, risk-taking, adventure. They want showbiz. They sing ‘Give up your day job, go into showbiz, buy a ticket to life.’ It’s a tap-dancing show-stopper. Of course, grumpy old Go To comes out in his pyjamas and tells the pixels to stop this awful racket. Artists are never appreciated.
When work/life resumes, a new danger is discovered. A hacker is trying to break in. This coupled with the fear of a virus has the bytes in a spin. They only relax when Basic arrives with the tea trolley. ‘The bosses, the workers, the Gurkhas, the shirkers all cease their mazurkas to sip, slurp with glee.’ But then Qwerty has fantastic news with the discovery of a new way for computers to respond. Not just Yes or No. Why not add Maybe? It kills the boredom. It makes computers able to think. It’s mind-blowing. But will this potentially disastrous idea ever see the light of day?
We hardly get to decide when terrible news arrives. The hacker appears to hack! Panic! A spectacular computer game develops with each important byte going into battle against the hacker. Goodies are despatched easily by the baddies. Things are not looking good. But then the hacker is captured. It’s all over. But is it? Suddenly a well-known byte turns out to be someone else. The play races to a spellbinding finale.
Bytes has a chorus of bytes and pixels, a toe-tapping score, one exciting set, eye-catching costumes and heaps of useful information about computers presented in a user-friendly way. Boot up your Bytes.