This is the complete Vocal Score from the Pantomime, Dick Whittington and His Cat which was first performed at Torpoint School, Cornwall in 1975, and subsequently broadcast on Plymouth Sound Radio. Tony Bowditch, who wrote the lyrics, was also a teacher at the school.

The 17 numbers are available separately below, or complete in one file. A full libretto is now ready as a Word Document (file size 216 KB) and full performing rights are freely given to anyo... (more)

This is the complete Vocal Score from the Pantomime, Dick Whittington and His Cat which was first performed at Torpoint School, Cornwall in 1975, and subsequently broadcast on Plymouth Sound Radio. Tony Bowditch, who wrote the lyrics, was also a teacher at the school.

The 17 numbers are available separately below, or complete in one file. A full libretto is now ready as a Word Document (file size 216 KB) and full performing rights are freely given to anyone who has acquired both the musical score, and the book. Advice on performance and staging is freely on hand, and the libretto may easily be adapted to suit any current location, situation or company. The original cast comprised pupils at the school (11-16 Mixed Comprehensive), with staff taking the parts only of Dame Cicely Suett, the Sultan and Alderman Haddock.

MP3 files are available for the ten pieces which were used in the Plymouth Sound broadcast, and these accompany the ten relevant separate numbers. Carmella Mackenzie provides the narration, which precedes each track. The chorus consists of a small number of students who were able to fit into the studio, and the accompaniment is provided by myself on the piano, science teacher Chris McPhillips on double bass, and biology specialist, Julie Perkins on drums. Julie, in fact, had never played drums before, but had learnt to play them for this pantomime, and does an excellent job! The broadcast took place on December 28, 1975, and an original reel-to-reel recording was taken at the time. The Sultan is played by woodwork teacher, John Hough, with all other solos from the students themselves.

This is, of course, conceived as an example of a typically British confection - namely, a pantomime - and was written almost 30 years ago, in the prevailing style of the time, and before some of today's listeners were probably 'knee high to a grasshopper', or wallaby, for that matter! To consider it a musical is rather to miss the plot! Boo!

All Reviews

There are 2 reviews for this score

Extraordinary
I had to review this piece; I'm only three songs into it, but am already stunned by the quality of the writing. The songs are consistently catchy, witty and sophisticated, and perfect for junior or senior school performance. I would love to see this composer raise the bar further and tackle a more adult-oriented musical. The West End is crying out for this level of invention.

Gavin Brock

 

Ooooh... inventive!
Aaaah, a childrens musical. How nice. I like childrens musicals, when done well they are a lot of fun for everyone to watch. The little sly jokes that appeal to the slightly older audience hidden amongst the endless barrel of silliness for the kids to yell and scream about. If every childrens musical was written with this much musical care and crafting it would be a very good thing for this world. However... you must not patronize your audience with the same tune that every other composer in the world has written for a kids musical. No-one wants to hear the same familiar melody you swear you have heard in fifty other songs previously. Even the kids can pick up on that!! Oh yes, top marks for writing run-of-the-mill, dull, formulaic, bog-standard tunes. Nice One. Love your work. A craftsmen, yes I will submit to that. Inspirational? Inventive? Entertaining? Worth taking the time to listen to? No. Listen to the first two bars of each song then move to the next one. You'll get the idea.

Craig Wood