LAUNCHED 1ST FEBRUARY 1999
Want to try something new for your Millennium Panto?
For details simply click on the title of your choiceThis 1999 Online Catalogue features full details of the following
pantomimes written by Dave Buchanan and published by Wonderful World
of Panto:
THE COLLECTION
for info on
scripts and how to obtain them
Perhaps the most popular of pantos, with the one exception of "Cinderella", this version follows traditional lines.
PLOT RESUME
Aladdin is tricked by wheeler-dealer/magician Abanazar into retrieving
the magic lamp from a cave in the hills. The lamp enables him to pay
court to Princess Ting-Ling, but Abanazar gets it back and usurps the
throne of China. However a combination of luck and youthful ingenuity
restores the status quo and all ends happily.
The plot fairly cracks along with a mixture of comic set pieces and spectacular FX.
CAST 5 MALE 7 FEMALE PARTS
Major: Aladdin (Principal Boy), Widow Twankey (Dame), Wishy
Washy, Abanazar, Empress of China, Princess Ting-Ling (Principal Girl).
Minor: Jeanie (of the Lamp), Grand Vizier, So-Long (Princess's
maid), Nitty Poo (Abanazar's assistant), Pride & Malice (sprites).
4 main sets; production notes inc FX and musical numbers suggested.
SET PIECES
Haunted cave
Dame's washing line routine & tea party
Magic & telepathy tricks
Great Wall of China illusion
SCRIPT EXTRACT
For a sample of the script, click here. WWP
The familiar plot, interspersed with the comic capers of the robbers.
PLOT RESUME
Poor camel-driver Ali Baba stumbles across a cave containing the loot
of local mobster Al Kapoun. Ali becomes famous when he restores the
Sultan's crown, but is captured by the robbers when he returns to the
cave for more loot. He escapes, but is tracked down by evil Al, bent
on revenge. After the big showdown, good finally prevails.
CAST 4 MALE 4 FEMALE 5 M/F PARTS
Major: Ali Baba, Said Baba (Ali's son) (PB), Mario Marconi
(shopkeeper) Mariana (Mario's daughter) (PG), Al Kapoun (robber chief),
Nesta (Dame)
Minor: Die Hard, Nasty Ned, Little Creep (robbers), Sounah &
Leita (dancing girls), Len & Borro (comic duo).
5 main sets; production notes inc FX and musical numbers suggested.
SET PIECES
Cave with "Open Sesame!" routine
Mirage & oasis (not the group, sorry!)
The wallpapering scene, based upon a Charlie Chaplin classic routine,
is fully detailed.
The oil jar scene, of course
SCRIPT EXTRACT
For a sample of the script, click here. WWP
The plot combines the Babes-lost-in-the-forest story with the Robin Hood
legend. The comedy comes thick and fast with two lots of comic duos: the
robber assassins of course, and a dim-witted pair of Men in Tights called
Big John and Little John. Plus, a really villainous Sheriff. And an unforgettable Dame!
PLOT RESUME
The Babes come to visit their uncle, the Sheriff of Nottingham, little
suspecting that he is planning their demise. But never fear, help is at
hand! - in the shape of Robin and his Merry Men, plus Lady Marian, and
Nanny Dame Danni (with two Is).
CAST 5 MALE 4 FEMALE 4 M/F PARTS
Major: Tammy & Teenie (Babes), Syd & Cecil (robbers), Lady
Marian (PG), Robin Hood (PB), Sheriff of Nottingham, Dame Dannii.
Minor: Trudy Crabtree (village girl), Alan Adair (minstrel), Big
John & Little John (Merry Men), Tootsie (dog).
5 main sets; production notes inc FX and musical numbers suggested.
SET PIECES
Schoolroom scene
Dame's strip and seduction scene (do you have an actor who dares to play
this Dame?)
Maypole & robotic dances
Boxing ballet
SCRIPT EXTRACT
For a sample of the script, click here. WWP
The most loved of all pantos, and the plot line almost sacrosanct. This
version concentrates on comic set pieces, especially those involving the
Ugly Sisters. Outstanding are a vintage car scene and a classic ballroom
scene involving several musical styles and hilarious dialogue. There is a
secondary plot called "The Baron's Revenge" on a hen-pecked husband theme.
PLOT RESUME
Cinderella lives at Hardup Hall with her father, Baron Hardup, but has
rather a hard time at the hands of stepmother Lady hardup and stepsisters
Hilda and Tilda. The latter are determined that Cinders shall not go to
Prince Charming's Grand Ball, but the Baron and his staff, Buttons, are
equally determined that she shall. And of course she does, with the
help of Fairy Godmum Foozle.
CAST 4 MALE 3 FEMALE 1 M/F PARTS
Major: Cinderella (PG), Baron Hardup, Lady Hardup, Buttons, Hilda
and Tilda (Ugly Sisters).
Minor: Fairy Foozle, Dandini, Prince Charming (PB).
4 main sets; production notes inc FX and musical numbers suggested.
SET PIECES
Vintage car scene
Transformation scene
Extended ballroom sequence including a rap
NB Running time is 1 hr 45 mins
SCRIPT EXTRACT
For a sample of the script, click here. WWP
The plot follows fairly traditional lines: the adventures in London and
Morocco of Dick and Tommy the cat, where the latter makes the former's fortune.
And all this despite the efforts of a delightfully fiendish King Rat.
PLOT RESUME
Dick Whittington comes to London with his cat Tommy to seek his fortune.
He is employed by Alderman Fitzwarren, and falls in love with the Alderman's
daughter Alice. Dick is given the chance of organising a trading expedition
to Morocco, but is prevented from doing so by the evil schemes of King Rat.
However he manages to join the expedition and with the helpof Fairy Snow,
Tommy, and cook Dolly Doolittle he makes good and returns in triumph to
London and Alice.
A fresh version of the classic adventure story with the added ingredients of comedy and spectacle.
CAST 7 MALE 6 FEMALE 1 M/F PARTS
Major: Dick Whittington (PB), Alice Fitzwarren (PG), Alderman
Fitzwarren, Percy Partridge (wimp), Walter Winkle (definitely not
a wally!), Dolly Doolittle (Dame), King Rat, Captain Bilge.
Minor: Tommy the cat, Fairy Snow, Mate, Princess Taffeta, Selima &
Cremona (dancing girls).
5 main sets; production notes include details of the ship and shipwreck; FX and musical numbers suggested.
SET PIECES
Haunted bedroom
Ship scenes including a shipwreck
London songs and dances
Arabian dances including a belly dance
SCRIPT EXTRACT
For a sample of the script, click here. WWP
Detailsof Jack & the Beanstalk
Jack's adventures up the beanstalk in the land of Giant Frank N Stein and
his mentor Doctor Knott. Plus a host of colourful characters including Dick
Dummox, leprechaun Sean Conn, and of course Lulubelle the cow.
PLOT RESUME
Jack's Mum Dame Jolly can't pay the rent so they sell off family pet
Lulubelle the cow. A passing leprechaun sells Jack some magic beans, and
when he plants them, he, Dame Jolly, Mr Chips the schoolmaster and Dick
Dummox are transported to Limboland. In Castle Eery he meets Mad Maude, the
giant and mad scientist Doctor Knott. Overwhelming odds are overcome as Jack
defeats the baddies and rescues the doctor's assistant Jill.
The giant's transformation scene is the highlight of a fast-moving and hilarious adventure classic.
CAST 5 MALE 3 FEMALE 1 M/F PARTS
Major: Dame Jolly (Dame), Jack Jolly (PB), Sean Conn (leprechaun),
Dick Dummox (simpleton), Mr Chips (schoolmaster), Doctor Knott (villain),
Jill (PG).
Minor: Old MacDonald (rent collector), Frank N Stein (giant), Mad
Maude (weirdo).
4 main sets; production notes inc FX and musical numbers suggested.
SET PIECES
Giant transformation scene
Dame's tea party
"Invisible" routine
Irish songs and dances
SCRIPT EXTRACT
For a sample of the script, click here. WWP
Details of The Sleeping Beauty
A new version of the old legend in which Princess Melody is struck down on
her eighteenth birthday by evil witch Grotte the Grim and doomed to sleep
for a hundred years.
PLOT RESUME
The kingdom of Kirkconia celebrates the birth of three royal children but
makes the mistake of not inviting Grotte the Grim, the evil witch of the
South-West. Eighteen years later Grotte takes terrible revenge and
Princess Melody and the whole court fall asleep. In this delightful new
version however the Princess's two brothers William and Rupert do not
fall asleep. With the help of a good fairy, they are joined by suitor
Prince Charlie in an epic quest to track down Grotte and cancel her evil
spell.
Highlights include a "Blind Date" sequence with the Dame as Cilla Black.
CAST 3 MALE 4 FEMALE 4 M/F PARTS
Major: Princess Melody (PG), King Willy, Queen Dilly, Prince
Rupert, Prince William, Nurse Merryweather (Dame), Count Basil, Prince
Charlie (PB), Grotte the Grim (witch).
Minor: Fairy Nuff, Mouldy and Skull (Grotte's comical sidekicks),
Meg the Mystic.
4 main sets; production notes inc FX and musical numbers suggested.
SET PIECES
Schoolroom and nursery scenes
Haunted cave scene
"Blind Date" scene
"Cool dude" scene
SCRIPT EXTRACT
For a sample of the script, click here. WWP
Details of Stramash - a Highland Fantasy
New for 1999 - fresh from Dave's pen. A wholly original story with a
setting in the Scottish Highlands that is guaranteed to delight all lovers
of panto.
PLOT RESUME
Billy Butler and his dog Haggis are hillwalking one day when they stumble across the
ruins of an old abandoned village called Stramash. Given the chance of
visiting the old village by Nutmeg, a passing gnome, Billy is transported back in
time to 1850, and finds the villagers in the midst of a local election.
One of the candidates is the Laird of Stramash, Sir Dick d'Astard-Leigh, a nasty
piece of work, and when he is defeated by shopkeeper Donald McDonald, he vows
vengeance.
The village rents are promptly doubled, and the villagers' only recourse is to approach
the Laird directly. New Provost McDonald, plus his daughter Flora, Billy Butler
and Dame Mairi Gould, are detailed to go to Stramash Castle to protest.
The only thing is... Stramash Castle is rumoured to be haunted!
The scene is set for an extended sequence of comic horror and special effects
that will have the audience gripping their seats in suspense and their sides with laughter
as the goodies take on the rascally Laird and seek to thwart his evil schemes!
Other highlights include a hilarious picnic on the Bonny Banks of Lochnagar which rouses a certain Beastie from the Loch's depths....
CAST 4 MALE 3 FEMALE 4 M/F PARTS
Major: Billy Butler (PB), Nutmeg the Gnome, Donald MacDonald
(Provost), Mairi Gould (Dame), Flora McDonald (PG), Sir Dick d'Astard-Leigh
(Laird), Butt and Ben (Laird's henchmen).
Minor: Haggis (dog), Hamish & Morag (village children), Supermutt
(dog).
3 main sets; production notes inc FX and musical numbers suggested.
SET PIECES
A mock election
A Loch Ness Monster sequence
An extended haunted castle scene which is a riot of special FX and comic
invention.
SCRIPT EXTRACT
For a sample of the script, click here. WWP