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Babes in the Magic Wood

The British master of children's theatre has adapted this enchanting fairytale into a lively stage adventure with charming, original songs. Babes In The Magic Wood has an original storyline, and does not resemble the usual pantomime versions. Widow Crockett and her babes, Simple Simon and Contrary Mary, run a toyshop, their biggest job being the making of toys for Father Christmas’s order.

Babes in the Magic Wood

Details

Summary
Babes In The Magic Wood has an original storyline, and does not resemble the usual pantomime versions. Widow Crockett and her babes, Simple Simon and Contrary Mary, run a toyshop, their biggest job being the making of toys for Father Christmas’s order.

One Christmas Eve they are very behind with their work and wish their Fairy Godmother could help. She appears and, under her spell, three magic toys, Jack-in-the-Box, Ragdoll and Clockwork Panda, finish the job while the Crockett family are asleep. Later the rascally robbers Pick and Nick see a chance, impersonating Father Christmas, to grab the toys for themselves. They are foiled, but much more perilous dangers follow. The Fairy Godmother turns out to be a wicked Superwitch, who almost makes a cauldron meal of the children in the Magic Wood.

After many adventures the children, aided by the magic toys, and a clever donkey, triumph. They find themselves back in the toyshop – and it was all a dream. But was it? The magic toys have the last word.

History
Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch in 1978

Media

“A fantastic confection of charm, wit and musical fun… the creation of another magic Wood – multi-talented writer David Wood.”
Romford Observer

“It’s got just about the lot … the script, by children’s show doyen, David Wood, has Widow Crockett and her ‘Babes’, Simple Simon and Contrary Mary making toys for Father Christmas. But this year the toys are stolen and so starts a chase through the Magic Wood and a host of adventures.”
Wythenshawe World

“Storywise it contains the author’s inventiveness … hilarious ... the youngsters in the audience love the three life-size toys which come alive – Jack-in-the-Box, the Ragdoll and, best of all, a very cuddly Panda.”
The Stage

Videos

  • David Wood on Doing It Yourself youtube thumbnail

    David Wood on Doing It Yourself

  • David Wood on Getting Started As a Playwright youtube thumbnail

    David Wood on Getting Started As a Playwright

  • David Wood on Challenges In His Plays youtube thumbnail

    David Wood on Challenges In His Plays

  • Interview with David Wood youtube thumbnail

    Interview with David Wood

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:

Authors

David Wood

David Wood has been called “the national children’s dramatist” (London Times). His plays are performed worldwide, and include The Gingerbread Man, The Plotters of Cabbage Patch Corner, Save the Human, Aladdin, Hijack Over Hygenia, Jack the Lad, Larry the Lamb in Toytown, Old ...

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