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Hijack Over Hygenia

Short Play, Comedy  /  4w, 8m

David Wood, Peter Pontzen

Book, Music, and Lyrics by David Wood

Music arranged by Peter Pontzen

A delightful play with simple sets. Hygenia is the cleanest kingdom in the world. Disease is unknown. But one day a villainous measle enters illegally and starts bringing out the inhabitants in spots. It is all the plot of Doctor Spicknspan who - owing to the pervading healthiness - is always out of work.

Hijack Over Hygenia

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 8m
  • Duration
    Duration
    60 minutes (1 hour)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Theatre for Young Audiences
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Children (Age 6 - 10), Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary

A delightful play with simple sets. Hyjack Over Hygenia is set in an aeroplane interior, on a roof, in a throne room and in a bedroom. Hygenia is the cleanest kingdom in the world. Disease is unknown. But one day a villainous Measle enters illegally and starts bringing the inhabitants out in spots. It is all the plot of Dr. Spicknspan who, owing to the pervading healthiness, is always out of work. Things look serious, but the plot is foiled by the gallantry of the royal staff: peace, health and cleanliness are restored.

History
Commissioned by the Worcester Repertory Company, Hijack Over Hygenia was first produced at the Swan Theatre, Worcester for Christmas 1973-4.
Keywords
PILOT HARE – Of United Hareways
GADGET – Odd job man and part investigator, elderly, well-meaning, prone to mistakes, short-sighted
MEASLE – An unpleasant germ, looks like a cross between a mouse and a weasel
WEATHERVANE – Vain, revolting cockerel, superior though courageous
MEASLYGERM THREE – One of Measle’s disease-spreading colleagues
AERIAL – A TV aerial who dabbles in science
MEASLYGERM TWO
KING SPRING OF HYGENIA – Obsessed by the cleanliness of his Kingdom, pompous, cowardly, but respected.
QUEEN CLEAN OF HYGENIA – Fat, chocolate-loving bossy wife of King Spring
PRINCESS SPOTLESS – Plain, plaited, whiny, bespectacled daughter of the King and Queen
GRIME MINISTER – Highest official of the Government of Hygenia, carries an ornate broom as staff of office
MEASLYGERM ONE
STAINLESS, THE CAT – Made of stainless steel for bravery, but now terrified of the untoward because Hygenia is so clean there are no more mice or rats left.
THE COURT DUSTER – New recruit to the Palace team, supposed to tell clean jokes while polishing
AUNTIE SEPTIC – An elderly aerosol spray, devoted to her duty to keep everything germ-free
HARE STEWARDESS
DOCTOR SPICKNSPAN – Mid-European hygiene expert attached to the Court
MULTIPLE HAIR PLANE PASSENGERS

  • Time Period 1970s
  • Features Fantasy Costumes
  • Additional Features Play w/ Music
  • Duration 60 minutes (1 hour)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

REVIEWS

“…a roaring success” - Sunday Mercury

“…a masterpiece, as a full house of delighted children proved… I loved every minute of it – as packed with ingenuity as a Christmas pudding is with fruit.” - Worcester Evening News

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: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

David Wood

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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Author

Peter Pontzen

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