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The Ideal Gnome Expedition

David Wood

Two garden gnomes venture into the big, wide world to find a holiday island one like the Big Ones go to. Unused to the hazzards of town, they have some near catastrophic experiences and, even though nothing turns out as expected, they agree that it was the best of holidays.

The Ideal Gnome Expedition

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Summary

After rescuing a toy duck from the dustbin in their backyard, Mr. Fisher and Mr. Wheeler, two temporarily nomadic garden gnomes, decide to venture over the garden wall into the big wide world. Their object is to find a holiday island, just like the ‘Big Ones’, but being unused to the hazards of the concrete jungle of the town, they almost don’t make it. Until they meet Chips, that is.

Chips is a very cool cat, and with his help the gnomes and Baby Duck survive several urban adventures before reaching their island in the sun. Although it is not quite as expected (a traffic island!), they all agree that it is the best holiday they have ever had. In the end, however, they return to their backyard, taking the homeless chips with them, and, happy and content, they agree that there’s no
place like home!

History
Produced by Whirligig Theatre at Sadler’s Wells, London and on tour in the autumn of 1981

Media

“…worked like a charm … David Wood has surely scored again; his latest musical play for children is yet another gently entertaining excursion into a fantasy world where eminently sensible values prevail.”
Daily Telegraph

“…a good lively story with colourful characters, loads of participation and a worthwhile message painlessly put over… by the time the gnomes get home, they have instilled in their young audience a few lessons on crossing the road safely, looking after pets, and how exciting life can be…
David Wood writes children’s plays of real quality.”
Bristol Evening Post

“… a truly original show … the kids loved every minute of it.” Daily Mail “David Wood knows exactly how to capture a child’s imagination and his production at the Gardner Centre, Sussex University, once again employs the technique of tiny imaginary characters against a ‘giant’ sized world.
              It is a technique which appeals instantly to children.”
Sussex Express

“… real young people’s entertainment, setting out to stimulate and hold the youngsters’ interest in exactly the same way as an adult show.” Oxford Mail “The young ones’ cries of delight fill the theatre; they all seem to get the message, leaving us with a warm glow.”
The Stage

Videos

  • Interview with David Wood youtube thumbnail

    Interview with David Wood

  • 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

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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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