Jack the Lad - A Musical Celebration
by David Wood, Dave Arthur, Toni Arthur
Highlights
Why we like it
"Join an exuberant celebration of British culture and music through this lively musical showcasing the spirit of camaraderie."
From: Jukebox Musicals for LicensingSynopsis
Following the success of their collaboration on Robin Hood, David Wood and Dave and Toni Arthur wrote Jack the Lad, a musical celebration of Jack, the ubiquitous hero or everyman of English legend, myth and folklore - from Little Jack Horner, through Jack and the Beanstalk to Spring Heeled Jack, the Terror of London.
The setting is a gypsy encampment, where a series of Jack tales and songs are performed by the gypsies to celebrate the 80th birthday of their senior member - affectionately known as Jack the Lad.
The play, therefore, depicts contemporary gypsy life, as well as traditional gypsy customs and superstitions, and is a delightful amalgam of the traditional arts of storytelling, singing and dancing, with a mumming play, a shadow-mime and puppetry also employed within the main framework.
Press Reviews
"…this marvellous show is a comic strip with music… for those who like the hand-clapping, foot-tapping, sing-a-long type of theatre it is a must… and that theatrical rarity these days – solid entertainment for ALL the family. … the whole mood is carried on outside the theatre and in the auditorium with fortune-tellers, hedgehog crisps, candy floss and fiddle players galore giving the whole theatre a showground feel… it is hard to imagine anyone not liking this vibrant and refreshing treat."
— Oldham Evening Chronicle
"…a highly unusual musical… with colourful music, lots of dancing and movement it all adds up to a very pleasant and unsophisticated entertainment which might well provide a first-class Christmas show."
— The Stage
Characters
| Character |
|---|
Nelson Jack's son, 50-ish |
Maria Jack's daughter-in-law, Nelson's wife, 40-ish |
Zeldy Jack's granddaughter, Nelson and Maria's daughter, 20-ish |
Rose Jack's daughter, 40s |
Tom Jack's son-in-law, Rose's husband, 40s |
Young Jack Jack's grandson, Rose and Tom's son, 20s |
Frank Jack's grandson, Rose and Tom's son, 20s |
Reuben Jack's sister Alice's son, mid-30s |
Betsy Reuben's wife, mid-30s |
Darren, Charlotte, Jason Reuben and Betsy's young children |
Bess Nelson's lurcher dog |
Jack 80 year old family elder |
Videos
David Wood on Doing It Yourself
Publication
Jack the Lad - A Musical Celebration is a comedy play written by David Wood and published by Samuel French in London (1991).
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Buy Play
Paperback
Samuel French · 1991 · 46 pp
From £10.99 total
Performance Rights
Restrictions: Major Markets Only (US) / Standard Restriction (UK)
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