Jack the Lad - A Musical Celebration
by David Wood, Dave Arthur, Toni Arthur

Name: Jack the Lad - A Musical Celebration
Brand: David Wood
SKU: 9780573018015

Jack the Lad - A Musical Celebration Cover

Jack the Lad - A Musical Celebration Book Cover — Jack the Lad - A Musical Celebration Cover

Highlights

Medium Cast

Female

Male

Greek/Roman/Biblical Roles for Children Exterior Set Period Costumes Comedy

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 Licensing

Synopsis

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	Gender	Age	Description
Nelson Jack's son, 50-ish	—	—	Jack's son, 50-ish
Maria Jack's daughter-in-law, Nelson's wife, 40-ish	female	—	Jack's daughter-in-law, Nelson's wife, 40-ish
Zeldy Jack's granddaughter, Nelson and Maria's daughter, 20-ish	female	—	Jack's granddaughter, Nelson and Maria's daughter, 20-ish
Rose Jack's daughter, 40s	female	40s	Jack's daughter, 40s
Tom Jack's son-in-law, Rose's husband, 40s	male	40s	Jack's son-in-law, Rose's husband, 40s
Young Jack Jack's grandson, Rose and Tom's son, 20s	—	20s	Jack's grandson, Rose and Tom's son, 20s
Frank Jack's grandson, Rose and Tom's son, 20s	—	20s	Jack's grandson, Rose and Tom's son, 20s
Reuben Jack's sister Alice's son, mid-30s	female	30s	Jack's sister Alice's son, mid-30s
Betsy Reuben's wife, mid-30s	female	30s	Reuben's wife, mid-30s
Darren, Charlotte, Jason Reuben and Betsy's young children	—	—	Reuben and Betsy's young children
Bess Nelson's lurcher dog	—	—	Nelson's lurcher dog
Jack 80 year old family elder	—	—	80 year old family elder