The Papertown Paperchase
by David Wood

Name: The Papertown Paperchase
Brand: David Wood
SKU: 9780573050329
Rating: 3.77 (90 reviews)

The Papertown Paperchase Book Cover — The Papertown Paperchase Cover

Highlights

Flexible Cast Size

Synopsis

The Salamander, a sort of dragon, is in trouble with the Fire Flies, because he is unable to create a fire by breathing on a pile of sticks.

To redeem himself he is sent on a mission to burn down Papertown.

The paper inhabitants, including the Papertown Crier (a newspaper), the Postman (an envelope), Professor Paperback (a book who runs the bookshop), Mr. Quid (a pound note who is the Bank Manager) and Lady Carrier Bag – gather their resources to meet the threat.

Spike the Pen (the litter collector), Fireman Silver, and even the cheeky Litterbug become involved, and the two petty criminals, Blotch and Carbon, are released to join the forces.

In the end, Salamander, who has fallen for timid little Tishoo, joins the paper people in thwarting the Fire Flies, and Papertown is saved from destruction.

Press Reviews

"…the moment the curtain went up to reveal an imaginative set swirling with smoke, the youngsters were captivated. If Steven Spielberg is the man with the magic films to entrance children into sitting still, then David Wood is ‘live’ theatre’s Spielberg…a winner."
— South Wales Evening Post

"…a roaring success…a play with a good deal of thought-provoking stuff in it…a brilliant theatrical confection, it simply doesn’t have a dull moment. Tip top entertainment."
— Liverpool Daily Post

"…one of Wood’s strongest texts. As with all his plays, the strength is not so much in richness of language, but in the storyline and crossroads with which he peppers the text…it is a neat moral maze, and all the better for that…exhilarating."
— The Guardian

"…an original and inspired plot to create a production which was not only entertaining but educational. From the moment the curtain rose, the young audience was fascinated by the tale of the Salamander banished from the land of fire for failing his fire-breathing test…lessons in the nuisance of scattering litter, the danger of fire and learning to settle problems without violence are cleverly hidden in the play, which is simple enough to capture the children’s imaginations without being patronising."
— Hull Daily Mail

"…packed with ideas…we are bombarded with novel ideas such as the waste paper basket being the Papertown prison, and the firemen being made of silver paper because that does not burn."
— Kentish Independent