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Previous Guestbook Entries
2005 - 2011
 Leave me a message now...
As a result of this guestbook, over the last couple of years, I have been lucky enough to receive messages from all over the world.
This has brightened up my life no end!
When what is often a fairly hard grind at the desk turns into something that gives people pleasure performing and watching, the process doesn’t seem quite as lonely.
There are 401 guestbook entries in 17 pages and you are on page number 1
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Dear David,
I recently cleared some records and found The David Wood Songbook with the Allfarthing School Choir. I was a teacher at the school and worked with Pat Quarmby who taught music. Many of the children in the choir were in my class.
Finding the record has vividly brought back memories of your visits to the school and our taking the children to see the Gingerbread Man - I still often think of the Old Tea Bag who lived on the top shelf, even though I am now in my sixties! Perhaps she reminded me of someone!?
Anyway I am pleased to see that you are still going strong and still bringing much joy and many memories to newer generations.
Best wishes
Anne
Dear Anne,
Thank you for your message.
It was a real treat to be reminded of Allfarthing School Choir and the wonderful Pat Quarmby, who did such a wonderful job teaching, encouraging, praising and stretching the children. Chris Walker, the musical arranger/director with whom I was working on THE DAVID WOOD SONGBOOK, was really impressed by the quality and musicianship of the choir. We still meet and correspond occasionally, and Pat is always mentioned! I kept in touch with her and the lovely Bert, her piano-playing husband, for many years. She was a true inspiration.
Only last year, one of the girls in the choir contacted me via the website with happy memories of recording at Abbey Road Studios! I was able to send her a copy of the record - she had lost hers!
Another teacher I see often is Christine Leuw (Ball), whom, by coincidence, I had known since we were teenagers.
If you would like me to send you a cassette version of the SONGBOOK, feel free to ask! I'm afraid it is not on CD! But you can listen to the tracks in the SIGHTS AND SOUNDS section of the website.
I do hope you are happy and busy in your retirement. You are, I am sure, not an Old Bag! By another coincidence, yesterday I was on the telephone to the second actress ever to play the Old Teabag. She is now 81 years old! But I'm glad to say that the play is still very much alive, particularly in Germany. And I am currently talking to a West End theatre producer about a revival of THE GINGERBREAD MAN, which would be exciting.
All good wishes, and thank you so much for getting in touch.
David
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Comments by judith borick |
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Each year I produce a Musical for 150 children 5 to 11 years of age at Columba College in Dunedin. In the last 6 years I have used musicals by Sheila Wilson and Debbie Campbell. Could you advise me of a suitable musical lasting 45 to an hour duration.
Dear Judith,
Thanks for your message.
I can suggest two of my musicals for children to perform. First, DINOSAURS AND ALL THAT RUBBISH, based on the book by Michael Foreman. It has an environmental theme, and very enjoyable music by Peter Pontzen. Samuel French publish and license the play. I think Samuel French have agents in both Australia and New Zealand. But if there is a problem, try emailing Amanda Smith at the London office - amanda@samuelfrench-london.co.uk I'm sure she will be helpful. There are video clips of the original production in the SIGHTS AND SOUND section of my website!
THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER'S lunch would also fit the bill. Based on the book by Ronda and David Armitage, this musical play is published by Josef Weinberger, complete with helpful CDs of the music. Look on their website, www.josef.weinberger.com for more details.
Both plays employ a large number of children and have a running time of 45 - 60 minutes.
All good wishes, and good luck with your productions.
Best, David. |
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New Zealand
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Dear David, just a little note to say how much my family, friends and I enjoyed the recent performance of The BFG at the Derby Theatre. The actors and their puppets made it a great show, much fun was had by all. Well done. With regards, Hilary Blood.
Dear Hilary,
Thanks for your message.
Delighted that you all enjoyed THE BFG. So did I! I was delighted that it completed my Derby triple - SHAUN THE SHEEP, THE GO-BETWEEN and THE BFG!
All good wishes,
David. |
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United Kingdom
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Dear Mr Wood,
I am interested in your work- for my final year A Level Drama I devised a piece of children's storytelling and did a lot of research surrounding it including reading your book!
This year I am having a gap year at a school and am fortunate to be able to help direct three year 7 plays each between 20 and 30 minutes long each with a cast of between 15 and 20.
Would you be able to recommend any of the children's plays you have written and published as plays the children could perform? For example, would it work to have each class perform one of your short plays of The Witches or The Twits?
I would be interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks, and Happy New Year!
George
Dear George,
Thanks for your message.
It was great to hear that you are interested in theatre for children and storytelling!
Some of the plays in my Puffin book Roald Dahl adaptations would work well with your Year 7 group. THE WITCHES and THE TWITS are both worth a look, as are THE BFG and DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD. You will find that I have tried to offer opportunities for about 20 young people to act out the plays, or be puppeteers or narrators or musicians or stage managers. Some of the plays are short, some longer. All are based on familiar and popular episodes in the book. I think your group would enjoy doing them, and also get pleasure from performing them for the younger children in the school.
All the books are available in bookshops - you might have to order them - or on Amazon.
I do hope you find something you like. Lots of luck with the project! Enjoy your Gap Year, and all good wishes for the future.
Best, David. |
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Hi David,
Just been watching "If" for the umpteenth time (big fan of classic 60's films) and thought I would look your career up, I'm staggered how versatile you are...As a British motorcycle fanatic I love the scene in the film with the BSA.
You may be interested in the Gloucestershire screen online website which has then and now location shots from "If"...(if you haven't seen it already)
Anyhow, keep up the good work, and hope you are keeping well.
Alan Hesketh.
Dear Alan,
Thank you for your message. Delighted to hear you are an IF.... fan. It remains a very important part of my life, I'm glad to say. And, because Malcolm lives in America, and, sadly, Richard Warwick and Christine Noonan both died some years ago, I am often asked to introduce the film at special showings at the BFI and elsewhere. I even had a jolly trip to Jersey, where it was featuring in a Film Festival!
Thank you for telling me about the Gloucestershire Screen website, which I didn't know about, but have just looked at. Maybe I should send them a few memories! Although we were filming at Cheltenham College for 3 weeks or so, it was mainly for exterior shots, plus the interior of the Chapel. The school where many interiors was done was Aldenham, in Hertfordshire.
As for the motorcycle scene, it was quite terrifying! Malcolm had never driven a motor bike before, so had a few lessons on a much smaller pop-pop before having a go on the big one. It was the very last day of shooting, so they had their film, even if we were killed! We were on a public road! The bike was not taxed. Malcolm had no driving licence. We had no crash helmets! And Lindsay kept on telling Malcolm to drive faster! Peter Brayham, the stunt arranger, refused to take any responsibility for anything that might happen! I overheard him saying this to Michael Medwin, the producer, who looked a little worried, I'm pleased to say!
The shot with Christine standing between us on the bike is one of two or three shots I didn't take part in. There was a stunt double, in fact a young man who loved motor bikes, who stood in for me, because they thought it would be safer! But all the stuff going round the roundabout and arriving at the cafe was certainly me!
Thank you very much for writing.
All good wishes.
Yours
David |
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United Kingdom
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Mr Wood, I work with a local amateur theatre group in Somerset which features a burgeoning youth group. We are always looking for great pieces to integrate the youngsters with the adults. I am a particular fan of your work and would love to be able to direct a production of your version of Goodnight Mister Tom. Some years ago we spoke to Carlton TV to no avail. Do you have any plans to publish the script for amateur groups?
Kind regards
Ian
Dear Ian,
Thanks for your message.
Delighted you are interested in GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM. The play will be published and licensed by Samuel French Ltd, but it is unlikely that amateur performances will be allowed until 2013, because the play is - hopefully- scheduled to play in the West End next year, and possible tour again. Sorry if this delays your production, but at least you know that it will be available!
All good wishes,
David. |
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Comments by Richard porto |
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Aloha David,
I have been involved with this wonderful genre of theatre for over 35 years. I have a company here on the island of Kauai.....the Purple Striped Honu Theatre for Kids...(Honu are the endangered sea turtles). We bring our plays to the preschools....libraries.....and outdoor events.
We are currently touring with The Sleeping Giant.....the hawaiian legend of a mountain here on Kauai that looks like a sleeping giant. We are performing our play with puppets.....we dress in black and are visible to the kids.....and our puppets work the magic.
I was given your book for a Christmas gift....I started it last night and thought I would drop you a line.
Peforming for kids ages 3- 10 is the most amazing form of theatre. I have acted and directed every thing from Shakesphere to musical comedy....but my love is performing for kids. I will enjoy your book...check out our website..www.honutheatre.org.
Happy Holidays
Richard Porto
Dear Richard,
Thanks for your message. Delighted to hear about your company, and the kind of work you do. It all sounds excellent, and I understand absolutely your feeling that this kind of work is more satisfying and rewarding than anything else! I believe it is more difficult, too! More difficult than Shakespeare, musicals or farce. Keeping the attention of children and triggering their imaginations is so worthwhile.
Do hope you enjoy my book!
One of my plays - THE SELFISH SHELLFISH - is an environmental play that might well fit in with your work. It is about a rock pool which is about to be invaded by an oil slick. Most of the characters are shellfish, and the story shows how they manage to escape from a nasty end ...
Keep up the good work!
All good wishes.
David
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United States
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Dear Mr Wood, having taken my five kids more than once to see the Gingerbread Man a quater of a centurey ago, I would dearly love to take my granddaughters - but will it ever be on in London again?
Or is there a video or anything. It was magica for old and oung alike and I have never forgotten it!
Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you for your message.
THE GINGERBREAD MAN means a great deal to me, so I am delighted that you remember it with affection. Cameron Mackintosh and I presented it in London for many Christmas seasons, and the play has been seen worldwide - for which I am very grateful!
Maybe there is something in the air ... Your message has arrived at the very time when discussions are taking place about whether we can put on a new production of the play next year or the year after. A young producer has expressed interest in this idea, and I am very keen to encourage him!
Meanwhile, you may be interested to know that we made an animation series. There are 2 DVDs, available from Abbey Home Media - www.abbeyhomemedia.com.
There is also a cassette featuring Bernard Cribbins telling the story and the original Old Vic cast singing the songs. I will send you a separate e-mail about this.
Many years ago, Channel 4 filmed the stage show for television. Unfortunately this has never been made available as a video or DVD.
Please keep looking in the LATEST NEWS section of my website - hopefully we will be able to announce the return of THE GINGERBREAD MAN soon!
All good wishes.
David |
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Hello David,
I just wanted to say thank-you for adapting The BFG. I have the pleasure of playing the Head of the Army (and Sam and Bonecruncher, what fun!) in the The Dukes Lancaster production this Christmas. We run until the 7th January, if you happen to be in this neck of the woods (and what a fine woods it is!) I'd be delighted to arrange tickets for you. Thanks for giving so many actors and children such pleasure with your work.
All the best for 2012.
Mark Pearce
Dear Mark,
Thanks for your message.
Delighted to hear that you are enjoying yourself in THE BFG. It doesn't seem possible that 20 years has flown by since I adapted Roald Dahl's great book. All these years later, having adapted 7 more Dahl books, I still have a very soft spot for THE BFG, which I think is probably my favourite. There is something about this story of two misfits joining forces to become a strong team that warms the heart.
It is kind of you to offer to arrange tickets for me to see the Lancaster production. It may be possible, but not until the New Year. Fiddlers crossed.
All good wishes.
David
Please could you click on link below and vote for THE GO-BETWEEN as Best Regional Production in whatsonstage awards? Much appreciated!
http://awards.whatsonstage.com/1304?query=vote |
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Comments by Christopher Curlett |
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Hi David,
First of all i want to say a great big thank you for the information that you provided. It will come in very usefull. I also want to say that i have purchased your book in the past for someone else and i will will borrow it of them. Thank you for all the tips about the auditions, i graduate next year and hope to see you soon. You dont haveto show this on the guest book on your web page i just wanted to say thank you and didnt know how else to contact you.
Thanks
Chris
Dear Chris,
Many thanks for your kind message. Very pleased that my thoughts may help you. Very good luck for the rest of your course, and for your career after you graduate.
All the best,
David |
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Comments by Christopher Curlett |
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Hi there,
My name is Chris and I am currently a student at Leicester College of Performing Arts studying Musical Theatre. Next year in my final year we have to do a theatre project and i am interested in doing a 5 minute adaptation/short story of a childrens tale or book. Something i find very interesting.
I am also looking to audition for a show that you have written when i graduate maybe with the Birmingham Theatre Company or something like that. I have been a childrens entertainer and also done two touring pantos before comencing my training and i was wondering if you could..
1. Spare me a few tips of how to handle my project and
2. Maybe tell me what you are looking for in an actor when they audition for one of your productions.
I would appreciate any infomration that you could provide and i hope to hear from you in the future.
With great interest
Chris
Dear Chris,
Thanks for your message.
Delighted to hear that you are interested in working for children, and wish you well in your final year at Leicester.
I will try to give you a couple of ideas, but you will find answers to your questions in my book about children's theatre! I'm not asking you to buy a copy - it may well be in your college library. It is called THEATRE FOR CHILDREN: GUIDE TO WRITING, ADAPTING, DIRECTING AND ACTING, and is published by Faber.
For your project, I recommend that you make quite sure you know what the brief is. Who is this five minute adaptation or short story for? Is it for you to perform to children? Or is it to perform to your teachers? Ideally, you would be able to perform it for a number of children, with your examiners watching too. The point is, something for children, as you will realise, having been a children's entertainer, must take into account their reaction. They are really another character in your play or performance. Whether or not you use audience participation, they still have to be considered from the start. Is what you are doing clear enough? Will they understand?
You don't say whether you have to perform it on your own, or whether you can use fellow students as actors. Again, the style of presentation is very important. Don't make it patronising. Make it theatrical, maybe using physicality. Certainly don't just sit down and tell a story! 5 minutes is not very long, so maybe find a nursery rhyme or a short fairytale, and find an interesting, theatrical way of telling it. You may find it fun to do it in rhyme, which will give it economy, as well as a rhythm and, possibly, a humorous style.
Even if you are telling a familiar story, don't automatically assume that your young audience will know it already. Don't try to be too clever, by doing a comic 'take' on the story, rather than doing it for real. Make sure the audience understand ...
To answer your second question, what I am looking for in actors varies a lot from play to play. I may be looking for physical things - good movement skills, the ability to dance, a high energy level. Sometimes I might look for tall people, sometimes small people!
Very often I need people who can sing well, and speak clearly.
Most important is a quality that is hard to define, but is something to do with still retaining a child's sense of wonder. This manifests itself in truthful acting. I don't want people who will act with their tongues in their cheeks if called upon to play an animal, say, or to act out a fantasy situation. I'm looking for great communication, but not necessarily the commercial pantomime habit of almost winking at the audience, playing over the heads of the children towards the adults! It is also important to be able to give of your best in the morning, when many performances for children are given!
At the audition itself, don't assume that the director wants you to sing a children's song or do a speech from a children's play. Unless you are given specific instructions to do that, most directors would prefer you to do the same songs or speeches that you might do in an audition for an adult play.
Be prepared to do an improvisation. This might involve a mime, perhaps being an animal, or it might be an exercise in which you tell a story.
I wish you all the best for a rewarding and successful career.
Yours
David |
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Hello, I was just wondering if the performing rites are available for your "Goodnight Mr Tom" play?
If so how much would they cost, Its for a amateur production at a performing arts school... I really love the play and i think with some work we would be able to pull it off...
Thanks,
Lewis
Dear Lewis,
Thank you for your message. My adaptation of GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM will be published by Samuel French Ltd. in 2012 or 2013. The reason for the delay is that the successful professional production seen earlier this year is to be revived in 2012.
Samuel French will be handling the performing rights for amateur productions, but I have a feeling these rights won't be released for another couple of years, I'm afraid.
But I do hope you eventually are able to produce the play - I have always hoped it would be performed by schools.
All good wishes.
David |
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Comments by Helen Atherton |
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Hello David
My name is Helen Atherton and I am 37 years old. Tonight at dinner my mum, quite out of blue mentioned you, and how she had to find 'that tape' because she wanted my little boys to have as much pleasure from your songs as I and my sister had. The tape she was mentioning was The David Wood Song book so we searched and were delighted to find your site. She has just spent the last hour listening to your songs and remembering how kind you were in providing support for a version of the Owl and the Pussycat that her infant school children put on in the eighties. Alexander who is four took an instant like to chocolate children whereas If Only brought tears to my eyes. I see that you can still buy it on cassette but was wondering if you could get it on cd as it would give us all so much pleasure. Any help/advice you could give would be much appreciated. Many thanks Helen
Dear Helen,
Thank you for your lovely message. Apologies for the lateness of my reply, but things have been very busy recently, and the website has been having a few problems too!
It is always very rewarding to hear that people remember my plays and my songs. THE DAVID WOOD SONGBOOK was a project I really enjoyed doing. It allowed me the indulgence of singing my own songs! And it gave me the opportunity to record them at the famous Abbey Road Studios! Chris Walker, who had been the musical director of several of my shows, including THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT WENT TO SEE ... and THE GINGERBREAD MAN, wrote the musical arrangements, which were very inventive and quirky, and a successful record producer, Bob Barrett, agreed to lend his expertise. Last, but by no means least, a remarkable lady called Pat Quarmby, the music teacher at the All Farthing Primary School in Wandsworth, agreed to provide a children's choir. It was all a very happy experience.
There are still cassettes available, but so far it has not been possible to release it on CD. Your message has made me decide to think about this again! There is also a possibility that it may soon be possible to download the songs via I-Tunes. Meanwhile, it is, of course, possible to hear all the songs on my website.
Of course there is nothing to stop you, for your own personal use, transferring the cassette to a CD!
All good wishes to your mother and your family. I was also delighted to hear about your mother's production of OWL in her school.
All good wishes.
David |
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Comments by Matthew Krause |
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Dear Mr. Wood:
I have no questions, but wanted to say that I stumbled upon your site while doing research for my YouTube film review channel, since you are featured in one of my top 5 favorite films, Lindsay Anderson's "If ...." Looking over your site, I had no idea you had become such a Renaissance man. Your work is impressive and delightful!
Although most fans of "If ...." focus on Malcolm and Ms. Noonan, my best mate and I (a fellow "If ...." fan) have always asserted that it was the ensemble cast of the film that made it so special, particularly ALL THREE Crusaders, played by Malcolm, yourself, and Richard Warwick. When I think of the film, which I have watched countless times, I do not think of the most talked-about set pieces (the coffee shop sex scene, Mick's beating, the violent denouement) but of the charming yet chilling interactions between the three of you.
And although it has been almost 30 years since my best mate and I first watched "If ...." to this day, whenever coming up against a mediocre film or bit of music or even an arrogant artist or performer who fails to impress, we invariably slowly clap, my friend mimicking Malcolm, I mimicking you, and quip: "Jolly, jolly good, Stephens. Jolly, jolly good."
Yes, you are a meme within a quirky 30-year friendship that my friend and I have carried well into our late 40s.
It may be a cliche, but ... I love your work.
Matthew
Dear Matthew,
Thank you for your message, which gave me a lot of pleasure! I notice you are writing from America, and it is really rewarding to know that IF.... is still fondly remembered across the pond!
The film has obviously played a major role in my working life. Although it all happened over 40 years ago, I remember the experience in considerable detail, and am thinking of writing it all down one day, before it is too late!
Sadly, Richard Warwick and Christine Noonan both died some years ago - they left us far too soon. Malcolm and I met up a few years ago when the British Film Institute released a new print of the film. He is, as you probably know, living in America now.
It is pleasing to know that one of my speeches has become a catch phrase! 'Jolly, jolly good' indeed! Incidentally, it may come as a surprise when I tell you that the name you spelled as Stephens was in fact Stephans. I never quite understood why this somewhat exotic version of the name was used! Since IF...., I have been in a few more films, and done lots of television. But my life, as you can see from the website, has mainly revolved around the world of children's theatre, which has been extremely enjoyable and, hopefully, worthwhile. This year I seem to have been busier than ever, with four plays on tour simultaneously, plus the opening of my first grown-up musical for 35 years or more, adapted from LP Hartley's novel THE GO-BETWEEN.
Thanks for you kind words, and all good wishes to you and your friend - he one who plays Malcolm!
David |
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Dear Mr. Wood,
My partner and I took our 2-year-old son to see The Tiger Who Came To Tea last week at the Vaudeville Theatre, his first ever West End show, and he loved it. Of course, we bought the book right away, but since his birthday is coming up soon, I would love to get a CD and a poster of the show for his room. Do you know anyone we could contact about purchasing them? I’ve tried Dress Circle where I’ve bought other posters, as well as Ebay, but no luck.
Thank you very much for creating a play that delighted our son so much, and will make him enthusiastic about going to the theatre again.
Yours,
Ted Peterson
Dear Ted,
Thank you for your message.
Delighted to hear that your son enjoyed TIGER. There is what we call a postergramme of the show. This has a poster on the one side, and a programme on the other. It should have been available in the theatre when you came to see the play. However, can I suggest that you send an e-mail to Lucy Wood at Kenny Wax Ltd., the producers? I'm sure she will help you obtain one. Her e-mail address is lucy@kennywax.com. I wish I could give you good news regarding the CD. We made a CD, featuring the original cast, but, for copyright reasons, it has been impossible to release it. We are still trying to persuade the copyright holders to allow us to sell the CD in theatres, if not in shops. We have had several people enquiring, like yourself.
We will keep your details, and let you know if there is a positive development!
Meanwhile, thanks for your kind comments. We are told that the producers hope to bring TIGER back next year.
All good wishes.
David |
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United States
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Dear David,
Please can you refresh my memory! What was the programme you starred in with Brian Cant? I can remember a joke which Brian said "David Wood but Brian Cant" It's driving me nuts because I cannot remember it!! Many thanks
Kim
Dear Kim,
Delighted to hear that you remember PLAY AWAY, which is the name of the programme! It was a great pleasure and privilege to be part of the PLAY AWAY team. Brian Cant and Toni Arthur were the regular stars, and several of us joined to do the odd episode - Anita Dobson, Tony Robinson, Jeremy Irons to name a few! Happy days!
All good wishes.
David |
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Dear David,
I was just curious, have you written two versions of the BFG as a play or just one? There seem to be two out there. Thanks for the info I'm sure to enjoy them
Dear Hank,
Thanks for your message. The Samuel French playscript is the original version, which is performed by professional and community companies.
However, the Seattle version, as it is known, removes the children's party framing device. Personally I do not like this version as much, but it is available, again from Samuel French.
For Penguin/Puffin books I adapted my own adaptation of THE BFG into several playlets, which are appropriate for schools and youth groups, who do not wish to produce the whole play, and wish to do it more simply than the original. THE BFG: A SET OF PLAYS is published in the United States by Puffin, ISBN 978-0-14-240792-9. Performance rights still go through Samuel French Inc.
Hope this satisfactorily answers your query!
All good wishes.
David |
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United States
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Comments by Cheryl Mclawrence nee Branker |
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Wow! David Wood. I think I was your first Pepper in the Gingerbread Man many, many moons ago. Wonderful web site and congratulations on your many successes. Keep up the good work
Cheryl
Dear Cheryl,
What a splendid surprise! Great to hear from you. Do hope you are well and as busy as you would like to be!
I was listening to your voice only the other day! The cassette we made of THE GINGERBREAD MAN all those years ago is still a great record of the original cast singing the songs!
Having said that, I have to tell you that you were not the very first person to play Pepper! Pearly Gates played her a year before you, in the very first production at the Towngate Theatre, Basildon. Christmas 1976!
You were the first ever London Pepper, at the Old Vic, Christmas 1977!
I have often wondered where you were. Now I know!
THE GINGERBREAD MAN celebrates its 35th birthday this year! There are no celebratory productions in the UK, but there will be several in Germany, where the play is much more popular than it is here! As you may have seen in the LATEST NEWS section of the website, earlier this year there was a production in California. It has been remarkable how it has played all over the world, and has been very good to me! Much of its success is due to that very first Old Vic production, which was so well reviewed.
Thank you so much for your message - it was a really pleasing blast from the past!
All good wishes.
David
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Trinidad and Tobago
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Comments by Ingrid van Agtmael |
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Dear David, In the early-mid 1980s I went to see the Meg and Mog show, featuring Maureen Lipman, in Bristol with my two daughters and their school. We bought the cassette, which was listened to dozens of times but somehow got lost during a move (probably when cd's were starting to take over. However, I (a now 57 year old woman!) still frequently hum and sing bits of the songs. A month ago my first granddaughter was born and I have been looking on the internet to find a CD of the songs of the show. Does one even exist? I cannot imagine such wonderful songs are no longer available. I would really appreciate it if you could inform me of how and where I can get hold of a copy, old or new! I hope that the fact that a granny of nearly 60 is singing the songs she first heard nearly 30 years ago is taken as the compliment that is intended. With very best wishes and kindest regards, Ingrid van Agtmael
Dear Ingrid,
Thank you for your message. It was a real pleasure to read your memories of MEG AND MOG SHOW, which I too remember with great pleasure! My daughters loved the books and, when I found myself giving a talk at a librarians' conference, at which Jan Pienkowski was receiving an award, I grabbed the opportunity to meet him. We went back to London on the train together, and by the end of the journey I had acquired the stage rights of MEG AND MOG!
Then I persuaded Unicorn Theatre to commission the play, which I subsequently directed for them five times over a period of 10 years. It was great fun to do, and Maureen Lipman, whom I had known since we were teenagers, made a wonderful Meg. We were very lucky that she agreed to play the role. In fact, we have her daughter Amy (now a playwright) to thank - she was very young at the time and loved the books!
Your memory may be playing a slight trick! Maureen Lipman never played Meg in Bristol! The show may have toured there, or you may in fact have seen a production put on at the Redgrave Theatre by the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Two students alternated the title role - both of them had famous acting parents (Richard Briers and Jon Pertwee).
You can hear the songs by going back to my website and clicking on the SIGHTS AND SOUNDS section. Then click on MEG AND MOG SHOW. The list of songs comes up, and you can hear them one at a time.
Unfortunately the cassette is no longer available, but I will send you a separate e-mail in the hope that I might be able to help you ...
All good wishes.
Yours
David |
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Comments by Samantha Marsh |
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Hello David, The Owl and The Pussycat is one of my favourite stories. When I was little, the amateur dramatics group in a little village called Rangeworthy, near Bristol put on a production of it. My mum, very pregnant with my younger sister, was the head Jumblie girl. My dad was the pianist. My friend, her sister and I used to put on the vinyl soundtrack of your play with Harry Seacombe narrating, and act out all the parts. The Plum Pudding Flee was pretty scary to an 8 yr old!!
Now I am approaching 40, live in Canada and have 4 children of my own, I would so love to have a copy of this amazing play you produced. How do I do this...please can you help???
I listened to some of the music tonight and it was like being back in my friends sitting room, so nostalgic.
Thankyou for your brilliant work..Samantha Marsh
Dear Samantha,
Thanks for your message.
It is always very pleasing to hear nice comments about THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT WENT TO SEE ...! This was the first of my musical plays to really take off. Thanks to the reception it got, my future was probably mapped out for me - even though I didn't know it at the time! I just remember feeling, when watching performances of the play, that I had to really work hard to make the play popular - simply because I was so thrilled by the audience reaction.
The lovely thing is that, over 40 years later, there are still many amateur companies performing the play in village halls and in schools, just like the one that your mum and dad were involved with.
The play and the piano/vocal score are published by Samuel French, who operate in Canada - I'm sure if you Google them, you will quickly find their website. If you have any difficulty, let me know and I can organise something from this side of the pond!
The LP record, featuring Harry Secombe, is available on cassette, which I realise is almost as old fashioned as vinyl! I do have a few CDs too. I will send you a separate e-mail to give you more details.
Many thanks for sharing your memories of this play.
All good wishes.
David |
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Canada
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Just wanted to let you know how much my daughter and I enjoyed "The Tiger Who Came to Tea" at the Demontfort Hall Leics.
We went with her friend from Steps Conductive Education centre where a lot of the kids have Downs Syndrome (my daughter included ) Just a thought - because the Tiger does not "speak" in the play could he use makaton to communicate his needs /feelings ! Most of the gestures that were used are very close to the Makaton sign.
Thank you
Phillippa and Poppy
Dear Phillippa and Poppy,
Thank you for your message. So pleased to hear that you enjoyed THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA.
Very interested to read your comments about Makaton signing. I will certainly try to find out more about it, and see whether we might be able to incorporate elements of it in the play. Am very glad, however, that most of the gestures used were similar.
Thank you for such an interesting message.
All good wishes.
David |
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United Kingdom
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Hi David
My favourite book as a child was one that you wrote but unfortunatly I can not remember what it was called. I'd love to get it again so I can read it to my son. I'm sorry I'm abit vague but I remember it was like moles summer story but it was a kite that passed through the pages. Could you please tell me what it is called and is a copy available to purchase?
Thanks and best regards
Sarah
Dear Sarah,
Thanks for your message.
The book you refer to is MY KITE by Richard Fowler, published by Campbell Books in 1991. You might find a copy on Amazon!
Richard created the pop-through-the-slot idea and used it in several books before kindly allowing me to jump on his bandwagon! Together we did MOLE'S BEDTIME STORY, MOLE'S SUMMER STORY and MOLE'S WINTER STORY, as well as FUNNY BUNNY'S MAGIC SHOW and SILLY SPIDER.
I do hope you find a copy of MY KITE, and that your son enjoys it as much as you!
All good wishes,
David. |
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United Kingdom
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Hi David,
It is Emma Quintin here.
I hope that you are well?
I am not sure if you will remember me but I played Florrie and acted as Dance Captain on the Fimbles tour back in 2005/6 (whenever it was!!).
Anyway, I just wanted to say 'hi' as I am living in between the UAE and the UK and today saw your stage adpatation of George's Marvellous Medicine presented by the BSC where it is playing in Dubai.Absolutely phenomenal!!!
Much love,
Emma Q
Dear Emma,
Thanks for your message. Very good to hear from you! Fascinated to hear that you are living in between the UAE and the UK! Hope you are enjoying whatever you are doing. FIMBLES LIVE was a really enjoyable show - I look back on it with great pleasure. You and your fellow skin artistes were very clever and talented.
So pleased you saw GEORGE'S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE. I was delighted with the production when Birmingham first put it on nearly 2 years ago. It has been touring ever since! They are a splendid cast and Phil Clark directed the play really well - he brought out all the humour, but also the dark side. And we managed to get the audience really involved!
Thank you for taking the trouble to get in touch. All good luck for the future.
Best wishes.
David |
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United Arab Emirates
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Comments by Annie Chapman |
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Dear David Wood, I remember meeting you way back in London when you kindly allowed me to attend rehearsals for the fabulous "The Papertown Paperchase" in the 80s in order to help me write my dissertation study, "Children's Theatre". I obtained an honours degree in Creative Arts and now,almost 30 years later I am here settled in Tenerife where I teach Art at a British school and the occasional Drama class. I also have a very talented 13 year old son, Josh who is presently playing Danny Zuko in Grease through his local theatre school "Estrellas". I am writing to ask if you could recommend a musical play suitable for children aged approx. 7-15. Maybe one of your Dahl adaptations? "Estrellas" produces a musical every year and has a cast of very talented youngsters who and are keen to find something for next year.Past productions have included "The Little Shop of Horrors" and an adaption of Billy Elliot. If you have time to drop me a line I would really appreciate it.I am delighted to have discovered your Website and send you my best wishes and warmest regards. Annie Chapman
Dear Annie,
Thank you for your message. Delighted to hear from you after all these years. So glad to hear you are still active in children's arts! THE PAPERTOWN PAPERCHASE was fun - quite a big show!! It still gets performed by amateur companies.
My Dahl adaptations are not musicals, although JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH has opportunities for companies to create their own music to accompany songs, rhymes and action. I have seen youth theatre companies in San Diego and Chichester do it with large casts (70 in Chichester!!) and different musical styles including rap!
ROBIN HOOD is a folk musical that young people enjoy doing.
SAVE THE HUMAN is quite good for this agegroup, and has several songs.
For fantasy musicals try THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT WENT TO SEE.... and THE OLD MAN OF LOCHNAGAR. Both may be considered too young for this age group, but that would be a shame!
Check these out in the PLAYS section of the website.
HONK! is not mine, but it's great fun. A version of THE UGLY DUCKLING by Stiles and Drewe.
Do hope you find something!
All good wishes,
David. |
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