STORY:  Beggars on the rat-infested London streets watch hungrily as Lord Snuff and Lady Merryjig flaunt themselves at King Charles II’s Restoration celebrations. But, as the Puritans predict, this will all lead to no good. Very soon afterwards the Great Fire and Plague indiscriminately claim their victims. With extracts from Samuel Pepys’ diary and a variety of songs and dances, this musical recalls the swinging 1660s.

Key Stages 1 – 3 (age 5 – 14) ; Duration approximately 1 hour ;  Cross Curricular Aspects include history, language, literature, religious education, citizenship, music, dance, drama, art and design

CAST:  to suit the number of performers available, the cast size is flexible with 25 to 30 evenly distributed speaking/singing parts and choruses ;  * = solo/small group singing part ;  ^ = solo/small group speaking part

Samuel Pepys^, Town Crier^, Mrs Pepys^, Jane^, King Charles II^, Queen Catherine, Lord Mayor^, Lord Snuff*^(a dandy), Lady Merryjig*^, Dr Dipsy-Doodle*^, Thomas Faryner*^, Baker's Maid, Ferryman*^, Oarsmen, Betsy Beggit*^, Polly Pincher*^, Katie Cockle*^, Billy Barrow*^, Farmer Field*^, Urchins, Mr and Mrs Worthy*^(Puritans), Worthy Children*^, Chief Rat^, Chief Flame^, Choruses – Aristocrats, Street People, Trades People, Puritans, Rats, Fleas, Flames  

SONGS:  eleven songs and dances explore a wide diversity of musical styles including Oriental, Ballad, Waltz, March, Rock and Tango. Click the buttons for sound and image files of a recent school performance.

play song 1 Pepys’ Show – Chorus
play song 2 The King Is Back – Aristocrats, Beggars, Puritans
play song 3 Dance Of The Rats And Fleas – Rats & Fleas
play song 4 I Ain’t Never ‘Ad A Barth In Me Life – Betsy Beggit
play song 5 Bring Out Your Dead – Chorus
play song 6 Doctor Dipsey-Doodle – Dr Dipsy-Doodle & Chorus
play song 7 Vagabond And Scallywag – Street People
play song 8 Dance of The Flames – Flames
play song 9 Merry Ferryman – Ferryman
play song 10 The Great Fire Of London – Chorus
play song 11 Has Anybody Seen Our House? – Puritans
play song 12 Followers Of Fashion – Lady Merryjig & Lord Snuff
play song 12 Old Betsy’s Back – All

 

STAGING MATERIALS: for details of the SCRIPT, SCORE and CD, PROJECT PACKS, the NECESSARY LICENCE and convenient ONE-STOP PERFORMANCE PACKS please click the red arrow on the right.