Belle Starr, space traveller and universal doer
of good deeds, solves the environmental problems of a planet not too dissimilar
to our own in this one-hour musical drama. First production 1992.Commissioned by Coppice High School, Wolverhampton, and first performed in 1990, this is a 20-minute re-examination of the nativity story, told by a detective on the case of this "Mystery". Subsequently produced at various schools.
A musical anthology of stories from across the world told by stranded rail passengers. First produced in 1991.
Belle Starr, space traveller and universal doer
of good deeds, solves the environmental problems of a planet not too dissimilar
to our own in this one-hour musical drama. First production 1992.
(photo courtesy of St Edmund's School, Wolverhampton)
It's 2007 and the local football team are in
Europe at last. Loyal supporter Geoff, missing produced gormless, finds
himself stuck in the middle of a civil war in the company of two opposing
armies, a circus and and the biggest baby you ever saw in your life - who also
happens to be grey and possessed of a trunk ... First production of this musical
play in 1992.
(photo courtesy of Coppice High School, Wolverhampton)
Commissioned to mark the millennium of St Peter's Church, Wolverhampton, this was a contemporary adaptation of the traditional mummers' play.
This adaptation of Shakespeare's Scottish tragedy, with original music by Darryl Prew, was first performed in 1996.
Originally commissioned by Aston Manor School in
1996, this is another anthology of world stories told by a group of lost
travellers sheltering in the wagon of a mysterious showman. The original
production involved designs by Birmingham artist Lucy Redhead, who also took
this photograph. Subsequent productions have involved students in touring
local primary schools.
(photo courtesy of Lucy Redhead)
A free musical adaptation of the medieval morality play Everyman. Music for the original production was written by Darryl Prew. Local school teacher Esmeralda Braithwaite, gets some extremely bad news - and is amazed that none of her friends want to go with her on a long and definitely one-way journey. First produced in 1997.
Partly drawn from the Breton story project I’d been working on, Standing Stones was an anthology of stories from around the world – Brittany, America, India and Africa – aimed at reflecting both the universal nature of storytelling and the multi-traditional composition of the school. The project took a week, from 1st read-through to performance, and involved 60 students aged 12-14 from the school: 20 actors, 20 designers and 20 musicians. Coordinated by Chris Rowley, Head of Drama at Aston Manor, Standing Stones also involved musician/composer Andy Derrick and artist Lucy Redhead. The final product was a blend of drama, storytelling, music and mask work, which was presented at the end of the week in front of local primary schools, parents and other students from Aston Manor. Thanks to the bilingual talents of several of the actors, we were further able to celebrate the cultural diversity of the school by presenting the last story in both English and Bengali. First production June 2000. This script is also being produced in Wolverhampton in 2002.
This modern free adaptation of Shakespeare's A
Midsummer Night's Dream was commissioned by St Edmund's School and
performed by Year 8 pupils in July 2000 under the direction of Mia Clark.
Original music was composed by Darryl Prew.
(photograph courtesy of St Edmund's School)
Belle Starr (who originally appeared in Belle, Balance and Bakhu-Sahn) returns to sort out a problem of disappearing ships and planes in a musical play based loosely on Shakespeare's The Tempest. Another commission from St Edmund's School, Wolverhampton, and with original music by Darryl Prew, Berduma Quadrangle was first performed in June 2001.
All of the above scripts are available for production by schools and youth drama groups. I'm also available for original script commissions. Contact me for more information.
John received a number of script commissions in 2004/05. Read about them.