Quiet Please

By Valerie Warwick

A one act, humorous comedy, suitable for High School Students and Adults.

Quiet Please takes the audience on an enjoyable trip to a normally uneventful suburban library which suddenly takes on a fast moving sequence of events due to the arrival of many different characters. A Frenchman set on creating a gastronomic feast, a nurse who recalls a fatal mistaken identity. There’s a Texan tycoon with his bossy wife, an irate mother, an undercover detective, and a horticulturist with a combustible tree. Menacing bikies and innocent joggers all become involved in a comical climax which proves to be just too much for the two elderly, somewhat behind the times, librarians.

Notes for Directors/Drama Teachers: The first performance of Quiet Please won a prize in an Eisteddfod and is ideal as a festival or competition piece.   The seventeen characters offer great diversity, allowing the actors to build strong, exaggerated and contrasting personalities.  For this reason, the play is ideal as a workshop for drama or English students.  It offers excellent exposure to characterisation and can be used as a unit on role play.

RRP A$24.00 (Excl GST)

 

SWITCH OFF THE LIGHT SO I CAN SEE

By Valerie Warwick

A very versatile and amusing comedy piece that can be presented as a one act play, or three totally separate skits.

The Play:

An announcement on the news turns a quiet evening in front of the telly into a night of confusion, suspicion, and comical mayhem. Bill, quite convinced their ironing lady is a wanted criminal on the TV, takes steps to catch her in the act.  Unfortunately, the tables are turned and HE is the one that ends up in a very embarrassing situation. The skits are presented in the play as three separate TV programs

The Three Skits: Solve My Problem: A TV show hosted by celebrity Oprah Sinfree and a panel of experts. 
The Six O'clock News: A comical take-off of the TV news, followed by a very unpredictable weather forecast.  This is Your Wife: A program looking at how well husbands know their wives. Three quite different skits providing the opportunity to develop characters with humour.

RRP A$24.00 (Excl GST)

 

 

 

Christmas Eve in the Old Nursery

By Valerie Warwick

Christmas Eve in the Old Nursery is an exciting, colourful and humorous musical offering several different dance sequences and choral pieces suitable for varying talents and age groups.  The cast can vary from 40 to 70 to 100 plus.

His recording is both captivating and enchanting.

Christmas Eve in the Old Nursery includes script, lyrics, stage diagram, prop list and sound cues.

Remember the Magic?

Remember the ‘magic’ of a childhood Christmas? How the excitement and anticipation grew as the tree and decorations were put up? How the very sight of tinsel, glittering crepe paper and Christmas crackers was so thrilling?

Valerie Warwick has captured the essence of a happy childhood Christmas in this delightful musical. The parade of the Tin Soldiers, the Wood Nymphs ballet, the comical Pixies, the majestic Princess of Wonderland and all her Fairies, Witches and Magical Folk from Toyland; all will linger in the memory long after the curtain comes to a close.

This delightful musical, which runs for approximately an hour an a half with interval, is suitable for children of varying talents and ages, allowing for a cast of 40 – 70 – 100 plus. Christmas Eve in the Old Nursery, with its magical music, provides an exciting, humorous, colourful and nostalgic production that will absolutely delight both young and old. Re-live the magic!

SYNOPSIS

Flickering lanterns and Carol Singers set the mood with the opening number ‘Ring the Bells’.

It is Christmas Eve, Katie and Tim (aged approximately 10 and 12) stand admiring their tree. Tim asks his Mother if she believes in magic, to which she adamantly replies “No dear, I don’t”. But - when they all go off to bed, the Old Nursery takes on a magical glow as one by one the toys co

me alive. Teddy Bear, Jack-In-The-Box, Tooth Fairy and Rag Doll have invited some very special guests and so the party begins.

They witness the Fairies from the bottom of the garden dancing with their colourful, flowing ribbon wands. They welcome the Toy Maker and his stiff- limbed Dolls who come to life with the turn of a key. They laugh at the endless jokes provided by the mischievous Pixies and share the Majorette’s pride as she presents a military display by her gallant Tin Soldiers. They are mesmerised by the music of the Wood Nymph’s enchanting ballet, when ……

The sudden arrival of the Wicked Witch, Trainee Witch and Puss Cat threatens the festivities of the night, until the Princess of Wonderland convinces them that a good life will bring them more happiness. When Santa Claus hears the Witches have changed their evil ways, he arrives to share in the celebrations. With the realisation that the merrymaking has taken them well past midnight, the Princess of Wonderland uses her magic powers to whisk them all back to Toyland, but …… in their hasty retreat, several articles are left behind.

 

Christmas morning Tim, Katie and Mum enter the Old Nursery and are surprised and curious at finding these articles. But when Dad takes Mum aside and makes her close her eyes and use her imagination – she suddenly becomes aware that …… there IS such a thing as magic! As she opens her eyes she experiences the wondrous parade as the Folk from Toyland return to the Old Nursery for the Grand Finale.

Characters Katie Tim Teddy bear Jack in the box Tooth fairy Rag doll Princess of wonderland Wicked witch Trainee witch Puss cat Mum Roly poly Puddy pie Toymaker Majorette Dad Santa claus Carol singers  Fairies  Dolls  Tin soldiers Wood nymphs

Soundtrack Listing 1 Overture 1:06 2 Ring The Bells (Song) 1:58 3 'Tinkling' Sound FX :08 4 Christmas Is A Happy Time (Song) 1:06 5 Fairies Entrance 1:26 6 Ribbon Dance 1:08 7 Fanfare/Grand Processional 1:30 8 Pixies Entrance :47 9 Dolls Wind-up/Dance 2:26 10 Tin Soldiers March 1:35 11 Wood Nymphs Entrance/Dance 1:35 12 'Thunder' Sound FX :11 13 'Sleigh Bells' Sound FX Coming/Going :11 14 'Sleigh Bells' Sound FX Arriving :11 15 Jingle Bells Ring (Song) 1:57 16 'Tingling' Sound FX :32 17 Repeat – Jingle Bells Ring (Song) 1:57 18 Overture repeat 1:06

17 main characters, a minimum of 8 fairies, 17 or more pixies, plus any number of cast members for the chorus and various dance troupes.

Script plus full CD backing and sound effects track $95.00 (Excl GST)

 

 

10 SKITS FOR YOUNGER PERFORMERS

Authors: Valerie Warwick and Richard Stevens

These versatile Skits are suitable across a wide range of ages and offer a wonderful mixture of humour, magic, morals and fun, some include music and dance sequences. Performance times run from 5 to 20 minutes and cast numbers are flexible. The 10 Skits may be presented together to make up a full 2 hour show with interval. Skits may also be used as class pieces.

SYNOPSIS:

1. KIDS COURT (Approximately 8 – 10 minutes)

A courtroom scene presided over by Judge, Mr. Dan Druff, Prosecutor, Defence Lawyer, Clerk and Jury. Charges are brought against Timothy Tuppence who is accused of scrumping apples. The hearing is interrupted by various members of the jury, who eventually cause havoc leading to an early dismissal of the case.

 

2. INGLENOOK FOREST (Approximately 12 minutes)

Emily goes to sleep and wakes up in a forest full of talking trees. They tell her that she has been called upon to free them from the pine forest as they are only small fruit trees. On awaking, she learns that her family had actually been for a walk in a forest and came across a small orchard of fruit trees. The trees are then liberated to live and grow happily in Emily’s garden.

 

3. THE SLEEPY FOLK OF ZELLO (Approximately 12 minutes)

A shooting star dropped magic dust upon the people of Zello sending them into a long, deep sleep. Many years later another falling star sprinkled magical dust that broke the spell and woke up the angel of happiness who awoke the folk from the sleepy village of Zello. Dance and creative movement piece with narration.

 

4. MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER PERSON (Approximately 6 – 8 minutes)

A woman stands ironing whilst she talks to the audience about the man in her life, her significant other person. She describes him with great pride. She builds up a picture of this strong man of the law, a person of authority and power. Ted eventually appears, ready to leave for duty, and she proudly hands him his Stop/Go sign.

 

5. THE DISAPPEARING OCEANS (Approximately 20 minutes)

King Neptune appears to two young children who are building sandcastles on the beach. He shows them the wonders of the sea, introducing a dance by colourful fish in an underwater scene. He goes on to explain what will happen if man continues to pollute the seas.

 

6. THE LOOBWEEPS TEA PARTY (Approximately 15 minutes with poems)

(For the very young) The Queen of the Loobweeps holds a tea party for special guests, Lady Penelope Pineapple and Lord Rupert Rhubarb. Two groups, the Weepkins and the Loobkins entertain their guests with nursery rhymes. They end their afternoon with a huge cake.

 

7. RAPPIN WITH THE A B C (Approximately 4 - 5 minutes per group)

(Music and movement sequence for the very young) Thirteen children enter, each carrying a cut out letter of the alphabet. To a rap beat, one by one each child presents their letter accompanied by movement and rhyme. The first of the thirteen then reverses their cut out and proceeds with their second letter, followed by the others children until Z is reached. They finish with a chorus and a choreographed rap dance.

 

8. IT’S UP TO EVERY ONE OF US (Approximately 15 minutes)

Two different families visit the same picnic area, the first abusing the environment and showing what not to do. A second family arrives and see the devastation caused by the lack of care, and leave the area. The first family appear again but this time they demonstrate awareness of the environment. The second family reappear, see the changes and stay to enjoy their picnic.

 

9. THE PATCHWORK QUILT (Approximately 15 minutes)

Grandmother is sitting in an old rocking chair working on a large patchwork quilt. She is joined by her grandson who asks about the pieces of material she is sewing. With each piece she recalls memories from her childhood, which are enacted, as flashbacks, by various groups.

 

10. FAIR DINKUM (Approximately 5 minutes)

An Australian outback scene: Children around a camp fire at dusk. They listen to the local stockman who introduces them to various colloquialisms and explains their meanings, and how the various Australian sayings came into being.

 

RRP A$39.00* (Excl GST)

* Purchase price included performance rights

 

 

20 CHARACTER RECITALS FOR YOUNGER PERFORMERS

Authors: Valerie Warwick and Richard Stevens

This wonderful new collection of Character Recitals is for children 6 to 15 years and is ideal for Eisteddfods and school presentations.  It includes ‘Tips to help memorise your drama work’.  Boys and girls will have great fun taking on the various roles that run for approximately 2 / 3 minutes.

Boys and girls will have great fun taking on the various roles that run for approximately 3 minutes. The Mighty Mackenzie, A Witch with a Secret, Pete and the Flying Pineapple, Dressing Up, The Horseback Rider, No Fun being a Brother, Mrs Candy, The Dreamer, The Tightrope Walker, Fairies in my Garden, I’m a Nomenclaturist, The Real Speed Ace, Bye, Bye Butterfly, Assistant Vet for the Day, Old Father/Mother Time, The Clown, Occupation Policemen, Possum Peach, I’m just a Typical Boy and The Vain Fairy. The Character Recitals are ideal for eisteddfods, examinations, concerts and as program fillers.

RRP A$39.00* (Excl GST)

* Purchase price included performance rights

MONSTERS GALORE

Author: Trevor Salter

Adapted for stage by Valerie Warwick

Monsters Galore is a marvellous introduction to the performing arts for little children. The simple story is read by a narrator as the children perform the various roles. Being ‘Mask and Mime’ there is no script to be learnt by the little ones. The book contains templates for the monster masks which the children may colour and create in class. This is a wonderful, energetic and easy production to present, and has proved an absolute delight to parents, teachers and students.

For many children it often seems easier to perform to an audience from behind a mask. The mask in no way appears to inhibit the extraverted children, but it does afford the introverted child that extra bit of space they may require, making it helpful as well as fun. Scenery and props are minimal. The cast wear pyjamas so costume is simple. It is an extremely easy production to present with maximum results. This work is a very good introduction to the performing arts for the very young. The story line tells of comical monsters that visit a bedroom at night to hold their party under the beds of Kate and Ben.

This wonderful, energetic little play has been very successful in schools, and was presented at the Marburg Literary Festival, by Prep classes from Hatton Vale State Primary School.

A fun way for little people to explore and enjoy creative movement and a delightful way to become acquainted with drama.

RR Price A$24.00 (Excl GST)

POEMS TO PONDER

Authors: Valerie Warwick and Richard Stevens

This book was written in response to a request from an educational book supplier for poems that address values and beliefs. Two questions are posed at the end of each poem, in order to stimulate discussion on the content and message within the written words.

The 24 poems are placed in 5 categories – Values and Attitude, Environmental, Choral Verse, Humorous and Joys of life. The first section would be of interest to teachers of religious instruction.

FROM PAGE TO STAGE

Author: Jeremy Green

This book has delighted drama teachers and performers alike. Many of the poems have won awards at Eisteddfods and various drama competitions. Jeremy Green captures the funny side of family life and frames it in verse.

Jeremy Green’s poems have received many accolades and this book is enhanced by wonderful illustrations from Judy Campbell. Many of the poems can be used as monologues, duologues or group.

RR Price A$29.00 (Excl GST)

PERFORMANCE POETRY:

PREP - A CLASS ACT - A teacher resource for the early years of learning

The book allows teachers to plan their lessons using the Early Years Learning Statements at the end of each Unit. Prep – A Class Act has the potential to provide the fundamental skills so essential to success at school. The Units cover activities in: Vocal and Physical Warm-Ups, Mask and Mime, Improvisation, Articulation, Role Play, Body Language/Facial Expression/Gesture/Attitude, Creative Movement, Stance/Vocal Expression/Presentation, and Group Communication.

There is also a Chapter on Concerts and Performances plus an Anthology of 30 new nursery rhymes and poems.

Early Childhood Australia

"The activities in Prep – A Class Act leap off the page as being tried and true. Very few of the activities need anything more than space and children. Prep and Kindy teachers will love Prep-A Class Act but they should be sure to share it with the Year One and Two teachers. This is NOT, thank goodness, a book about polishing performance, it is about playing, acting, having fun … all the while developing awesome oral language skills, confidence and self-esteem and ticking boxes for Early Years Learning Statements which are helpfully cross-referenced in each chapter for teacher planning. Thank you Valerie!

 

Mathilda Element

Media Reviewer for the Early Childhood Teachers Association

Educating Young Children – The ECTA Journal

 

There is no doubt that involvement in the Arts arouses passions and touches emotions in ways that few other activities are able. Is there any wonder? What other activities ask participants to stretch their imaginations in such a way, to explore little used parts of their brains so much or to apply their life experiences in such meaningful but creative ways? This is why involvement in the Arts, be it drama, music, dance or the visual arts, is such an essential part of a proper and well balanced education. It is life!

 

A colleague of mine who is a choir conductor tells a wonderful story about a young boy who came from an unfortunate family situation but absolutely loved his involvement in choir. At the end of the year he wrote a brief card of thanks to his beloved teacher. It concluded with the words, “……..Thanks for being the only family I ever had”. This is why students love being involved in the Arts and why teachers like us keep doing what we do! May this publication inspire you and those about you in your dramatic pursuits and, in turn, to a deeper experience of life.

 

Peter Ingram

 

Throughout my working life as a Speech & Drama teacher I have experienced and witnessed the development of confidence in the communication process with people of all ages through participation in

activities involved in the teaching of Speech & Drama.

 

I have a firm belief and commitment to the commencement of this process in young children as the skills acquired assist them not only throughout their formative years, both socially and educationally, they

also assist in adult life as effective communication is the basic building block on which all relationships are based. A seemingly simple activity such as mime requires the child to develop concentration skills, to utilise their powers of observation and imagination, to sequence ideas and to creatively, confidently and

imaginatively use space and their body to tell a story.

 

Creative movement, as well as being immensely enjoyable and fun for children, helps to create a confidence with mind/body/space/time that once established cannot be easily destroyed. Improvisation and role play allows children to free their emotions, to “take on” different characters and roles within a supportive and safe environment. This “expansion” of self allows children to “try out” various

roles and real life situations (always relevant to their age and understanding) which reinforces their confidence in the communication process. As well, these activities also enhance the development of

vocabulary in all students. They also assist in a more confident, spontaneous articulation of thoughts and ideas and place children in an environment where their thoughts and ideas are valued by their

listeners/observers.

 

The most important aspects of effective communication are the ability to listen and provide meaningful feedback, to code the message in language that is clearly understood by the listener, to present the

message with clarity making full use of vocal aspects, including moderation of pitch, pace, pause and projection, while at the same time engaging the listener by supporting the message with appropriate

gesture, eye contact, body language and use of space.

 

It is my firm belief, supported by years of teaching, that Speech and Drama is a very effective tool in acquiring these skills. 

 

Pamela Greatorix

 

 

RRP A$50 (Excl GST)

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