Musicals by Mark Wheeller

Wacky Soap - A Cautionary Tale.

Warning!
Some of the songs are so catchy a safe distance must be maintained at all times!!!Script and Lyrics: Mark Wheeller. Music: James Holmes
Duration: 40 minutes (Mini-Musical/concert);
80 minutes (musical),Download a sample of this script in Word format.Cast: 20-100!
Published by: dbda Pin Point, 1-2 Rosslyn Crescent, Harrow. HA1 2SB Tel: 0870 333 7771
Colour picture story book available (Colour Pictures: Geoffrey Greiggs)
email
Price: £5.95 for individual copies and £77.50 for sets of 15. There is a 10% discount if ordered direct from dbda.
Musical Score/Mini Musical version: £4:95
Amateur and professional rights available.

Wacky Soap is available (from dbda @ £6:95) as an illustrated storybook. The illustrations by Geoffrey Greiggs are fantastic as can be seen by the cover illustration reproduced here with kind permission of dbda. The storybook is a wonderful accompaniment to the play and will offer many ideas for costumes and settings if you are planning to produce the Musical. It is also an ideal way of introducing the Scheme of Work included in the full script.

Blackout - One Evacuee in Thousands.

Script: Mark Wheeller. Music: Mark Wheeller.
Lyrics: Lesley Griffiths; Nick Mason; Kevin Rimell; Mark & Rachel Wheeller; Steven Wyatt.
Duration: 90 minutes plus interval.Cast: 30-150. Age Range: 7-70+!Published by: SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. 15 Inglis Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3HU. Tel: 01206 540111. Fax 01206 766944. SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. deal with the performing rights associated with this musical.Price: Script £4:80; Score £11:00; Rehearsal Tape £9:00; Song Tape £7:00; from SchoolPlay Productions.Professional & Amateur Rights for this musical are availableAlthough this is published by a specifically School based publisher ... it would make an ideal choice of musical for a Society who might also choose to put on Oliver! or Annie. There are lots of parts for adults and children. The chorus should ideally be made up of a good (and large) mix of adults and children.Rachel's parents are determined that the war will not split their family up. After refusing to have her evacuated in 1939 they do so mid way through 1940. At first Rachel does not settle, but after the death of her mother in London during The Battle of Britain she becomes increasingly at home with her billets in Northamptonshire. When her father requests that she return she wants to stay where she feels at home.

"The cast of 80 or so had some wonderful material ... catchy songs with snappy lyrics, roof raising chorus's and a wonderful finale."
Mark Cook, Milton Keynes Gazette.

"The evocation of the period was so good that I spent the first act waiting for Vera Lynne's entrance."
Hugh David: Times Educational Supplement.

"I found the experience of putting Blackout on very moving. I still remember the effect that the final song had on me and many of the audience and cast. It proved to be a profoundly poignant ending to a deeply emotional evening; this was theatre at its best."
Tim Wood, (Director of Blackout (2000) at Markborough House School, Kent."We were profoundly moved by Blackout ... what a great play ... extraordinarily rich characterisations of the evacuees and their relationships ... the impossible choices for the parents ... it was magnificent!"
Conca Goyder (Parent at Marlborough House School).

THE MOST ABSURD XMAS MUSICAL IN THE WORLD ... EVER!

Winchester Youth Theatre

Script & Lyrics: Mark Wheeller, Lyndsey Adams, Michael Johnston & Stuart White. Music: James Holmes.Download a sample of this script in Word format.Duration: 90 minutes plus interval. Cast: large!!!Professional & amateur rights for this play/musical are availablePublished by: SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. 15 Inglis Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3HU. Tel: 01206 540111. Fax 01206 766944. SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. deal with the performing rights associated with this musical.Price: Script £5:40; Score £11:00; Rehearsal Cassette £9:00; Song Tape £7:00; Orchestrated Backing Track £11:00; from SchoolPlay Productions.WARNING! THIS MUSICAL IS ABSURD ... AND FRIGHTENINGLY FESTIVE!To the authors' delight, groups are choosing to present this play not only at Christmas time ... but as a particularly absurd Spring/Summer or Autumn production. Although this is published by a specifically School based publisher ... this would make an ideal choice of musical for a Society who might also choose to put on any lively Christmas Pantomime.Eat your heart our Ionesco! If you want a musical with a message ... don't consider this one!If you want an absurd alternative to your traditional Xmas Pantomime ... or hugely ALTERNATIVE Summer Show ... look no further than this!Santa fails to arrive one year in The Bower of Bliss. Why not? A shortage of carrots perhaps? Or is it because the central character is forbidden to play her music and whose parents want to disguise her as a cactus so that no-one can suspect her special gifts??? And where did that Pantomime cow come from?? Never fear it all ends remarkably happily. It is a bundle of laughs and includes a sackload of original songs. Who could possibly miss such a bizarre Xmas entertainment?!?Originally conceived as a Promenade production ... but would suit a variety of stages & groups.

No Place for A Girl

A Zigger Zagger for females (and males). An ideal large cast Youth Theatre/School Show!Script: Mark Wheeller.
Music & Lyrics: Brian Price.Duration: 90 minutes plus interval. (45 minutes each way!)Professional & amateur rights for this play/musical are availablePublished by: SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. 15 Inglis Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3HU. Tel: 01206 540111. Fax 01206 766944. SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. deal with the performing rights associated with this musical.(Musical) Script £5:40; Rehearsal Cassette £9:00; Song Cassette £7:00; Performance Backing Track £11:00, all from SchoolPlay Productions.This musical serves to remind us of the struggle faced by so many women, in such recent times, to play their chosen sport.A play telling the true life story of Wimbledon footballer Sarah Stanbury (Sedge) whose ambition it is to play Football (Soccer) for England. As a youngster her dad is delighted ... but her mum (not to mention the FA Officials) disapproves strongly!

Imaginative, exciting, tuneful and very funny ... the musical is about far more than football ... growing up, pursuing your dreams in the face of adversity, the temptations of teendom, sexual stereotyping, friendship, romance and family life."
John Hart: Scottish Times Educational Supplement.

King Arthur (all shook Up)

Music & Lyrics by Mark Wheeller. Duration: 15 minutes.Cast: The Bigger the Better!
Age Range: Key Stages 1-3.Published by: SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. 15 Inglis Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3HU. Tel: 01206 540111. Fax 01206 766944. SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. deal with the performing rights associated with this Mini-Musical.Price: For details please contact SchoolPlay Productions.Professional & Amateur Rights for this musical are availableThis comic Mini-Musical is suitable for use in either a concert or staged version. It re-tells the Sword in the Stone story in a lively, up to date manner. It was premiered at Western Middle School in Mitcham and is an ideal choice for a large chorus to sing (although there are a few solo parts). It is “sung through” in the tradition of Webber/Rice’s famous “Joseph” Musical. It is hoped that this will be the first in a series of (All Shook Up) Mini-Musicals … (ICARUS is already in the pipeline!) Schools, Operatic Groups (Youth Sections) and Gang Shows would all enjoy this entertaining new Mini-Musical.

	Wheellermusicals chart - March 2008 This chart gives Wheellerplay readers an opportunity to see the relative popularity of the plays/Musicals that Mark Wheeller has written. The "chart" is compiled on a points system taking into account number of performances/script sales, success in festivals, Amazon Chart. The age of each of the plays is also taken into account in determining the final chart position. The chart is updated on a quarterly basis.
	Titles	Points Total
1/	Wacky Soap (dbda 1999) - details	423
2/	Blackout (SP 1991) - details	171
3/	The Most Absurd Xmas Musical In The World… Ever! (SP 1998) - details	81
4/	No Place For A Girl (SP 1991) - details	39
5/	King Arthur - All Shook Up. (SP 2002) - details	38

Wacky Soap - A Cautionary Tale. Warning! Some of the songs are so catchy a safe distance must be maintained at all times!!!Script and Lyrics: Mark Wheeller. Music: James Holmes Duration: 40 minutes (Mini-Musical/concert); 80 minutes (musical),Download a sample of this script in Word format.Cast: 20-100! Published by: dbda Pin Point, 1-2 Rosslyn Crescent, Harrow. HA1 2SB Tel: 0870 333 7771 Colour picture story book available (Colour Pictures: Geoffrey Greiggs) email Price: £5.95 for individual copies and £77.50 for sets of 15. There is a 10% discount if ordered direct from dbda. Musical Score/Mini Musical version: £4:95 Amateur and professional rights available. Wacky Soap is available (from dbda @ £6:95) as an illustrated storybook. The illustrations by Geoffrey Greiggs are fantastic as can be seen by the cover illustration reproduced here with kind permission of dbda. The storybook is a wonderful accompaniment to the play and will offer many ideas for costumes and settings if you are planning to produce the Musical. It is also an ideal way of introducing the Scheme of Work included in the full script.
Wacky Soap is a Pythonesque allegorical tale set in the fictional Bower of Bliss. It makes a lively alternative to the traditional Pantomime. but could equally be presented at any time of year.The invention of Wacky Soap surprises the people of Bower of Bliss. While washing with it initially brings happiness and a wackly ability to present amazing elephant impressions, prolonged use washes limbs away and ultimately leads to complete dematerialisation!!!This lively musical provides fantastic comic opportunities for lead actors and lots to do for the "chorus". A CD of the songs with a backing track for groups without musicians is also available.
"A splendid vehicle for a company of players with opportunities for all. The action includes individual performance, movement, mime, choral speech, singing and dancing." Brian Sanders; Guild of Drama Adjudicators. (Mark Wheeller awarded Special Award at the One Act Drama Festival for writing the play.) "This bizarre story gave every member of the large and energetic cast an opportunity to shine with very polished ensemble work ... catchy songs ... the Bouncy Castle was just one of the many touches of visual humour in this fast, funny and thought provoking evening." Barbara Hart; Southern Evening Echo (Feb 2000) "Super tunes, catchy and rhythmical, excellent co-ordinated movement, charal speaking and singing, a first class production for for use by any group looking for a good story with a moral, exciting music and lots of fun." Ben Wright: NODA Southern News If you are interested in performing rights for this play please email Sophie@mbalit.co.uk
Blackout - One Evacuee in Thousands. Script: Mark Wheeller. Music: Mark Wheeller. Lyrics: Lesley Griffiths; Nick Mason; Kevin Rimell; Mark & Rachel Wheeller; Steven Wyatt. Duration: 90 minutes plus interval.Cast: 30-150. Age Range: 7-70+!Published by: SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. 15 Inglis Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3HU. Tel: 01206 540111. Fax 01206 766944. SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. deal with the performing rights associated with this musical.Price: Script £4:80; Score £11:00; Rehearsal Tape £9:00; Song Tape £7:00; from SchoolPlay Productions.Professional & Amateur Rights for this musical are availableAlthough this is published by a specifically School based publisher ... it would make an ideal choice of musical for a Society who might also choose to put on Oliver! or Annie. There are lots of parts for adults and children. The chorus should ideally be made up of a good (and large) mix of adults and children.Rachel's parents are determined that the war will not split their family up. After refusing to have her evacuated in 1939 they do so mid way through 1940. At first Rachel does not settle, but after the death of her mother in London during The Battle of Britain she becomes increasingly at home with her billets in Northamptonshire. When her father requests that she return she wants to stay where she feels at home. "The cast of 80 or so had some wonderful material ... catchy songs with snappy lyrics, roof raising chorus's and a wonderful finale." Mark Cook, Milton Keynes Gazette. "The evocation of the period was so good that I spent the first act waiting for Vera Lynne's entrance." Hugh David: Times Educational Supplement. "I found the experience of putting Blackout on very moving. I still remember the effect that the final song had on me and many of the audience and cast. It proved to be a profoundly poignant ending to a deeply emotional evening; this was theatre at its best." Tim Wood, (Director of Blackout (2000) at Markborough House School, Kent."We were profoundly moved by Blackout ... what a great play ... extraordinarily rich characterisations of the evacuees and their relationships ... the impossible choices for the parents ... it was magnificent!" Conca Goyder (Parent at Marlborough House School).
	THE MOST ABSURD XMAS MUSICAL IN THE WORLD ... EVER! Winchester Youth Theatre Script & Lyrics: Mark Wheeller, Lyndsey Adams, Michael Johnston & Stuart White. Music: James Holmes.Download a sample of this script in Word format.Duration: 90 minutes plus interval. Cast: large!!!Professional & amateur rights for this play/musical are availablePublished by: SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. 15 Inglis Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3HU. Tel: 01206 540111. Fax 01206 766944. SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. deal with the performing rights associated with this musical.Price: Script £5:40; Score £11:00; Rehearsal Cassette £9:00; Song Tape £7:00; Orchestrated Backing Track £11:00; from SchoolPlay Productions.WARNING! THIS MUSICAL IS ABSURD ... AND FRIGHTENINGLY FESTIVE!To the authors' delight, groups are choosing to present this play not only at Christmas time ... but as a particularly absurd Spring/Summer or Autumn production. Although this is published by a specifically School based publisher ... this would make an ideal choice of musical for a Society who might also choose to put on any lively Christmas Pantomime.Eat your heart our Ionesco! If you want a musical with a message ... don't consider this one!If you want an absurd alternative to your traditional Xmas Pantomime ... or hugely ALTERNATIVE Summer Show ... look no further than this!Santa fails to arrive one year in The Bower of Bliss. Why not? A shortage of carrots perhaps? Or is it because the central character is forbidden to play her music and whose parents want to disguise her as a cactus so that no-one can suspect her special gifts??? And where did that Pantomime cow come from?? Never fear it all ends remarkably happily. It is a bundle of laughs and includes a sackload of original songs. Who could possibly miss such a bizarre Xmas entertainment?!?Originally conceived as a Promenade production ... but would suit a variety of stages & groups.
No Place for A Girl A Zigger Zagger for females (and males). An ideal large cast Youth Theatre/School Show!Script: Mark Wheeller. Music & Lyrics: Brian Price.Duration: 90 minutes plus interval. (45 minutes each way!)Professional & amateur rights for this play/musical are availablePublished by: SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. 15 Inglis Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3HU. Tel: 01206 540111. Fax 01206 766944. SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. deal with the performing rights associated with this musical.(Musical) Script £5:40; Rehearsal Cassette £9:00; Song Cassette £7:00; Performance Backing Track £11:00, all from SchoolPlay Productions.This musical serves to remind us of the struggle faced by so many women, in such recent times, to play their chosen sport.A play telling the true life story of Wimbledon footballer Sarah Stanbury (Sedge) whose ambition it is to play Football (Soccer) for England. As a youngster her dad is delighted ... but her mum (not to mention the FA Officials) disapproves strongly! Imaginative, exciting, tuneful and very funny ... the musical is about far more than football ... growing up, pursuing your dreams in the face of adversity, the temptations of teendom, sexual stereotyping, friendship, romance and family life." John Hart: Scottish Times Educational Supplement.
	King Arthur (all shook Up) Music & Lyrics by Mark Wheeller. Duration: 15 minutes.Cast: The Bigger the Better! Age Range: Key Stages 1-3.Published by: SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. 15 Inglis Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3HU. Tel: 01206 540111. Fax 01206 766944. SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. deal with the performing rights associated with this Mini-Musical.Price: For details please contact SchoolPlay Productions.Professional & Amateur Rights for this musical are availableThis comic Mini-Musical is suitable for use in either a concert or staged version. It re-tells the Sword in the Stone story in a lively, up to date manner. It was premiered at Western Middle School in Mitcham and is an ideal choice for a large chorus to sing (although there are a few solo parts). It is “sung through” in the tradition of Webber/Rice’s famous “Joseph” Musical. It is hoped that this will be the first in a series of (All Shook Up) Mini-Musicals … (ICARUS is already in the pipeline!) Schools, Operatic Groups (Youth Sections) and Gang Shows would all enjoy this entertaining new Mini-Musical.
*Contacts:*	Mark Wheeller can be contacted by e-mail on: wheellerplays@googlemail.com Performing Rights: All enquiries regarding performing rights should, (before you begin rehearsals) be made to either : Sophie Gorell Barnes , M.B.A. Literary Agents Ltd. , 62 Grafton Way, London W1P 5LD Tel: 020 7387 2076. Fax: 020 7387 2042. E-mail: Sophie@mbalit.co.uk SchoolPlay Productions Ltd. 15 Inglis Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3HU. Tel: 01206 540111. Fax 01206 766944 E-mail: Schoolplay@inglis-house.demon.co.uk

Points Total

Wacky Soap (dbda 1999) - details

Wacky Soap - A Cautionary Tale.

Blackout - One Evacuee in Thousands.

THE MOST ABSURD XMAS MUSICAL IN THE WORLD ... EVER!

No Place for A Girl

King Arthur (all shook Up)