Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Babes in Toyland

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Joined: 9/21/05
Location: United States
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Topic: Babes in Toyland
Posted: 9/21/05 at 3:27pm

Has anyone done this show before? We are doing it around Thanksgiving time and I have never even seen it performed. Any input would be great.

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Kathy S
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Posted: 10/02/05 at 11:47pm

Have you ever seen the old Disney version of Babes In Toyland with Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon? That is one place to start.

I suspect that the play was probably originally an English pantomime play (a genre that we are not familiar with in the states but quite a concept-- a Christmas tradition in UK -- like a cross between nursery rhymes done by Monte Python and the old melodrama or vaudeville house) and so you could go that direction with it I think (with Mother Goose -- the Dame -- played by a man in drag and the "principal boy" being played by a girl in tights). But I have to admit, I've never seen a live production or even read the script. Just a wild idea.

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Gaafa
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Posted: 10/03/05 at 1:50am

Your probably right Kathy!
I remember as a wee kid doing Panto, Toyland was featured in a lot of them!
There is heaps of free scripts around you can adapt to include your local area & flavours.
With the Widow Twanky, Buttons, Principal boy, Barron Hardup & "He?s behind you!"

Give Panto a go Kathy - you would make it a hit!

Joe

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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Topper
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Joined: 1/27/05
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Posted: 10/03/05 at 6:28pm

Laurel and Hardy did a version of "Babes In Toyland"
in 1934 based on the Victor Herbert operetta. It can
sometimes be found under the title "March of the
Wooden Soldiers."

Even if you're not an "L&H" fan, this film is worth the
rental.

"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

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Author	Message
Podium Walk-On Joined: 9/21/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Babes in Toyland Posted: 9/21/05 at 3:27pm
	Has anyone done this show before? We are doing it around Thanksgiving time and I have never even seen it performed. Any input would be great.

	IP Logged

Kathy S Celebrity Joined: 8/21/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 303	Posted: 10/02/05 at 11:47pm
	Have you ever seen the old Disney version of Babes In Toyland with Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon? That is one place to start. I suspect that the play was probably originally an English pantomime play (a genre that we are not familiar with in the states but quite a concept-- a Christmas tradition in UK -- like a cross between nursery rhymes done by Monte Python and the old melodrama or vaudeville house) and so you could go that direction with it I think (with Mother Goose -- the Dame -- played by a man in drag and the "principal boy" being played by a girl in tights). But I have to admit, I've never seen a live production or even read the script. Just a wild idea.
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 10/03/05 at 1:50am
	Your probably right Kathy! I remember as a wee kid doing Panto, Toyland was featured in a lot of them! There is heaps of free scripts around you can adapt to include your local area & flavours. With the Widow Twanky, Buttons, Principal boy, Barron Hardup & "He?s behind you!" Give Panto a go Kathy - you would make it a hit! Joe
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
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Topper Celebrity Joined: 1/27/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 543	Posted: 10/03/05 at 6:28pm
	Laurel and Hardy did a version of "Babes In Toyland" in 1934 based on the Victor Herbert operetta. It can sometimes be found under the title "March of the Wooden Soldiers." Even if you're not an "L&H" fan, this film is worth the rental.
	"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
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Topic: Babes in Toyland( Topic Closed)