A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

Old Father Time

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  12any gender (youth)

David Wood

Book, Music, and Lyrics by David Wood

Old Father Time lives in Big Ben and makes sure things happen on time. One day the inconceivable happens: Big Ben stops! The action chases near and far through the centuries until a wicked sorceress helps restart the magnificent clock.…

Old Father Time

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    12any gender (youth)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Theatre for Young Audiences

Details

Summary
More a musical play for children than a pantomime, yet with lots of audience participation, Old Father Time is set in and around London and in various different centuries. The inconceivable happens when Big Ben stops! Old Father Time, who lives in Big Ben and controls time, realizes that he is locked in combat with the villainous Flying Sauceress, who manages to steal his almanac, containing the mystic secrets of his trade. The colourful storyline takes Old Father Times, his charlady, Mrs. Sparkle, and his Watchdog on a quest through time, involving cavemen, Guy Fawkes, a baby Dinosaur and Dodger and Bodger, a pair of buskers.
History
First presented at the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch in 1976, since when it has become popular with amateur companies and schools.
Cast Attributes

Minimum cast of 12 to play 30 roles

  • Additional Features Play w/ Music

Media

REVIEWS

“A hit with the kids…a passer-by hearing the deafening response of a packed audience might have been forgiven for thinking that here was a reception committee of weeny-boppers greeting the Osmonds.” - Romford Observer

“David Wood…has an uncanny knack of knowing what children will like...he’s written another winner…completely original storyline.” - Romford Recorder 

"…a roaring response.” - Irving Wardle, The Times

Videos

  • David Wood on Doing It Yourself youtube thumbnail

    David Wood on Doing It Yourself

  • David Wood on Getting Started As a Playwright youtube thumbnail

    David Wood on Getting Started As a Playwright

  • David Wood on Challenges In His Plays youtube thumbnail

    David Wood on Challenges In His Plays

  • Interview with David Wood youtube thumbnail

    Interview with David Wood

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

Scripts

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Authors

David Wood

David Wood

David Wood has been called “the national children’s dramatist” (London Times). His plays are performed worldwide, and include The Gingerbread Man, The Plotters of Cabbage Patch Corner, Save the Human, Aladdin, Hijack Over Hygenia, Jack the Lad, Larry the Lamb in Toytown, Old ...

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