y separately published work icon The Shoemaker and the Elves : A Musical for Children single work   musical theatre   children's  
Note: Book and lyrics by Don Battye, music and lyrics by Peter Pinne.
Issue Details: First known date: 1974... 1974 The Shoemaker and the Elves : A Musical for Children
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

Set in a variety of imaginary locations, including Elfland, a shoemaker's shop, King Jolly's throne room, Silver Sequin's Shop, a town street and a Big Country Shoehouse, the musical involves a large cast of actors, a number of which can be played by children. The central characters are: Slipper (Head Elf), Silver Sequin (the evil richest lady in town), Mr Buckle (a shoemaker), Carolinda (His daughter), Jingles (a good apprentice shoemaker), Lord Lopside, Dame Squeaky, Nasty Neville (Silver Sequin's Henchman), King Jolly and a host of elves.

The story revolves around a Shoemaker of the Year Award, sponsored by King Jolly. Silver Sequin means to win the prize, by any means possible, so that she can have the opportunity to wrap the king around her little finger, and also have all the knights grovel at her feet. The only person standing in her way is the kindly Mr Buckle. His shoes have recently started to become better than hers... but when Sequin finds out that he is not making them she wants to find out who is. Even Mr Buckle doesn't know. Apparently all he does is cut the leather and leave it out overnight. Next morning beautiful shoes have been made. When Sequin hides herself in Mr Buckles' shop she finds out that the shoemakers are elves, and that it is Slipper who holds the key to their magic. She kidnaps the head elf and starts to plan her victory. Meanwhile Mr Buckle and the other elves must find the skill and self confidence to make a pair of winning shoes without the help of magic. The elves learn that even magic is no substitute for trying with all of your might to do your best. Mr Buckle, too, learns that he is a much better shoemaker than he thought, and wins the award on his own merits. Even Sequin learns a lesson, and becomes a better person for it.

The songs originally written for the show were : 'We Are There' (Slipper and Elves), 'It's Not Much Fun' (Buckle and Carolinda), 'Work' (Slipper and Elves), 'Happy Shoes' (Lord Lopside, Mr Buckle, Carolinda and Jingles), 'By Appointment to His Majesty the King' (Sequin and Jingles), 'Happy Shoe Tap' (Elves), 'Every Week I Come To Town' (Dame Squeaky), 'Without Him' (Elves), 'Papa' (Carolinda), 'We're Going To Search' (Elves, Mr Buckle, Carolinda and Jingles) and 'You'll Never Get Anywhere Unless You Try' (Slipper, Mr Buckle and Elves).

Notes

  • Although The Shoemaker and the Elves was completed in 1974 the first production known to have been staged was by the Brisbane Arts Theatre company in 1980.

Production Details

  • 1980 : Arts Theatre, Brisbane ; no details. Dir. Eric Hauff.

  • This entry has been sourced from on-going historical research into Australian-written music theatre being conducted by Dr Clay Djubal.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

First known date: 1974
      1974 .
      Extent: 50 leavesp.
      Description: Typescript (photocopy) ; music not included.

      Holdings

      Held at: University of Queensland University of Queensland Library Fryer Library
      Local Id: H1371
      ca. 2002 .
      Extent: 141 leavesp.
      Description: 1 score (spiral binding)
      Note/s:
      • For voice and piano.
      • Contents are : 1. 'We are There' ; 2. 'It's Not Much Fun' ; 3. 'Work' ; 4. 'Happy Shoes' ; 5. 'Silver' ; 6. 'By Appointment to His Majesty the King' ; 7. 'Happy Shoes Tap' ; 8. 'Ev'ry Week I Come to Town' ; 9. 'What is She Up to Now?' ; 10. 'Happy Shoes' (Reprise - Last scene Act 1) ; 11. 'Work' (Reprise - Finale Act 1) ; 12. 'Without Him' ; 13. 'Papa' ; 14. 'We're Going to Search' ; 15. 'Nasty Neville' ; 16. 'We're Going to Search' (Reprise) ; 17. 'Great Big Country Shoehouse' ; 18. 'You'll Never Get Anywhere Unless You Try' ; 19. 'Processional' ; 20. 'Happy Shoes' (King and Silver - reprise) ; 21. 'We Are There' (Reprise) ; 22. Finale.

      Holdings

      Held at: National Library of Australia
      Local Id: 3822507 MUS Pinne Collection-Shoemaker/1
Last amended 26 Jun 2008 14:14:46
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