Music Theatre
DAVID HAINES (composer / lyricist / librettist) ELAINE SCOTT (structural advice)
Written: 1995
Type of Show: For all ages
Duration: 120 mins
Cast: Minimum of 25-30 (at least 12 children), no upper limit (first production had cast of 60).
Musicians: Original production with piano accompaniment only, but would benefit from a band of a dozen or so.
Musical Style: Wide range of styles from ballad to modern opera - includes pop, rock, jazz, classical influences.
Productions: Joint production by Springtide Music Theatre and Gatehouse Youthspring, Dawlish 1996 . Production proposed in Cambridge Mass. in 2010
Summary of Story: When Donald falls from a tree, the Royals decide that a cripple won't do and arrange a secret swap. Ten years later, medical advances offer a cure. They wrench him from his Average Family who are thrown into turmoil by the revelations. In a tumultuous schoolroom finale, Marbella punches the Queen's nose and the resulting bloodied handkerchief not only reconciles a father and daughter, but empowers both princes.
Material available: Full Script / Mini-disk/ Tape / Synopsis / Vocal Score