Bespoke Theatre for Diverse Communities
Orlando and The Three Graces
A Magical Christmas Story
Adapted from the book by Katherine Hale
About the Book
Kathleen Hale was a gifted young author and illustrator, personal assistant to Augustus John in the 1920’s and 30’s. They were influential members of an artistic group known as the ‘Bohemians’, – a movement considered by staider members of society to be completely crazy. Kathleen’s best known creations are still a series of children’s books featuring a big ginger pussycat called Orlando. Written as bedtime stories for Kathleen’s two sons, the books were mostly famed for her wonderful pictures of animals; (though realistically drawn, the animals are often unusually dressed……)
‘Orlando and the Three Graces’ (now sadly out of print) is the most original Christmas story book, full of fantastic characters, with a magical story line and peopled entirely with vividly imagined cat personalities! Her son and heir Nicholas Maclean read the draft of the play and gave a thoughtful response. He then gave permission for the new production, waiving the performing rights. He and his wife travelled from Bristol to see the show at the first performance for the opening of the new Theatre Peckham. They were delighted with the result
About the Play
0rlando, the Ghost Cats, and Grace
‘Orlando and the Three Graces’ Theatre Peckham Christmas 2016
“The whole show was fantastic – exactly what the theatre was designed for – kids were incredible, it looked great – and the music – who wrote the music? – it was brilliant.” Chris Styles and Paul Crosbie,Theatre Consultants, Charcoal Blue
Book, lyrics, and choreography by Teresa Early. Music by Roger Goslyn, Design by Ali Maclaurin, Costumes created by Dagmar Ehni. Lighting by Petr Vocka. Fatima the Carpet, Lion, and Dog Costumes by Malena Arcucci. Cat Family Portrait by Chris Evans. All Action Photos by Geraint Evans. Production Manager, Archivist and Set Build Stefan Budirahardjo.
Orlando and the Three Graces
Once there was a family who lived with their Mother and Father in a fine big house.It was a large family – as many as seven children. It’s the night before Christmas, and Mother and Father have gone to a grand Christmas party, leaving Martin and Melissa, the two older children, to put the little ones to bed. Those little girls don’t want to go to bed. They want to go to the party.
Little girls get very naughty. They stamp snd squeal and wail. Martin steals Manky the Cat, Isobel’s best toy and won’t give it back till they quiet down. Looks like the evening is spoiled.
Then clever Martin has a better idea. He starts to read from their new book about Orlando the cat, his wife Grace, and three kittens, Blanche, Pansy, and Tink. Soon the children are quiet and still, spellbound by the magic of the story.
Grace has made delicious mouse pies, fresh for Christmas tea. Tink, Pansy and Blanche are posing for their Christmas picture.
Orlando tells the children that they are to go shopping to buy presents, to Mr Cattermole’s Magic Shop. They will fly there on Fatima, their white Magic Carpet Cat.
Dad took Fatima the magic carpet and he and the kittens flew to the Magic Shop. Cockalrum the weather cock is complaining of the cold
Naughty Tink did not go into the shop to buy presents. He stayed out and played in the snow
Orlando, Pansy and Blanche bought lovely presents for everyone
Orlando gets a magic magnifying glass that puts spells on everything it shows. Tink gets a conjuring set, Pansy gets a ship in a bottle and Blanche gets a castle snow globe
But there is trouble in store. At the Magic Shop is a Bad Cat who plays naughty tricks with the presents. He puts a spell in one perfume spray and puts a cure for the spell in the other one
The Bad Cat puts the spell sprays in Tinks conjuring set
When he gets home Orlando shows mama what they have bought. The Christmas presents are full of magic. Orlandos magic magnifying glass makes everything that is small, like a toy, as big as real life
On Christmas Eve the kittens all go to sleep but in the morning there will be some strange surprises
Next morning Tink opens his conjuring set and takes out the magic sprays. But he is sad because he hasn’t chosen any presents for his family. He decides to give one of the magic sprays to his mama. But he can’t read the labels and he picks the one which is full of bad magic
Bad Cat tells the two copy cats he made to fly through the air and land right next to Grace
The copy cats fly off to cause trouble
Grace sprays herself with her new perfume
Grace doesn’t understand whats happening. She is happy with Tinks present
Orlando is terrified as he cannot tell which cat is his true beloved wife. The copy cats are nasty and are mean to the kittens. He has to think quickly about what he can do. This is bad magic from the Magic Shop. How can he break the spell
Orlando thinks hard. “I know” he says, “it’s Christmas time. Santa is the man to break the spell. We will take Fatima and fly off to Santas castle.” But soon Fatima is feeling the strain and Orlando guides her to the ground for a rest. “What shall we do? Fatima is too tired to fly.” Then he thinks of his magic magnifying glass
“Your boat Pansy, your boat”. Orlando magnifies Pansys little boat and they climb aboard and sail off. But a storm blows up and they run aground
A big dog comes and rescues them
They were lost. “Look look” says Pansy. “There are letters flying through the air. They are childrens letters to Santa. We will follow them until we get to Santas castle.”
As they near to Santa castle the copy cats become angry. They realise that they are going to disappear and they try to stop Grace from reaching Santas castle. But Grace is thinking of Orlando and her children and she is too strong for them
Orlando remembers Blanches snow globe of Santas castle and suddenly, there it is
Santa asks Tink ” why didn’t you read the label?” Tink says “I can’t read very well.” “Too busy playing” cries Blanche. “And too lazy to bother” says Pansy. Everyone sounds shocked.
“Well now you know what you should do” says Santa to Tink. “Learn to read!”
Everyone Jump for Joy!
All photos above by Geraint Lewis
Full scale musical for children and family audiences
Cast
Orlando – a Ginger Cat (Male) The Hero
Grace – a Tabby Cat (Female) His wife)
Their kittens: aged 9-11
Pansy a tortoiseshell girl kitten
Blanche a white girl kitten,
Tink a Black boy kitten
The Human Family
Martin aged 15-18
Marina a girl aged 14-16
Daphne aged 12-14
Sam boy aged 12-14
Toto boy aged 10
Isabelle girl aged 10-11
Annabelle girl aged 8
Bad Cats
Bad Magic Cat – Boy aged 12-14
The Ghost Graces – two girls aged 14+
Other Characters
Cockalarum a singing bird
Santa Claws a large white cat
(Other small part characters doubled from among the cast)
If you would like to perform Orlando and the Three Graces with your company, musical theatre society, or school, please email: productionshollyblue@gmail.com
Full script, backing tracks for complete show, vocal recordings for all songs, and original working designs are all available.
© Holly Blue Productions