Between 1973 and 1980 Peter Pinne and Don Battye wrote a series of delightful musicals for children  which premiered at the Alexander Theatre Monash University in Melbourne. They have since become classic and  revived all over the world. Each includes great humour and ‘a terrific compendium of hummable, entertaining theatre songs’  (Jim Murphy, record Reviewer - Melbourne Age)    All Musical accompaniment is available on superb CD backing .t THE LITTLE TIN SOLDIER “A bright, stylish and wholesome children’s musicals” - Sunday Press. “..enchanting...full of fun, heroism and wickedness”  - The Sun. Set in Toyland, this children’s musical tells the story of a tin soldier and his adventures after he is tossed out of a window into a gutter by a wicked goblin. He goes down to the sea in a paper boat, sinks to the bottom of the ocean, and is swallowed by a fish before he ends up back with friends in Toyland, Cast:  The Little Tin Soldier, Ballerina, Green goblin, Mark (A Young boy), Cook/Queen Neptune, Bear/Water Rate/King Neptune, Ballet (Tin soldiers, ballerinas, Coral Society) THE  EMPEROR’S NEW  CLOTHES “A light agreeable pantomime with soft rock accompaniment” - Melbourne Age. “It pleased the young audience no end... terrific" - Melbourne Sun. The Emperor commissions a couple of con men to make clothes for him, and ends up parading through the streets in his royal knickers, having been tricked into believing in invisible clothes.   Includes many delightful songs. “ Show  me something that has spangles Or with buttons, beads and bangles, Maybe ribbon is the key. what I want is something terribly, terribly me.  Lots of frilly frilly flounces, That will hide by many ounces, Extra Weight we shouldn’t see. What I want is something terribly terribly me. Cast:   Emperor, Fred, Madame, Frederik, Wheeler, Dealer, PM Daughter,  Urchin,   ( Chorus : people in court and on the street) JACK AND THE BEANSTALK “has wit, slapstick comedy and enough catchy tunes to have the audience singing and laughing along with the cast” - Sun “ a catchy happy show.. One of the sunniest things around these holidays” The traditional story written as a pantomime, complete with a dame, a fortune teller and a cow that cries. Cast:  Jack,  Mayor Greedy, Dame Misery/Vegetable, Acrobat/Minie, Vegetable, Giant’s wife/Minie, Sarah/Minie   Royalty:  B. Plus rental of superb CD Backing track SHOEMAKER and His Elves By making happy shoes that make people dance, the Elves help an impoverished shoemaker recaptrue the shoe business from the evil, richest woman in town. "... a lot of fun... delightful children's entertainment." (Michele Whalen, The Sun) "... plenty of catchy tunes, a nice clear storyline, loads of colour, and several engaging characters." (Sally White, The Age) "... a brilliant children's musical." (Toorak Times) Characters : Slipper, Elves, Silver Sequin, Jingles, Mr Buckle, Carolinda, Lord Lopside, Dame Squeaky, Nasty Neville, King Jolly RUMPELSTILTSKIN A gnome helps the miller's daughter spin straw into gold, but in return demands she give him her first child when she becomes Princess. She thwarts the promise by guessing the gnome's name. "full of original and very listenable, clappable words and music." (Listener In TV) "...clever, well-done and delightful." (Michele Whalen, The Sun) "one of its catchy songs spoke for the entire play "Everybody Had A Good Time." This is enchantment." (Michael Ryan, The Age) Characters: Rumpelstiltskin, Gretchen, Aunty Flora Dora, King Grump, Prince Helmut, Snuffle/Knight/Maid/Merry Man BILLABONG BILL A swaggie helps the bush animals when their billabong becomes polluted by the Useless Chemical Company. "Catchy tunes." (Sally White, The Age) "... songs and story line simple enough to appeal to a wide age group." (Roger Sanders, The Sun) "Excellent fare for children." (Knox & Mountain District Free Press) Characters : Billabong Bill, Professor, Mitch - a minor Mitchell Cockatoo, Big Red, Nurse Manna. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Plot: When the handsome Prince is turned into a beast by a wicked witch, he is restored to his normal self by the love of the most beautiful girl in the land. Critics: "... a deft musical comedy... this show sparkles." The Age "... one of their best shows ever." Mary Lord, The Australian "... an enjoyable and energetic show." The Herald Cast: Beauty, Witch, Prince/Beast, Right-Hand Man, Father, Chorus (optional) IT HAPPENED IN TANJABLANCA More details here. About the Writers: Peter Pinne and Don Battye have had substantial careers in television production. They had an international hit when they penned the theme song to the TV series Sons and Daughters. Currently Don is a script writer for the TV series Neighbours, while Peter has his own successful Miami based recording company Bayview - which newly records and reissues shows to music theatre buyers.  Their other music theatre credits include Prisoner Cell Block H the Musical and Caroline. To sample the best songs from all their shows, order All the Colours of the Rainbow from www.middle8.com