By John Watson, David Cocker, Clyde Collins, Mark Jones and Lance Strauss Based on the novels by Moore Raymond which became classic Australian movies starring Chips Rafferty and Ruth Cracknell. Smiley is a larrikin kid who lives in an outback town in the late 1940’s ravaged by drought.  Smiley’s pranks get him into all sorts of amusing scarpes with the local Policeman – but he’s forced to grow up in a hurry when he’s caught in a bushfore. Background The novel by Moore Raymond " Smiley" was published in 1945 and " Smiley Gets a Gun" published in 1947 by Sylvan Press. Both novels were made into motion pictures by English Director Anthony Kimmins in the 1950's starring Chips Rafferty as Police Sergeant Flaxman along side a plethora of Australian stars including Gordon Chater, Ruth Cracknell, Charles " Bud" Tingwell, Margaret Christensen, Reg Lye, John McCullem, Leonard Teal and introducing Colin Petersen, who went on to be the drummer with the Bee Gees, as Smiley. The Story Set in the late 1940's, the characters and events of this moral fable epitomize those small town values that prevailed prior to the immense social changes effected by post war migration. The parched earth, the imminent threat of bushfire and the brooding expectation of an end to the drought contrasts against the almost palpable, unrelenting optimism that pervades the narrative as it unfolds in and around the outback community of Murrumbilla. At the Sunday School Break-up Picnic we meet the town's personalities, most notably Smiley, an irrepressible larrikin kid with a spontaneous zest for life, who regularly creates havoc by determining to give anything a go! His on-going conflicts with Mrs Gaspen, the self appointed pillar of local society, are most often arbitrated by Police Sergeant Flaxman who, like most residents, tolerates Smiley's impulsive enthusiasm for the whimsical because of the inevitably humorous consequences. In such a harsh environment laughter is a valuable contribution to the rough, homespun texture of daily life. Smiley's father is away droving and, when he is in town, spends most of his time at Rankin's Hotel. His mother is faced with raising Smiley single-handed. She works long and hard to do the best she can, and, as events evolve, comes to rely on the support that the townspeople are able to offer. When Smiley's obsession with owning a bicycle is thwarted by the unexpected return of his father, he is confronted with a complexity of challenges. All eyes watch to see if this " menace to society" has the grit to act responsibly and unselfishly. The Music... The musical includes Clyde Collins' hit of 1956 " A Little Boy Called Smiley" and thirteen original songs from contemporary composers David Cocker, Mark Jones and Lance Strauss that range through bush folk, 40's swing, country blues to romantic and pop ballads and more! The show evokes classic images including a picnic under shady river gums, a bush shack, the country pub, the general store and turns on a bush fire and the breaking of the drought. World Premiere Writer lyricist John Watson was delighted when " Smiley - the musical" was chosen to be presented as the centre piece of 10th anniversary celebrations at the Redcliffe Entertainment Centre in 1992. This initial production continues to hold the box office record at that venue and the show soon after went on to have a second season at the Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton where it repeated its box office and critical success. A Studio Cast Recording was completed in 2004 and is available by contacting David Spicer david@davidspicer.com Cast: 16M 14F and chorus.  Orch: Large available     Royalty B