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The Owl and the Pussycat Went to See …

A musical play. Book by Sheila Ruskin and David Wood. Music & lyrics by David Wood. Based on the verses and stories of Edward Lear.

Information

First produced by the Worcester Repertory Company at the Swan Theatre, Worcester for the Christmas 1968 season. Subsequently produced by most repertory companies in the UK, and many amateur companies and schools. Presented by WSG Productions Limited, the first London performances of the play were at the Jeannetta Cochrane Theatre or Christmas 1969. Many further Christmas West End season followed, as well as national tours produced by Cameron Mackintosh and David Wood, and Whirligig Theatre. There have been many foreign productions of the play. An LP recording of the show was released by Philips, featuring Harry Secombe, Roy Castle and Hattie Jacques.

Story

The Owl and the Pussycat set sail to find a ring and someone to marry them. They meet the Dong with the luminous nose, who is sad because he has lost his Jumbly Girl.

Dong takes Owl and Pussycat to meet the Quangle Wangle, whose beaver hat is a hotel. He takes them on a journey, accompanied by the Runcible Spoon to protect them from the villainous hungry Plum Pudding Flea.

Dong meets Professor Bosh and joins his Plum Pudding Flea hunt. The travellers have a rest but the Runcible Spoon sleepwalks and the Plum Pudding Flea nearly catches them. They set a honey trap for him. It works! He is nearly netted by Professor Bosh but escapes, leaving them stuck in the honey.

Owl, Pussycat and Quangle Wangle help the Piggywig who sells them the ring on the end of his nose. A sudden storm makes everyone hide. The mad Jumblies are washed ashore in their sieve and lick Professor Bosh and Dong out of their honey trap. Hearing there is an owl, Jumblies' favourite food, on the island, they rush off to find him, pursued by Professor Bosh.

Dong has found his beloved Jumbly Girl once more. Owl, Pussycat and Quangle Wangle find the Turkey's house. The sleepwalking Runcible Spoon again saves them from the Plum Pudding Flea and they all meet the vicar who forgets the wedding service. Owl and Pussycat hope to be married soon but the Jumblies arrive and attack Owl; the five pound note saves him.

Professor Bosh hurries to the scene but is accidentally knocked out by the Turkey. Dong and Jumbly Girl girl arrive and help sort out the muddle. Quangle Wangle suggests a celebration. The Plum Pudding Flea is caught in Professor Bosh's net. Owl and Pussycat are married at last and everyone dances for joy.

Musical Numbers

1. The Owl and the Pussycat
2. The Song of the Dong
3. The Quangle Wangles Hat
4. Off We Go
5. Off We Go (Reprise)
6. The Honey Trap
7. I'm Stuck
8. The Storm
9. The Jumblies Song
10. Honey Song (Reprise)
11. A Syllabub Sea
12. The Turkey Song
13. The Syllabub Sea (Reprise)
14. The Wedding Feast
15. The Light of the Moon