Edith’s Wartime Scrapbook

Sample Songs

Listen below to some of the songs from Edith’s Wartime Scrapbook

Plot Summary

Whilst moving out of the house in which she has lived for 80 years, Edith Coleman discovers an old scrapbook from her childhood. The turn of every page rekindles memories of a time when war affected every aspect of her daily life, and these memories are eagerly recounted to the removal people helping her, and to us the audience. (song – Wartime Memories)

Firstly, we find ourselves in the front room of the same house, but at the outbreak of the Second World War. The Coleman family discusses the fact that, although war has been declared, nothing much seems to be actually happening! The only real use that Fred (Edith’s scamp of a younger brother) can find for his gas mask is to make rude noises with it! (song – This Phoney War) However, as the days and weeks progress, Fred and Alice (Edith’s younger sister) find themselves at the train station, bidding an emotional farewell to their family as, along with lots of other children, they are evacuated. (song – Journey On A Train) Edith’s older brother, Sidney, will also be catching a train. He, however, will be travelling abroad to fight for his country, much to the worry of his parents.
The Blitz has ended the phoney war with a bang! As ARP wardens patrol (song – Put That Light Out), local residents gather in the air-raid shelters. We hear of how rationing and those dreaded powdered eggs are the blight of their lives, but also how everyone is pulling together and literally digging for victory! (song – Keep Our Spirits Flying) Women are flocking to the factories and onto the land to keep the nation armed and fed (song – Women At War), and the ‘old boys’ of the Home Guard are doing their bit too, if rather comically, to aid the war effort! (song – We Are The Home Guard)

As the USA enters the war, the young ladies are very excited at the arrival of American soldiers in Britain. At the dancehall we learn that, although popular with the female population, these charming visitors are seen as more of a threat to the local lads than Hitler himself! (song – Hollywood Girls) However, the harsher realities of the war are made apparent as we witness Sidney caught up in the fighting at Arnhem. He and his comrades, fearful for their lives, take a moment to write what could be their last ever letters home. (song – Will You Be There?) Will Sidney make it back, and will the Coleman family be reunited?

With the end of the war and VE celebrations in full swing, we understand that victory has come at a cost. Yet the overwhelming feeling is one of hope, and an appreciation of the enduring spirit that enabled families like Edith’s to triumph over adversity. It is this spirit which is celebrated in a truly uplifting final song, A Land Fit For Heroes.

Characters

45 Speaking parts in order of appearance
*Click on the Line count/Costumes tab for more details

Edith Coleman
2 Removal men/women

In Edith’s childhood home…
Fred, Mr Coleman, Mrs Coleman, Granny, young Edith, Alice, Sidney

At the train station…
Evacuee 1, Mother 1, Mother 2, Evacuee 2, Father, Billeting Officer

On the street at night…
5 ARPs, old Wally Davies

In the air-raid shelter…
7 adults, a tea-lady

On parade…
6 Home Guard, an angry wife

At the dance hall…
American GI, girl, local lads

At Arnhem…
Captain, 4 soldiers

Ensemble characters for selected scenes and songs

Working women
More Home Guard
More evacuees and families
More GIs and local lads
More ARPs
More ‘Hollywood’ girls
Adults and children taking shelter
More soldiers at Arnhem

What do you get?

This musical production is available to buy in 2 different formats. When ordering, simply choose the option (details below) which best suits your requirements.

• Option 1 – Book & Audio CD.
  A wire-bound book containing the full script with detailed stage directions, character information, tips and suggestions for costumes, props and scenery, and a piano score for all songs. An audio CD of all songs (backing tracks & vocal tracks) plus continuity/incidental music and sound effects where required. .
• Option 2 – CD-ROM & Audio CD.
  A CD-ROM containing both a PDF and an editable MS Word document of the full script, with detailed stage directions, character information, tips and suggestions for costumes, props and scenery, and a PDF of the piano score for all songs. An audio CD of all songs (backing tracks & vocal tracks) plus continuity/incidental music and sound effects where required.

Any order containing a digital download option must be paid for online at the point of ordering. Any order containing a digital download which is not accompanied by payment will not be processed.

UK schools can order Book & Audio CD and CD-ROM & Audio CD options with an invoice to be paid within 30 days. Non-UK schools and private individuals (not ordering on behalf of a school) are required to pay for these at the point of ordering.