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Edith’s Wartime Scrapbook

By Mick Riddell
Ages: 7-11yrs

Running Time

60 Mins Approx

Speaking Parts

44

Cast Size
(Including Non-Speaking)

70

Cast Size
Easily Reduced To

33

Suggestions for how to easily reduce and increase the cast size to suit your numbers are included in the "content samples" for this musical.

No. Of Songs

9

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. But despite the perils of the Blitz, evacuation, rations and bossy ARP wardens, we learn of how families and communities cared for and supported each other, found comfort and humour in their unusual circumstances, and ultimately triumphed in the face of adversity.

*FREE Word doc. of the script to edit yourself*

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Overview

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.

Listen below to the songs from ‘Edith’s Wartime Scrapbook’
"Wartime Memories"
"Journey On A Train"
"Put That Light Out"
"Keep Our Spirits Flying"
"Women At War"
"We Are The Home Guard"
"Hollywood Girls"
"Will You Be There"
"A Land Fit For Heroes"

Characters

44 Speaking parts in order of appearance

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…
5 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.

Option 1 – Physical Product – Posted

This option can be paid for online, or schools* can request to have goods sent with an invoice to be paid within 30 days.
* Non-UK schools and private individuals (not ordering on behalf of a UK school) must pay online.

A wire-bound book with:
Full script
Detailed stage directions
Character information
Tips for costumes, props and scenery
Piano score for all songs
Licensing information

An Audio CD with:
Vocal demo tracks to all songs
Backing tracks to all songs
Continuity/incidental music
Sound effects

Option 2 – Digital Download

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.

Both PDF and editable MS Word documents of:
Full script
Detailed stage directions
Character information
Tips for costumes, props and scenery
Piano score for all songs
Licensing information

MP3 files of:
Vocal demo tracks to all songs
Backing tracks to all songs
Continuity/incidental music
Sound effects

Extras included:
JPEG files of cover artwork for making posters or other promo material.

Upon completion of your order, a link will be automatically sent to the email address you provided, from which all the files can be downloaded.

Share your thoughts!

5 out of 5 stars

19 reviews

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What others are saying

  1. Yes

    Yes

    Yes

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  2. Anonymous

    Class of 2007 at Hampton dene primary school

    Anonymous

    A trip down memory road… I remember this show being performed by my year and all the good song’s when I was at Hampton dene primary school. Brilliant written. “Put that light out” and “a land fit for heroes” are the ones that really stuck for me. I still have a t-shirt, don’t think will fit me anymore. Great show and loved being a part of the show (backstage). Brilliant to see so many others enjoy and have the opportunity to be apart of this. Mr Riddell was a great teacher. Had him for 2 years. I always remember his love for Celtic. Brilliant for KS2 and well written. This will forever be remembered. I would highly recommend this. Enjoyed being apart of it back in year 6.

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  3. shane.kenward78

    Shane

    shane.kenward78

    really good play and i really like the songs as well as the play but the play is fantasic

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  4. Anonymous

    Millie

    Anonymous

    AMAZING! Love the songs

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  5. Anonymous

    Max

    Anonymous

    Its Good

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  6. Anonymous

    st nicks

    Anonymous

    great story

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  7. Anonymous

    Broomfield Primary School

    Anonymous

    The best performance we have ever seen. Especially with our favourite students! Certainly would recommend! 10/10!!

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  8. Anonymous

    Willingham Primary School

    Anonymous

    A fantastic show!!
    Very emotional and current, children thoroughly enjoyed performing it, as did the parents viewing it. One of the best plays I’ve directed in a long while!

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  9. Anonymous

    Scargill primary school

    Anonymous

    we are doing a play about this i just think it all is just perfect!!!!

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  10. Anonymous

    Bramhope

    Anonymous

    Beautiful songs

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  11. info@edgyproductions.com

    David Muff, YR5/6, Fairhaven Primary, Norfolk

    info@edgyproductions.com

    …what a rip-roaring success the Year5/6 leavers’ performance of Edith’s Wartime Scrapbook was! Everyone said it was the best show ever and I have to agree. When I chose it, I was looking to link our WW2 topic work from this term and what really sold it to me were the fantastic songs. The children loved devising dance moves for the songs. I can’t speak too highly of this show – it is excellent and it really is a very special way for the Year 6s to end their time at Fairhaven Primary. It will live on in the memory – theirs, mine, parents and the school community as a whole.

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  12. info@edgyproductions.com

    Diana Smith

    info@edgyproductions.com

    Having used your scripts for 7 years I am thrilled with Edith! The story is top class and the music even more so!

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  13. info@edgyproductions.com

    D Nelson, Warks

    info@edgyproductions.com

    How wonderful to be able to support our WW2 learning with something like this! The children were immersed in it completely and thoroughly loved it!

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  14. info@edgyproductions.com

    Rozano, Barford Primary School

    info@edgyproductions.com

    I really like these songs they’re catchy!

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  15. info@edgyproductions.com

    Emma Pattison, St Marys CE primary school

    info@edgyproductions.com

    OMG I super enjoyed doing this play ( I was billeting officer – wanted to be hollywood girl ) the song are lovely ( especially hollywood girls ! ) and by the time you’ve finished the play , there won’t be a dry-eye in the room!

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  16. info@edgyproductions.com

    Chloe, Linden Road Primary School Denton

    info@edgyproductions.com

    Great show last thing to do with my friends a great treasureable moment xx

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  17. info@edgyproductions.com

    Miss Thomas, Wales

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    Absolutely fantastic script….a real winner!

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  18. info@edgyproductions.com

    Archie MacColl-Smith, Inveraray primary school

    info@edgyproductions.com

    My favourite characters were Wally Davies, ARP5, young Alice and removal man 1. best play I’ve done! Archie Aged 9

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  19. info@edgyproductions.com

    Molly

    info@edgyproductions.com

    Love it!

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