Whistle Down The Wind (Labey/Taylor)
Based on the novel by Mary Hayley Bell and the Screenplay by Willis Hall and Keith Waterhouseand the film by Richard Attenborough and Bryan Forbes | Adapted by Russell Labey and Richard Taylor | with music and lyrics by Richard Taylor
This adaptation of Mary Hayley Bell's celebrated novel and its film incarnation (which starred the author's daughter, Hayley Mills, and Alan Bates) was an absolute triumph in its English stage premiere and subsequent presentation at the Edinburgh Theatre Festival. We are extremely proud to announce its availability for production in the U.S. and Canada.
When three rural children discover a wounded fugitive hiding in their barn, they believe him to be Jesus Christ. In a vow of secrecy, the village children harbor the stranger. When he is ultimately betrayed, the adults rush to 'save' their children with sorrowful consequences. A parable about faith, conviction and the fragile optimism of youth, WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND is a musical that soars with human spirit.
Cast Size: Small (1-10) • Medium (5-21) • Large (14+). Vocal Demands: Easy • Moderate. Dance Requirements: Some Dancing Required • Minimal. Good For: Elementary School • High School • College/University • Amateur/Community • Professional Theatre • Religious Organization.
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About The Show
Production Info
To request the rights to make merchandise for this show email brian.sherman@rnh.com.
Fan Info:
I had a, well, magical experience on Saturday night. Andy Einhorn, the indefatigable conductor and musical director of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA, invited me to sit in the orchestra pit of the Broadway Theatre during the performance. Because the pit is big enough, there is a space where, once the orchestra members are settled in their seats, a chair can be placed safely, between the bows of the violins and the constant instrument shifting of the woodwind section. Read more →
With the 9 Tony Award nominations for Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA announced this morning, once again Rodgers and Hammerstein stand tall and proud among the best of Broadway.
Read more →
Read more →
As I am now based in London, where Rodgers & Hammerstein is launching our own European theatrical licensing division – R&H Theatricals Europe – I had the great pleasure of hopping down to Madrid for 24 hours in late December, to see SONRISAS…, meet the cast and equally hardworking crew, and revel in a production of the timeless musical that seems to “bloom and grow forever” – and everywhere.
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Read more →
"This musical will touch even the coldest heart. The must-see show of the season." — London Evening Standard
"A touching evocation of childhood innocence. The score has remarkable freshness." — The London Times
"Magnificent!" — The Yorkshire Post
"A work of immense grace and power." — The Scotsman
Song #
Song Name
Character Name
Play
Other Versions
2
The Kittens
Nan, Cathy, Charles, Raymond
3
The Kittens (Continued)
Charles, Cathy, Nan
4
Underscoring
Instrumental
4
Underscoring
Instrumental
5
Underscoring
Instrumental
6
Funny, It Doesn't Feel Strange
Cathy, Nan
6
Playout/Scene Change
Instrumental
7
When You're Looking For A Murderer
Policeman, Vicar, Parents
8
Scene Change
Instrumental
9
Underscoring
Instrumental
9
The Mayor Of Burnley
Nan, Cathy, Charles
10
Underscoring
Instrumental
10
Hymm
The Man, Children
10
Underscoring
Instrumental
10
Underscoring/Hymn (Continued)
The Man, Children
12
Spider
Charles, Cathy
13
The Nativity
Vicar, Parents, Children
14
Dad's Party Piece ('lone On A Moor)
Dad, Two Fathers
15
Underscoring
Instrumental
16
I Don't Know What They're Waiting To Hear
The Man
17
Underscoring
Instrumental
17
The Secret
Instrumental
18
Please, Jesus
Cathy, the Man
19
Underscoring
Treble Solo
19
Follow! Follow! Follow Him!
Children
19
The Fire
Instrumental
20
Underscoring/Hymn (Reprise)
Company
Vocal Range of Characters:
Playbill VIP:
MAKE YOUR OWN PLAYBILL! Playbill VIP allows you to create your very own Playbill Program. We have provided Playbill with all of the credits, song listings, musical numbers and more so that most of the work is already done for you. Just add your productions details, photos of the cast and share it with all of your friends. Learn more: www.playbillvip.com
STANDARD
- Whistle Down The Wind (Labey/Taylor)-Orch Package (9 Books)
- 1 – PIANO CONDUCTOR SCORE
- 1 – FLUTE (Doubles Alto Flute)
- 1 – HORN
- 1 – PERCUSSION (see list below)
- 1 – KEYBOARDS (Electronic Piano/Synthesizer)
- 1 – VIOLIN I
- 1 – VIOLIN II
- 1 – VIOLA
- 1 – CELLO
- Whistle Down The Wind (Labey/Taylor)-Perusal Pkg (1Lib,1PV)
- 1 – Libretto
- 1 – Piano Vocal Scores
- Rehearsal Set (40 Books)
- 20 – Libretto
- 1 – Logo CD
- 20 – Piano Vocal Scores
ADDITIONAL
- Whistle Down The Wind (Labey/Taylor) -Pre-Prod Pkg
- 1 – Libretto
- 1 – PIANO CONDUCTOR SCORE
2 Women
2 Men
3 Girls
2 Boys
FEATURED
2 Women
3 Men
4 Girls
4 Boys
ENSEMBLE
Singing ensemble consisting of Village Children, Mothers, Fathers, Policemen
COMMENTS
A children's choir could be effectively incorporated into the production.
CHARACTERS
CHILDREN
Cathy Bostock - eldest sister of Nan and Charles
Nan Bostock - sister of Cathy and Charles
Charles Bostock - younger brother of Cathy and Nan
David Edwards
Elizabeth
Jackie Greenwood
Jenny
Jo
Laurie
Robert
Sam
Stephen
Raymond - the village bully, son of the Policeman
ADULTS
The Man
Dad - Mr. Bostock, father of Cathy, Nan and Charles
Auntie - Dad's sister
Policeman - village Policeman, father of Raymond
Vicar
Miss Lodge - Sunday School Teacher
Salvation Army Woman
Mrs. Pembridge - village mother
Eddie - farm laborer on the Bostock farm
Village Children, Mothers, Fathers, Policemen
SPECIFIC LOCATIONS
By the Canal
The Village
Outside the Barn
Inside the Barn
The House
The Church
Sunday School
A Village Street
The Playground
Sunday School
Back of the Barn
Materials Notes
Media Rights
*Currently media rights for Whistle Down The Wind (Labey/Taylor) are not available. Please contact customer service with any questions.
