Kitty Whittington
  • Kitty Whittington
  • Kitty Whittington

Kitty Whittington

By Tom Kirkham and Matthew Crossey

Ages 9-13

Duration 70 mins
Speaking Roles 31
Cast Size 18-60
Ideal Cast Size 45

Buckle your boots and holster your rolling pin, Kitty is off to London and she’s not coming home until she’s made something of her life. All she needs is somebody to give her a fighting chance, and when Mr Fitzwarren takes her in as a kitchen hand, she thinks she may have found it. But the fearsome cook, Mrs Tilbury, and her loathsome daughter, Sarah, have other ideas, not to mention the mice and rats which infest Kitty’s bedroom each night.

Perfect for 9-13 year olds, this brand new musical re-interpretation of Dick Whittington brings the story alive with an action-packed script, a host of memorable characters and ten brilliant new songs.

Scroll down to the tabs below to listen to song clips, read the synopsis and script samples, and to view character information.

A complimentary abridged version of the script is also available for those looking to do something a touch shorter. This version contains eight of the ten songs and has a running time of c. 55 minutes. Please let us know if you would like this version emailed alongside the main book/CD pack. 

The editable WORD script can also be purchased as an additional item alongside the main pack and performance licence. 

SPECIAL OFFER - Buy this musical and add a copy of The School Year (book and downloads) to your basket, completely FREE. Offer ends 31st March 2024.

UK School Invoicing Available - email us at info@theschoolmusicalscompany.com

5 *****s Teach Drama Magazine (Nov '18) 

  • Overview
  • Songs
  • Buying Options
  • Synopsis
  • Sample Scripts & Character Info
  • Reviews

Buying Options

Packs

Book & Digital Downloads: Book includes full script, character list, curriculum-linked material, sheet music and lyrics. Digital downloads comprise MP3s of all of the songs and backing tracks, lyric slides for POWERPOINT (for nativities), and a PDF version of the full book. Where available, a complimentary pdf version of the abridged script is also included.

Book & CD: Book includes full script, character list, curriculum-linked material, sheet music and lyrics. CD includes all songs recorded with children’s voices and full backing tracks.

Licences

Performance Licence: You need a performance licence to perform our show to anyone other than pupils and staff. The licence allows you to perform the show as many times as you like during a twelve month period.

Filming/Streaming Licence: If you plan to film your performance and manufacture DVDs for distribution, stream content on an internet site or on social media, you will also need to purchase this licence.

Extras

The EDITABLE VERSION of the script in WORD format is not available as a stand-alone purchase. However, it can be purchased alongside one of the Pack options when a performance or filming/streaming licence is also purchased. It is an additional item (script only, no music or production information) and is not a substitute for the main resource.

Overview

Kitty has had enough: the long hours slaving in the fields, the beastly boss, the pitiful pay! Oh, and her mother has recently died. She decides to make the long and dangerous journey to London, eager to discover its “streets paved with gold”.

But life has plenty more surprises in store for Kitty. She is robbed, twice, before she has even caught a glimpse of St Paul’s, then gratefully accepts a job as a kitchenhand in Mr Fitzwarren’s smart townhouse. Here, with the fearsome chef Mrs Tilbury and her scheming daughter, Sarah, ruling the roost, not to mention the rats and mice which plague her bedroom each night, Kitty will need every ounce of resourcefulness and a healthy dose of initiative if she is to come out on top.

This wonderful reinvention of Dick Whittington is perfect for 9-13 year olds, full of engaging characters, great songs and wonderful drama. The book provides the full script with staging ideas, piano music and lyrics, character profiles and curriculum resources. The accompanying CD features all of the songs, musical interludes and backing tracks.

Synopsis

Outside the village of Grindstone, Kitty Whittington and a swathe of other children who are slaving in the fields wonder whether life will always be so difficult (A BETTER WAY). After work, Kitty ventures into the village and overhears that the streets of London are paved with gold. She determines to travel there and see for herself (MAKE SOMETHING OF HERSELF).

On the way to London, she is robbed by a devious group of girls, helped by a friendly cart driver, but then robbed again upon arrival. Abandoned by the Thames, a forlorn Kitty dreams about a better life (WALK BY THE RIVER).

Luckily for her, she is given a job and a bedroom in Mr Fitzwarren’s smart townhouse. Unfortunately, the attic bedroom is infested with scurrying nocturnal visitors (RATS AND MICE).

Eager to find a solution to her rodent problem, Kitty and another kitchen hand, Mary, venture into London (LONDON’S THE PLACE TO BE). There they she finds Mr Bowbells, a remarkable cat with the ability to talk.

Mr Fitzwarren’s son, James, becomes friends with Kitty, not caring in the slightest about social status (BUILD A FRIENDSHIP). The fearsome cook, Mrs Tilbury, feels very differently about Kitty (MRS TILBURY).

One evening, Mr Fitzwarren gathers together the whole house and invites each of them to give him something to sell abroad. Kitty has nothing to give, but Mr Bowbells puts himself forward on Kitty’s behalf. Without Mr Bowbells, things take a turn for the worse. Kitty becomes increasingly picked upon both by Mrs Tilbury and her daughter, Sarah, and even some of the other servants are encouraged to turn against her. To make matters worse, the rats and mice return.

Meanwhile, in North Africa, the King and Queen of Barbary welcome some visiting merchants - including Mr Fitzwarren and Mr Bowbells - to their palace, though they are adamant that the only thing they need is something to rid the palace of the plague of rodents (FULL TO THE BRIM). Up steps Mr Bowbells, promising their immediate disappearance. The King and Queen are delighted and promise Mr Fitzwarren a small fortune in exchange, which he in turn pledges to Kitty.

Back in London, things have gone from bad to worse for Kitty. When Sarah and Cecily plant some stolen items in her bedroom, Kitty feels that enough is enough, and decides to leave London for good. However, upon reaching Highgate Hill, she hears the bells of Bow Church ringing, seemingly calling her to turn back and remain in London (TURN YOURSELF AROUND). Kitty does just that, only to be accosted by the gang of thieving girls. She confronts them, determined not to be pushed around any more. They back off and Kitty returns to Mr Fitzwarren’s house in time to hear his wonderful news – that she is now a very wealthy young lady with a fine future ahead of her (HAPPY ENDING).

Script Samples

Act One, Scene Four

Act Two, Scene Four

 

Character List

Londoners Fitzwarren Household Grindstone Villagers Barbarians
Kitty Bernard Daniel King Chakir
Mr Bowbells Cecily Jenny Queen Sofia
Alice Emily Peter Khalil
Arthur Groves Ruddock Merchant 1
Bess James Toby Merchant 2
Charlotte Mary Tom Merchant 3
Maud Sarah    
Millie Mr Fitzwarren Additional Roles
Nick Turpin Mrs Tilbury Mice and Rats
Scally   Children’s Ensemble
Full Ensemble

Song Samples

Title Listen
Make Something Of Herself
A Better Way
Rats And Mice
London's The Place To Be
Build A Friendship
Mrs Tilbury
Full To The Brim
Turn Yourself Around
Happy Ending
Walk By The River

Reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review
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J
Jessica Bingham`
Everyone loved it!

We've now performed Kitty Whittington twice, and each time, the pupils and parents have loved it. It's a great show, with a script that we've adapted to accommodate 44 pupils. The songs are fab - I happily spent our rehearsals singing along and couldn't get The Streets of London out of my head!

£ 37.95
In stock. Dispatched within 24 hours

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