Cast size: Medium, 11 plus
Music and lyrics by Roger Holman and Simon May Book by Simon May and Clive Barnett

Simon May | pop musical | medium 11 plus

  • About the Show

    Freely adapted from Dickens' Nicholas Nickleby, this musical opens in a contemporary school where a new English teacher finds it difficult to gain the interest of his class. He overcomes this problem when he hits on the idea of turning the book they are studying, Nicholas Nickleby, into a musical. We are swept back in time to the misery of Dotheboys Hall, where life is a matter of survival; avoiding the leaden hand of Mr Squeers and the daily dose of brimstone and treacle! The story ends happily with the children overpowering their captors: we return to the present day and find the class has learnt many lessons from the exercise. Since its production on BBC TV, Smike has enjoyed tremendous popularity. Suitable for secondary schools and youth groups.

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    Musical Numbers

    Act 1
    Overture (Going To School At Dawn) Dawn Music
    Daily Test Chant
    Doing Things By Numbers
    Here I Am
    Stop! And Just Think Who You Could Be
    Transition Music
    We've Got The Youngsters Interests At Hearts
    Wackford, Fanny, Squeersy And Me
    Dotheboys Hall
    Doing Things By Numbers (Reprise)
    Better Off The Way I Am
    Don't Let Life Get YOu Down
    Act 2
    Dawn Music
    In The Warm Light Of A Brand New Day
    Dotheboys Rock
    Brinstone And Treacle
    Your Kind Of Woman
    We'll Find Our Day
    Here I Am (Reprise)
    Don't Let Life Get You Down and
    In The Warm Light Of A Brand New Day (Reprise)
    Believe
    Dotheboys Rock (Reprise)

    Casting Information

    3 female
    11 male (certain parts may be played by either sex)
    chorus

    Rehearsal Set

    No rental materials are offered for this work
    The Libretto and Vocal Score are offered for sale.

    Orchestration

    Small:
    REED I (flute, clarinet, alto sax)
    REED II (clarinet, tenor sax)
    TRUMPET
    TROMBONE
    PERCUSSION
    GUITAR
    BASS GUITAR
    Large:
    REED I (alto sax, clarinet, flute, piccolo)
    REED II (tenor sax, flute, oboe)
    HORN
    2 TRUMPETS
    TROMBONE
    PERCUSSION
    DRUMS
    2 GUITARS
    BASS GUITARS
    PIANO
    2 SYNTHESISERS
    VIOLIN I
    VIOLIN II
    VIOLA
    CELLO
    BASS

    Forthcoming Productions

    Rondebosch Boys' Preparatory School
    17-29 September 2008

Partners & Associates

  • cipc
  • bsa
  • samro