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Sir David Hattenscarf and the Wonders of the World
by Jess Dixon & Jonathan Vinten
Join Sir David Hattenscarf, a fearless explorer, as he leads five children on a magical journey around the world, transported from their grandmother's attic on an enchanted carpet. Along the way, they encounter exotic animals, fascinating people and diverse cultures, discovering the wonders of our planet while raising awareness of climate change and the need to protect endangered species. Written by Teachers for Teachers, this heart-warming production is designed with flexibility in mind, making it perfect for schools of all sizes, with adaptable cast options for 30, 60, or even 90 performers.
Embark on a Global Adventure with Sir David Hattenscarf!
Join Sir David Hattenscarf, the fearless explorer, as he leads five children on an extraordinary journey around the world. Transported from their grandmother's attic on a magical carpet, the children discover the wonders of our planet, meeting exotic animals, fascinating people and learning about diverse cultures along the way.
This heart-warming story raises awareness of climate change and the importance of protecting endangered species, inspiring performers and audiences alike to make a difference.
Featuring catchy, culturally inspired songs and a cast of funny, memorable characters, this educational and entertaining musical promises to leave a lasting impression on everyone involved.
Written by Teachers for Teachers, this production is designed with flexibility in mind, accommodating cast sizes of 30, 60, or even 90 performers - perfect for schools of all sizes!
Can Sir David Hattenscarf and your cast inspire the world to protect our precious planet?
Scene One - Gran's House
The musical opens in the warm and cosy setting of Gran's house. It's a typical Saturday afternoon and five kids are feeling bored. Their Mum is about to leave for work, entrusting Gran with the kids, confident that they won't get into any trouble. Little does she know; an extraordinary adventure is about to unfold. The lively track 'Welcome To Our Story' kicks off the adventure, with the kids and the 'National Treasure', Sir David Hattenscarf, embarking on a whimsical journey around the world on a magic carpet, to learn all about the ecological issues facing our planet.
Scene Two - The Attic
The children, guided by Gran's tales, rummage through old newspapers and photographs in the attic. They discover a treasure chest labelled 'National Treasure'. To their surprise, the chest contains a pith hat, which magically summons Sir David Hattenscarf. With his guidance, the children are ready to explore the world. The scene is filled with excitement as the children uncover the hidden treasures of the attic and prepare for their journey. The children are excited to visit places like India, Egypt, Australia, Borneo and Antarctica, all while watching animals run free and enjoying the wonders of nature. They are whisked off on their magic flying carpet, swooping through the clouds to the song 'The Magic Flying Carpet'.
Scene Three - India
Their first stop is India, where they land in Madhya Pradesh during the vibrant Diwali celebrations. They are warmly welcomed by Aarav and Aditi, who explain the significance of Diwali and guide them to a nature reserve to see the magnificent Bengal Tigers. The tigers, facing extinction due to human actions, share their plight through a catchy, yet heartfelt song, 'Bengal Tiger', leaving the children determined to make a difference.
Scene Four - Egypt
Next, the magic carpet takes them to the ancient land of Egypt. The children are awestruck by the grandeur of the pyramids. They meet local sellers in the bustling markets, where the children learn about the rich history and culture of Egypt. They are soon greeted by a grumbling group of camels who sing the song 'Ships Of The Desert'. This comical scene is a thrilling blend of adventure and education, leaving the children with a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the ancient world.
Scene Five - Australia
The journey continues to the stunning Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The children are greeted by friendly locals who introduce them to a hilarious group of turtles. The scene is a celebration of Australia's natural beauty and the importance of preserving its unique ecosystems. The stunning song 'The Ballad Of The Turtles' is performed and the children learn about the challenges faced by the environment and the efforts being made to protect it.
Scene Six - Borneo
In Borneo, the children find themselves in the heart of the rainforest. They meet indigenous tribes who teach them about the threats posed by deforestation. Before long, the children are surrounded by a buffoonery of endangered orangutans, learning valuable lessons about conservation through the jazzy song 'Hanging Around In The Jungle'. The scene is a powerful reminder of the urgent need to protect our planet's rainforests and the incredible creatures that inhabit them.
Scene Seven - Wales Joke
This funny twist to the adventure lands the children, unexpectedly, in Wales! Here they meet an old friend of Sir David Hattenscarf, who shares some shocking news about pollution in the local rivers. They swiftly return to their worldwide exploration and head off on the magic carpet to their next destination.
Scene Eight - Antarctica
The magic carpet then takes the children to their final destination, the icy wilderness of Antarctica. They are mesmerised by the pristine beauty of the glaciers, the playful antics of the penguins and the frosty reception from the Blue Whales. The scene is a poignant exploration of the effects of human activity on the planet and the need for collective action to safeguard our future. The scene ends with the powerful and emotional song 'Antarctica'.
Scene Nine - The Return Home
As the adventure draws to a close, the children return to Gran's house, filled with newfound knowledge and a sense of responsibility towards the planet. They share their experiences with Gran, who is proud of their journey and the lessons they have learned. The scene is a heart-warming conclusion to the adventure, emphasizing the importance of family, curiosity, responsibility for the future and the power of storytelling.
Scene Ten - The Final Song
The musical ends with a rousing final song, 'We Hope You Liked Our Story', bringing together all the characters and themes of the story. The children, Gran and Sir David Hattenscarf join in a joyous celebration of their journey and The Wonders of the World. The final song is a powerful anthem of hope and unity, inspiring the audience to cherish and protect our planet for future generations.
Speaking Roles By Number Of Lines
N.B. In the following list, the number shows how many SPOKEN lines each role has. An asterisk (*) before the characters name indicates that this character ALSO has solo or featured sung lines.
| Character Name | Number of Lines |
|---|---|
| *Sir David Hattenscarf | 46 |
| Child 4 | 23 |
| Child 2 | 22 |
| Child 3 | 22 |
| Child 5 | 17 |
| Child 1 | 17 |
| *Turtle Tim | 9 |
| *Turtle Tag | 7 |
| Gran | 8 |
| Welshman Owen | 6 |
| Narrator 1 | 6 |
| Narrator 2 | 6 |
| Narrator 5 | 6 |
| Narrator 6 | 6 |
| Narrator 7 | 6 |
| Narrator 8 | 6 |
| Tour Guide | 6 |
| Market Stall Keeper 3 | 5 |
| Aarav | 5 |
| Aditi | 5 |
| *Turtle Tony | 5 |
| Market Stall Keeper 1 | 4 |
| Narrator 3 | 4 |
| Bengal Tiger | 4 |
| Australian 4 | 4 |
| *Turtle Tina | 4 |
| Market Stall Keeper 4 | 4 |
| Tribesperson 1 | 4 |
| Narrator 4 | 3 |
| Market Stall Keeper 2 | 3 |
| Camel 1 | 3 |
| Tribesperson 2 | 3 |
| Orangutan Otis | 3 |
| Baby Orangutan | 3 |
| Penguin 2 | 3 |
| Tiger 2 | 3 |
| Mum | 3 |
| Tiger 1 | 2 |
| Niall | 2 |
| Australian 1 | 2 |
| Australian 2 | 2 |
| Camel 2 | 2 |
| Camel 3 | 2 |
| Tribesperson 3 | 2 |
| Tribesperson 4 | 2 |
| Penguin 1 | 2 |
| Penguin 3 | 2 |
| Australian 3 | 1 |
| Group of Blue Whales | 1 |
Non-Speaking Roles: 4 Dancers, a Snake Charmer, and Orangutans.
Reduced Cast List
In the following list the bracketed number shows the number of spoken lines each character has. The asterisk (*) before the characters name indicates that this character has solo or featured sung lines.
| Character Name | Number of Lines |
|---|---|
| *Sir David Hattenscarf | 46 |
| Child 4 | 23 |
| Child 2 | 22 |
| Child 3 | 22 |
| Child 5 | 17 |
| Child 1 | 17 |
| Aarav and *Turtle Tag | 12 |
| Gran and *Turtle Tina | 12 |
| Mum and *Turtle Tim | 12 |
| Narrator 1 and 2 | 12 |
| Narrator 5 and 6 | 12 |
| Narrator 7 and 8 | 12 |
| Aditi and *Turtle Tony | 10 |
| Australian 1, Tribesperson 1 and Market Stall Keeper 1 | 10 |
| Australian 4, Tribesperson 4 and Market Stall Keeper 4 | 10 |
| Niall and Welshman Owen | 8 |
| Australian 2, Tribesperson 2 and Market Stall Keeper 2 | 8 |
| Australian 3, Tribesperson 3 and Market Stall Keeper 3 | 8 |
| Narrator 3 and 4 | 7 |
| Tour Guide and Snake Charmer | 6 |
| Tiger 2 and Baby Orangutan | 6 |
| Tiger 1 and Orangutan Otis | 5 |
| Camel 1 and Penguin 1 | 5 |
| Camel 2 and Penguin 2 | 5 |
| Camel 3 and Penguin 3 | 4 |
| Bengal Tiger | 4 |
| Group of Blue Whales (Adults could play this role) | 1 |
Non-Speaking Roles: 4 Dancers.
Sir David Hattenscarf and the Wonders of the World
"Sir David Hattenscarf was an outstanding production that engaged both the children and staff. It provided an exciting and educational experience, immersing students in learning about different countries, cultures, and geographical concepts. The production also fostered cross-curricular learning, seamlessly integrating into the students' daily school activities. Overall, it was a brilliant and enriching experience for everyone involved! "Lara Newman, Chipstead Valley Primary School , Coulsdon
Sir David Hattenscarf and the Wonders of the World
"What an incredible production and a fantastic final performance from the children. This is a great show with a script that is full of different roles so that all children are involved in some way. Plenty of both speaking and non speaking parts as well as several original catchy songs that the audience were humming after the show had finished! The children’s enthusiasm whilst performing was clear to see and the show had an inspiring message about looking after our planet as there is lots of amazing wildlife all over the world. I highly recommend this production to anyone!"Mr H Chapman, Chipstead Valley Primary School, Croydon
Sir David Hattenscarf and the Wonders of the World
"This was an absolute delight to produce! The flexible casting options allowed us to involve over 60 children, giving everyone a chance to shine, and the catchy, culturally inspired songs were easy for the children to learn and perform. Parents were amazed by how cute and brilliant the children were, and the simple costumes and staging made the production stress-free for teachers. The children loved the magical story and funny characters, and the show’s message about protecting our planet left a lasting impression on everyone. Highly recommended for schools of all sizes!"Mrs J. Taylor, Year 4 Teacher
