The Forgotten Toys

 

By Paula Carter and Bridget Walters

 

Genre: Children’s Theatre

 

Cast: 3f 2m or 4f 1m plus 1 small silent role to be played by SM or Props

 

Settings: 4 simple settings on a unit set.

 

Approximate Length: 2 acts about 1 hour 20 minutes inc interval.

 

Synopsis: Once upon a time, high up in an old attic there lived some toys. One day disaster struck, no-one came to play with them, where was the little girl who loved them? They found themselves alone and forgotten. So they escaped and went on a quest, facing many dangers, to find a new home and someone to love them.

Suitable for ages 3 – 8

 

History: Has been performed several times by Carnevale Productions. Most recently in July 2008 at The Arch, Holden Street Theatres.

 

Review for July 2008 Production from The Adelaide Theatre Guide

"THE FORGOTTEN TOYS"
Spotlight Theatre Company
Holden Street Theatres
Until 19 Jul 2008
Review by Brian Godfrey
“The Forgotten Toys” should neither be forgotten nor go unseen – it is absolutely delightful.
Written by local actors, Paula Carter and Bridget Walters, the play involves a collection of toys who live in an attic. Unbeknown to them, the little girl who used to play with them and her family move away,
leaving the friends to escape and try to find her once more. Along the way, the toys discover a few things about themselves and the true meaning of friendship.
The cast consists of six very seasoned, extremely experienced amateur and/or professional actors who know how to perform and certainly know how to entertain children.
Gill Johnson would have to be the cutest, cuddliest Teddy bear ever. Liz Windsor may lose some of her stuffing as rag doll, Polly, but certainly none of her talent. As ‘valuable antique’ porcelain doll Victoria, Bridget Walters reigns over us, whilst Bob Brady plays cowardly custard Sergeantmajorsoldier with great comic flair.
Showing what troopers they are, Paula Carter and Meg Roberts have stepped last minute into the roles of Gummers and Blingdingle respectively, due to illness in the cast. Carter makes wearing gumboots and waving a broken wand an art form; Roberts does not need to utter a single word to prove how pleasant she is.
With colourful costumes, child-friendly music and songs by Nesta Mitchell and Liz Windsor and excellent technical backup from Tony and Nick Moore, “The Forgotten Toys” is exactly what good children’s theatre should be – fun, entertaining, slightly educational and not just for kids. 

Copies of Scripts and Performance Rights can be obtained from this website.

Please see the Services page for details.

 

The Forgotten Toys

Extract

ACT ONE

 

We hear the sound of children’s voices and laughter.  Polly and Teddy are on the garden seat.

 

VOICE OVER: Once upon a time there were some dolls who belonged to a little girl called Sarah, who loved them very much, and they all played happily in a big old house.

 

Blingdingle appears down the aisle and reacts with the children.

 

MOTHER (Off): Sarah, do hurry.  Don't forget we are moving and have such a lot of packing to do and don't forget to put your toys away.

 

SARAH (Off): Coming!  Bling! Blingdingle puts hand to her ear. Could you please put Teddy and Polly in the toybox as I’m helping Mummy pack?

 

Bling nods, changes scene, puts toys in the toybox

 

VOICE OVER: So the toys were put away in the toybox in the attic, right at the top of the old house. That night, just as the clock was striking midnight (FX & clock striking, lighting change) something magical happened.

 

Teddy's head appears over the top of the toybox and he climbs or falls out. "WHOOPS!" he sees the children between his legs.

 

TEDDY: Ooh Hello! Why are you upside down? (He stands up and laughs) Silly me!  You’re not upside down, I am! (He introduces himself & Bling) This is Blingdingle, she's always around to help and is very, very special.  (Bling is very embarassed).  And guess what, nasty people can't see her.  Can you see her? I bet you can because you are all really, really nice.

 

POLLY (From toybox): Teddy! Teddy!  Help! My legs gone again.

 

TEDDY: That's Polly! (He tries to pull her out). She lost some of the stuffing out of her leg and I’m not supposed to say how it happened. It’s gone very wobbly. Bling can you help me get her out. (They lift Polly out, she falls out on top of Teddy and they both laugh.)

 

POLLY: Thank you Teddy. Thank you Bling.

 

TEDDY: Come and meet my new friends.

 

POLLY: Ooh I’d like that.

 

TEDDY:  They're really, really nice. (To children). This is Polly.

 

POLLY: Hello.

 

(Polly and Teddy song.)

 

TEDDY: That reminds me of the time when I was a drummer in a pop band. (He takes drum and gets back on stage) I had this really, really huge audience and they clapped and clapped and then afterwards I shook all their hands and do you know what happened? My arm fell off.

 

POLLY: Really Teddy?

 

TEDDY: Yes really.

 

POLLY: Really and truly Teddy?

 

TEDDY: Well no, not really, but I am a very good drummer and .....

 

POLLY: Oh Teddy! (She cuddles him) Hush, listen?

 

VICTORIA (Off): Polly! Teddy!

 

TEDDY: What is it? (To children) Can you hear anything?

 

POLLY: Listen.

 

VICTORIA (Off): Polly! Teddy!

 

POLLY: It's Victoria, she's coming up the stairs.

 

TEDDY: Oh dear! Oh dear! It's Victoria! (He runs in circles with Bling)

 

POLLY: It's alright, she's gone down again.

 

TEDDY (Wiping brow): Phew, that's a relief!

 

VICTORIA SONG

 

TOGETHER:  She frowns - she's bossy - she frightens us so

                        Victoria

                        She's proud - she's haughty - if only she'd go

                        Victoria

If only she'd go and leave us to play

                        but she comes and visits us every day

                        Oh dear! Victoria! Oh dear!

                       

VICTORIA (Outside door): Polly! Teddy! (Bling exits)

 

POLLY: She's at the door, quick hide! (They hide except you can see Teddy because he only hides his head)

 

VICTORIA: Polly! Teddy!  Where are you? I know you’re here!  (To children) Some of you must have seen them, where are they?  (She is very angry and taps her foot. Then she spies Teddy) Teddy! (She comes up behind him, he looks up but doesn't see her. She shouts) Teddy! (Teddy falls over backwards)