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What's New Pussycat?

by Judith Prior



Please Note : This musical is only available from us to customers in UK and Europe.
If you are outside this area, please go to David Spicer Productions

Synopsis

A sparkling new comedic musical for schools and youth groups
based on the classic story of 'Puss In Boots'
... with great rock and pop songs added.

Jukebox Musical 'What's New Pussycat?' by Judith Prior

The gutsy opening number, with chorus ('Workin’ For the Man') introduces the oldest of three brothers, Tom Miller, newly in charge of the family mill because of their father’s recent demise. The younger brothers Simon and Harry quickly learn that Tom’s selfish plans for the future do not include them. Tom begrudgingly gives his two brothers ten pounds each and tells them to fend for themselves.

Youngest brother, Simon, who is not the sharpest tack in the pack, is delighted with his ten quid and sets off to find his fortune. Harry, the middle brother, opts to take care of Puss, the Miller’s cat, because Tom is too mean to look after a cat. Harry loves animals and his father, the old Miller, always said that Puss was a very special cat. Just how special becomes apparent to Harry when Puss casually strikes up a conversation with him…. A talking cat? Why not?

Puss makes a bargain with Harry promising to make him very rich, provided that Harry promises to do everything Puss tells him to do. ('I Wanna Be a Billionaire') To achieve Puss’s ambitious plan, Harry will have to buy Puss some boots and a very grand hat, with a feather. ('Material Girl')

Harry takes Puss to a thrift shop for her outfit. Here they meet three delightful old widows, Doris, Dora and Daphne. The three eccentric old girls assume that Harry and Puss are a couple. Puss confides that she is a very much a single lady and the scene becomes an hilarious musical number with the three old ladies, Puss and the chorus, all doing the great energetic Beyoncé choreography to 'Single Ladies'.

Eventually Puss is suitably outfitted with boots and a hat, also a large purse which she purchases with their last fifty pence. Unfortunately the purse belongs to one of the old ladies, and was sold by mistake. After much confusion the old dears Dora, Doris and Daisy, set out after Puss and Harry to find them and reclaim the lost purse.

Puss informs Harry that they must cross the Great Sandy Desert and meet the King, in order for his great riches to materialise. Unbeknown to Harry, Puss plans to outwit the wealthy old Witch Winifred and gain possession of her castle and fortune for Harry. Their hilarious, melodious, adventures, while crossing the desert and outwitting the wicked witch, include meetings with a dancing camel, a singing Troll, the Witch Winifred of course, and various other amazing characters, who eventually lead them to another kingdom, where Harry meets his Princess.

Puss manages to banish the witch and convince the King that Harry is indeed The Marquis of Carabas, owner of a fabulous fortune and amazing castle. How they manage to do this is as implausible as it is comical ... but isn’t that what fantasy is all about?

Although inspired in part by the story of 'Puss in Boots' which was written some time during the sixteenth century by French author, Charles Perrault, 'What’s New Pussycat?' holds no hidden morals or messages. The piece is simply a light-hearted fun musical for a large mixed cast of young people. The show embraces an eclectic collection of great pop and rock songs drawn from the rock era of the 50's & 60's through to today’s hit parade, that the cast and audience will identify with and enjoy.

Over twenty speaking parts, with some doubling possible. Simple sets and costumes make the piece ideally suitable for a Primary or High School Production or for a Youth Theatre.


Characters

Principals (5m, 7f, 2m/f)
  Puss - pantomime cat (f)
  Harry - teenage boy (m)
  Doris - an old lady from a thrift shop (f)
  Dora - another old lady from a thrift shop (f)
  Daisy - yet another old lady from a thrift shop (f)
  Troll - a singing troll (could double with Tom) (m)
  Witch Winifred (f)
  King - (could double with Simon) (m)
  Queen (f)
  Princess (f)
  Tom - Harry's older brother (m)
  Simon - Harry's younger brother (m)
  Palace Guard 1 (m/f)
  Palace Guard 2 (m/f)
 
Support (5f, 6m/f)
  Lady (f)
  Villagers 1, 2 and 3 (m/f)
  Girls 1 and 2 (f)
  Doctor (m/f)
  Nurse (m/f)
  Maids 1 and 2 (f)
  Camel (m/f)
 
Chorus :
  Singers and dancers (as many as possible), villagers etc

Songs

  1) Workin’ For the Man [Roy Orbison] Chorus
  2) I Want to be a Billionaire [Bruno Mars] Harry & Puss
  3) Material Girl [Madonna] Dora, Daisy, Doris & Puss (with optional Chorus)
  4) Single Ladies [Beyoncé] Chorus (with Dora, Daisy, Doris & Puss)
  5) Walk Right In [The Rooftop Singers] Puss & Troll
  6) Hey Baby [DJ Otzi] Troll & Chorus (with Puss)
  7) One Way or Another [Blondie] Witch Winifred
  8) Can Can (Chase) Instrumental
  9) These Boots Are Made For Walking [Nancy Sinatra] Harry, Doris, Dora, Daisy & Chorus
~~ Interval ~~  
10) We’re Not Gonna Take It [Twisted Sister] Chorus
11) Simple Simon Says [1910 Fruitgum Company] Simon & Chorus (with Tom)
12) Shop Around [Captain and Tennille] Princess & Maids (with optional Chorus)
13) I Feel Good [James Brown] Harry (with optional Chorus)
14) Reprise, Shop Around [Captain and Tennille] Queen & Princess (with optional Maids & Chorus)
15) Ballin’ The Jack [Brenda Lee] Puss (with Camel and optional Chorus)
16) What’s New Pussycat? [Tom Jones] Troll & Puss
17) Congratulations [Cliff Richard] Harry, Princess & Company

Information for Production Administrators

Here's a list of all the supporting material available and some other information you might need. Pricing for the production materials is supplied automatically with a Perusal Set. Royalty pricing can only be provided as a formal quotation.

Available now (see below) ...
 
 
Perusal Set

These are available free of charge exclusively to bona fide representatives of organised musical theatre production organisations. The set is provided on a non-returnable USB Stick and contains...

 
  • Libretto (pdf)
  • Piano/Vocal Score (pdf)
No recorded music is supplied as all the songs are commercially available. No DVD is available.
Available after Perusal ...
 
Libretti/Vocal Scores

Available to purchase as a Rehearsal Master Set on a USB Stick. This contains the script and piano vocal score for your cast and crew provided as A4 pdf files. No problem about possible loss of deposit on sets of rented books, as they are yours to print out and mark up as required. The price includes a multiple copying licence allowing you to copy the files on the Stick (enabling you to give or sell copies to your cast for them to make up their own rehearsal books) or to make multiple prints of the pdf's on the Stick for your production company to organise and provide to your cast or crew.

To order this, create an account with us, then go to the 'Order Rehearsal Material' page. Please note that we do not sell printed copies of the libretti, nor do we hire sets of printed rehearsal libretti or scores.

Available after Rights Obtained ...
 
Backing Tracks
For use in support of your rehearsal pianist, or for use during performances. To order this item, supplied as mp3 files on a USB Stick, create an account with us, then go to the 'Order Performance Material' page.
 
Orchestrations

These are available for a 7 piece band as below, for purchase by production companies only, who hold a valid, unexpired, licence to perform. To order this item, supplied as mp3 files on a USB Stick, create an account with us, then go to the 'Order Performance Material' page.

 
  • Keyboard 1
  • Keyboard 2
  • Alto Sax
  • Trumpet
  • Lead Guitar
  • Bass Guitar
  • Drums
Royalty Type

Royalties for this title are 'variable fee, post paid', and will be calculated on a percentage of your box office income once your production has finished. See our pricing policy for details. We work on a quotation system for royalties, based on information you supply to us. Complete a printed application form or create account with us, and use the online version.

Video Licence
We have secured the rights to video productions of this title from the Author, and we manage them on his behalf. Once a 'Licence To Perform' has been granted, and then on payment of a fee, we will be able to issue a 'Licence To Record'. There are some strings attached to this, but these are far outweighed by the benefits.
 
  • Record one or more live performances and mix down to a single video
  • Give or sell copies to your cast and crew
  • Sell copies to your audiences (take advance bookings on the night)


Please Note : This musical is only available from us to customers in UK and Europe.
If you are outside this area, please go to David Spicer Productions

Order your free perusal material now ...
  • Perusal Set on USB ('What's New Pussycat?')
    £0.00 Perusal Set on USB ('What's New Pussycat?')
    PLEASE NOTE : We operate a FREE Perusal Service, and for this title we supply a USB stick with pdf files of the perusal material. Customers requesting this MUST be a representative of a production company, school, church or...
  • Royalty Quotation Form (FL)
    Royalty Quotation Form (FL)
    The rights to perform and record for all the titles in our catalogue are managed by Stagescripts Ltd. You should not assume that a licence to perform will always be granted. Please request a quotation at the earliest...
  • Rehearsal Master Set
    £0.00 Rehearsal Master Set
    Rehearsal Master Sets (RMS) are available to purchase, once your production has been licensed. You will need the 5 digit licence reference number (see above). They are available as a Dropbox download or on a USB Stick. If...
  • Backing Tracks (Performance)
    £0.00 Backing Tracks (Performance)
    Sets of Backing Tracks on: USB Stick with mp3 files, or Dropbox, mp3 file downloads (e-mailed link) to use during performances (or rehearsals). The price will be shown after you select the title required. In order to...