A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

The Mystery Of Dumsey Meadow

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  8w, 8m, 1any gender (adult)

Music by David Perkins
Book & Lyrics by Caroline Dooley & David Perkins

Set deep in the heart of the English countryside in the 1930s, this musical for mystery lovers of any age will have you on the edge of your seat trying to work out “Why is it?”, “What is it?“ and “Whodunnit?”

The Mystery Of Dumsey Meadow

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    8w, 8m, 1any gender (adult)
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adventure, Theatre for Young Audiences, Mystery/Thriller, Christmas/Holiday, Period, Parody/Spoof
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences, Children (Age 6-10), Pre-Teen (Age 11-13), Teen (Age 14-18)
The Mystery Of Dumsey Meadow

Details

Summary

When the pupils of St Winifred’s and St Albert’s arrive for a camping trip at the beautiful Dumsey Meadow, deep in the heart of the English countryside, they find themselves in a spot of bother – there has been a double booking and only one school may camp there.

Whilst trying to decide which of them should stay, they become aware of some mysterious things happening around them: What is the peculiar smell in the air? Why is the Farmer always singing? Why do the cows and sheep appear to be laughing? Why did the Dumsey apple harvest fail for the first time in 300 years? And who is the hooded woman with the horrible cackle? With sleuth-like commitment, the children attempt to find answers to these puzzling questions.

Set in the 1930s with a cast of colourful characters, this is a musical play for mystery lovers everywhere, with a flexible performing age range of 8 to adult.

History

The Mystery of Dumsey Meadow was first performed at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, UK on 7 December 2006.

FARMER BILL* (m)
LADY DUMSEY* (f)
HOODED WOMAN / MARY* (f)
PC GREEN* (m)
VICAR* (m)
DOROTHEA* (f)
AGNES* (f)
JOURNALIST* (m/f)
MISS FEATHERSTONE* (f)
GERALDINE (f)
SYLVIA (f)
MILLY (f)
MR NOBLE* (m)
JENNINGS (m)
PORTER (m)
ALEC (m)

CHORUS

*Could be played by older children or adults

Large Cast

  • Time Period 1930s
  • Setting The Dumsey Estate in the heart of the English countryside. May 1938.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Music

Song Samples

How Thrilling
The Mystery of Dumsey Meadow
Witches Are Bewitching
Bobby on the Beat
Things to Do
Sisters of Rhyme
I’d Rather Have Brains Than Brawn

“Overture” – Sound effects
1. “The Gladness of the May” – Farmer Bill
2. “How Thrilling!” – Miss Featherstone, Sylvia, SW Children
2a. “St Albert’s School Motto” – SA Children
2b. “Re-Entrance of St Winnie’s” – SW Children
3. “The Mystery of Dumsey Meadow” – Lady Dumsey, Mr Noble, Miss Featherstone, Children
3a. “How Thrilling! (Reprise #1)” – Children (not Alec/Milly)
3b. “Scene Change/Appearance of Hooded Woman” – Instrumental
3c. “Scene Change” – Instrumental
4. “Witches are Bewitching” – Vicar, Alec, Jennings, Porter, SA Children
5. “Bobby on the Beat” – PC Green, Geraldine, Sylvia, SW Children (not Milly)
5a. “Scene Change” – Instrumental
6. “Things to Do” – Lady Dumsey, Farmer Bill
6a. “Appearance of Hooded Woman” – Instrumental
7. “Sisters of Rhyme” – Milly, Dorothea, Agnes
7a. “Sisters of Rhyme (Encore #1)” – Milly, Dorothea, Agnes
7b. “Sisters of Rhyme (Encore #2)” – Milly, Dorothea, Agnes
7c. “Scene Change” – Instrumental
8. “The Physical Contest” – Mr Noble, Miss Featherstone, PC Green, Vicar, Children (not Alec/Milly)
8a. “Scene Change” – Instrumental
9. “I’d Rather Have Brains Than Brawn” – Alec, Milly
10. “The Practical Contest” – Miss Featherstone, Mr Noble, Vicar, PC Green, Geraldine, Jennings, Children (not Alec/Milly)
10a. “The Tea-Break Tie-Break” – Children (not Alec/Milly)
10b. “The Gladness of the May (Reprise)” – Farmer Bill, Alec
10c. “Appearance of Hooded Woman” – Instrumental
10d. “Incidental” – Instrumental
11. “How Thrilling! (Reprise #2)” – Company
11a. “Bows / Encore” – Company
11b. “Exit Music” – Instrumental

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway, Operetta
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Small/Combo
  • Chorus Size Large

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!
20 Piano-Conductor
1 Flute
1 Clarinet
1 Drums/Percussion
1 Bass
20 Piano-Conductor

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

David Perkins

David Perkins works as a composer, pianist, MD and music arranger. His specialization is writing and collaborating on musicals for the youth/schools market and shows aimed at young/family-orientated audiences. Published works include Shake Ripple & Roll, Pandemonium! (a Greek ...
View full profile
Author

Caroline Dooley

Now Playing