About King Leo - Requirements - Original Commission
click photo for a good view
photo: Wycliffe Junior School
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Things people say about King Leo
"King Leo is an ideal piece for school performance. It is challenging yet very accessible. The jazz element in the music appeals to teenagers as does the 'green' message. This musical is versatile and gives the teacher an opportunity to cater for the less able child in a chorus role while extending the very able with its demanding instrumental writing. The text is witty and relevant to the young person of today. Our students enjoyed it . . . twice in one year!"
Phoebe Woollam Head of Music at The Lady Eleanor Holles School
"As a fan of the Walt Disney Jungle Book score I had assumed Trust in Me to be the ultimate in snake songs but McDowall and Dawson have come up with Adapt and Survive (for their snake, Miss Anna Conda, who else?) in an original and slippery smooth tango. King Leo is an eco-musical with a message or two. Charming, witty and never patronising, it's intelligent enough to be read on a number of levels and should find itself well placed to make regular appearances in the schools' repertoire."
Kevin Amos, West End MD writing for the Trinity College of Music Magazine
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"The main characters were strong and well drawn and the script fulfilled the essentials of a good story which translated well into a theatrical event. The music was atmospheric, humorous and heart lifting. This musical should go on living as other companies will find it fun and rewarding to perform."
The Lloyds Bank Theatre Challenge Review
Parts of King Leo were first screened on Blue Peter and now appear regularly on BBC Television. It has received many performances in England, Scotland and Wales.
Schools include: Fettes College, Kings College School (Wimbledon), Putney High School, Blackheath Conservatoire, Hutcheson's Grammar (Glasgow), Shrewsbury Junior High School, Edinburgh Academy Prep., Wycliffe Junior School.
click photo for improved view
Photo: Wycliffe Junior School
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2 stills extracted from
Blue Peter - click to view.
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About King Leo
There's been a bungle in the jungle! King Leo is getting old. His sight is not great and his strength is on the wane . . . so he makes the decision to take a year out from his responsibilities for the rainforest. What he needs is a place in the sun to rejuvenate and revitalise. He splits his kingdom between Panther, honourable but a bit too upfront with the truth, and Tiger a rampant rascal out to make a fast buck. Tiger speculates on his future as a property developer, cutting down the forest and selling off to the highest bidder. Naturally, the animals are wild with worry.
Will Tiger make the take-over total or will Panther, with some back up from Gaia, the earth guru, save the day, the forest and the planet . . . ?
King Leo's Vital Statistics:
- Running time: 60 minutes approx.
- It can be performed in concert as a cantata with narrative links.
- 7 solo parts (either gender)
- Chorus 20 - to as many as you have!
- Scored for four different combinations:
a. piano
b. piano, Bb clarinet and drum kit
c. piano, violin, cello, flute, clarinet in Bb and drum kit and percussion (timps. optional)
d. full orchestra
Demonstration tape, piano score, texts, choral scores, Save the Jungle (a separate number from the musical), instrumental parts and full scores, both chamber and orchestral available from Gemini Publications.
King Leo was commissioned by Georgina Roberts and Combe Bank School, Kent to form part of a project that contributed towards GCSE, A level and the Attainment Targets of the National Curriculum. King Leo was then taken up by the Young Persons Concert Foundation, which spearheaded a year-long initiative, funded by the Arts Council, in State schools. It receives many performances around the country.
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