The Gingerbread Man

Story

The newly baked Gingerbread Man meets the inhabitants of an antique dresser, Salt, Pepper, Sleek the Mouse, The Old Bag, (a tea bag who lives in a teapot on the top shelf ) and Herr von Cuckoo who lives in the cuckoo clock. Cuckoo has a sore throat and the Gingerbread Man tries to help him avoid being thrown away…

Why we chose it

The Gingerbread Man is one of David Wood’s most popular original plays. David Wood has been called the National Playwright for Children for his ability to write for children without patronising or talking down to them. He tells stories that captivate both children and their parents. He firmly believes that children need quality in writing and in production values to give them memorable experiences and engage their imaginations and for over 50 years he has been putting those beliefs into practice and creating exciting and engaging theatre for young audiences.

Where it came from

The Gingerbread Man was written as a Christmas show for the Towngate Theatre in Basildon. David Wood didn’t want to retell the traditional story of the Gingerbread Man but to create a new and original story with a Gingerbread Man as its hero. He had always thought that a Welsh dresser would make a great set for a play and this felt like the moment to use it.

Where it went next

The Gingerbread Man had its first London seasons at the Old Vic in 1977 and '78. It has since had a number of West End seasons as well as being performed all over the country by professional and amateur companies. It is also poplar abroad from Scandinavia to Australia, Germany to Japan.

Associated stories

David Wood has written many plays for children of all ages, including The Plotters of Cabbage Patch Corner, The Selfish Shellfish and Hijack over Hygenia. His adaptations of popular stories include such well known classics as Spot’s Birthday Party, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Babe the Sheep-Pig, The Witches, The BFG, Tom’s Midnight Garden and Goodnight Mr Tom.