Buttons was originally written for adults to perform but I was asked to prepare it for a junior group. So there are two versions, The Junior Version which lasts approximately 1 hour plus interval. And the Mature Version which lasts approximately 1 and 1/2 hours plus interval.

The storyline is based on the traditional Cinderella story with a few variations. The sisters are not ugly in appearance but are not very nice people and treat Cinderella very badly. The Prince is egotistical, arrogant and rude but the courtiers have been trained to love him. The Fairy God-mother is not very competent. Cinderella, of course, is treated very badly, being nothing more than a serf. Buttons, who is not really what he seems, although he doesn’t know it, is kind and helpful, and, secretly in love with Cinderella.

Enough background! Briefly the story concerns the fact that the King and Queen’s eldest son has had a spell cast on him by a witch leaving only one son and they want a wife for him in order to provide a grandchild to keep the regime going. They arrange a ball. Cinderella longs to go to the ball, which the fairy godmother facilitates. At the ball the prince falls for her but, as the story goes, at 12 o’clock Cinderella flees, leaving her shoe behind. A search next day for the wearer of the shoe exposes Cinderella but she refuses to marry the prince. Then Buttons true identity is revealed! A happy ending results.

Both versions of this musical were designed to be performed accompanied by backing tracks (Click on mp3s below for a few sample tracks).  Script and backing tracks for the Junior Version are available. However if you have an expert musical director and want to arrange your own music I can supply manuscript with melody line and chords.  The Mature Version has more dialogue, more songs and, with many of the songs, a choice of different styles in the backing tracks.

Sets: can be as simple or complex as you like.

Royal Drawing Room: Perhaps an ornate backcloth with a chaise longue down right. Any other pieces of suitable furniture you wish to add, or have room for.

Scullery at Hardup Mansion: A large fireplace up centre. Any other pieces of suitable furniture you wish to add, or have room for.

Front of tabs: If possible a backcloth of trees to represent a forest.

NB: as the theatre for which this musical was originally written  had tabs, the use of them was incorporated to enable the changing of scenes on the main stage. If your theatre does not have this facility the director will have to use some other device.

The scenes are as follows:

Prologue:                    (Front of tabs) 

Act 1, Scene 1:           (Royal Drawing Room)  

Act 1, Scene 1a:         (Front of tabs)

Act 1, Scene 2:           (Scullery at Hardup Mansion)  

Act 1, Scene 3:           (Front of tabs) 

Act 1, Scene 4:           (Scullery at Hardup Mansion)  

Act 2, Scene 1:           (Royal Drawing Room)  

Act 2, Scene 2:           (Front of tabs)  

Act 2, Scene 3:           (Scullery at Hardup Mansion)  

Finale:                        (Front of tabs opening to full stage for curtain calls etc)

If you would like more information on this musical please contact me and I will email a copy of the script plus more samples of music.