doollee banner
The Playwrights Database
contact doollee


Florence Novelli

FLORENCE NOVELLI

  (1939 - 2014)
Nationality:    British
email:    Click here to contact     Website:    n/a

Literary Agent:    n/a

Born: Liverpool (31 Aug 1939). Emigrated: Canada 1951. Returned UK 1984. Writing: plays, poetry, film scripts, puppet scripts, dinner theatre/cabaret. Co-founder (with Bernard Aaron as playwright/composer duo) Renaissance Theatre, Toronto (August, 1972 - April 1984) writing, directing and staging their own original children's musicals. Artistic Director: Community Children's Theatre at Toronto's Seneca College (1978-79). Drama Instructor: Toronto Board of Education (1981-83). Touring Playwright: Playwrights Canada (1981-83). Novelli plays staged: Canadian National Exhibition, North York Centenary, Toronto's Colonnade Theatre, Seneca College, Harbour Front. Garrick Playhouse, Altringham (UK). Theatre Festivals (Ontario and Alberta) Travel shows: Libraries, Schools, Hotels, Hospitals, Shopping Centres, Business promotions, Charity fund-raising events. TV: The Canadian Children's Channel. Toronto's Rogers Cable, Toronto's City TV (best of '79) Publishers: Waterloo Music, (Canada), Playwrights Press (Canada). Biog. Entries: "Who's Who in Canadian Literature", "Contemporary Authors" vol. 112 (U.S.A), "International Authors and Writers Who's Who" (UK), "The British Music Yearbook", "The International Register of Profiles" (UK), "Five Thousand Personalities of the World" (U.S.A.) Novelli children's poetry included in the Dorchester DASP children's literary festival, June 2016. Bernard and Florence returned to UK April 1984 and were married in 1999.

Buy Plays with Doollee

Each page of doollee.com has links to play/book outlets, either directly to the Publisher, through Stageplays.com and Amazon to the second hand and 1st editions of AbeBooks. These links will automatically take you to the relevant area obviating the need for further search.
AbeBooks.co.uk   AbeBooks.com   Stageplays.com   amazon.com   amazon.co.uk   amazon.ca
whether you are a Playwright who wishes to make their entry definitive, an unlisted Playwright or a User with a tale to tell - we want to hear from you.
download WORD submission template

below is a list of Florence Novelli's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         Freeky the Pretty Witch         Gypsy Dreams         Itchy, Snitchy and Boo         Misty the Little Lost Cloud         Mrs. Oodle-Noodle and Santa         Mrs. Perriwinkle's Cosmic Dream         Peppercorn's Magic         Queen Cat Of Furbit         Santa and the King         Sentimental Journey         Spindlerion and the Princess         Twinkle and the Cosmic Pirate
Freeky the Pretty Witch

Synopsis:
Because she is pretty, Freeky is shunned by her fellow witches. Vip, the bossy but comedic head witch, calls a meeting in the forest. The witches have a problem. They fear that their influence in the world is being diminished by modern human technology that may lead to witches becoming extinct. Freeky and Suckertash are sent into the human world as spies to survey the situation. They meet Goodleoid, A loveable robot, and his creator, the ever absent minded Professor Google. In a mix of adventure, comedy and a love match, the witches' problems are finally resolved to the satisfaction of all, and freeky wins prominence within the clan.

Notes:
music by Bernard A Aaron

1st Produced:
Colonnade Theatre, Toronto.     Oct 1974

Organisations:
Renaissance Theatre

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada, 1985   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Children's Halloween musical

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  4            Other:  1 male or female

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Gypsy Dreams

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Dinner Theatre Play

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Itchy, Snitchy and Boo

Synopsis:
Two witches, Itchy and Snitchy, rival each other for the attentions of the wizard, Boo who is captivated by the charms of a lovely princess. When Boo learns that the princess is to marry Dumpleton, her royal chef, he is enraged and casts a spell. Dumpleton is changed into a sleepy lion and banished to the forest. The princess, aware only that her love has vanished, searches for him far and wide. In the forest she meets he sleepy lion and, although neither of them realize that he is her chef, Dumpleton, they both become "forever friends". Meanwhile, the rivalry between Itrchy and Snitchy, their pursuit of Boo, and the wizard's own encounter with the lion, bring about much fun and adventure enhanced by song and audience participation. Finally the spell is relinquished and all turns out surprisingly well for everybody.

Notes:
This play and "Misty the Little Lost Cloud" were both favorably reviewed in "Canadian Materials" (circulated to schools and libraries in British Columbia) by Jane Robinson, Christ the King School, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Feb. 1983. music by Bernard A Aaron

1st Produced:
Colonnade Theatre, Toronto     Feb 1973

Organisations:
Classic Stage Productions

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada, 1981
on Amazon.com via Capstone Media Services, New York   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Children's Musical (adventure)

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  3            Other:  2 male parts are played by 1 actor.

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Misty the Little Lost Cloud

Synopsis:
Anna's picnic with her animal friends in the forest is disrupted by a Summer storm. The North Wind, in one of his bullying moods, blows Misty, a little cloud, down to earth. Anna befriends the stranded newcomer and together with Albert, the peacock, and help from the audience, she tries in vain to help Misty float back up into the sky. All appears hopeless until Saucer Eyes, the owl offers his counsel in return for a gift which must please him. Anna, Albert and Misty do their best, but when their present does not measure up to the owl's expectations, his answer to their problem is given in the form of a riddle. Fortunately the riddle is solved and with help from the gentler South Wind the North Wind is brought back to the scene of his bullying and taught a lesson. Misty is returned to the sky, leaving Anna and her animal friends to continue their picnic.

Notes:
Misty the Little Lost Cloud and "Itchy, Snitchy and Boo" were both favorably reviewed in "Canadian Materials" circulated to libraries and schools in British Columbia. music by Bernard A Aaron

1st Produced:
Theatre-in-Camera, Bathurst Street, Toronto     24 Feb 1973

Organisations:
Renaissance Theatre

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada, 1981
on Amazon.com via Capstone Media Services, New York   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Children's musical (comedy)

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  2            Other:  1 male or female

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Mrs. Oodle-Noodle and Santa

Synopsis:
ACT One. Mrs. Oodle-Noodle and Janet prepare season's gifts donated to the orphanage. When Crumdum steals all, Mrs. Oodle-Noodle's energy and humour prevail. A second visit by Crumdum when nobody is at home clarifies his plans to also collect a batch of gifts intended to replace those he has stolen. Young audience participants seize an opportunity to foil the thief who later makes amends by returning all and so wins an invitation to accompany Mrs. Oodle-Noodle and Janet to the orpans' Christmas party. Act Two. The party over, Janet and Mrs. Oodle-Noodle return home, enthusiastic For Santa's Christmas night visit. When Santa arrives early Mrs. Oodle-Noodle believes him to be Crumdum in disguise and chases the astonished merry man away. With audience help, all turns out well and the audience children get to dance around a sparkling Christmas tree along with the actors, and Santa himself.

Notes:
For a short half hour play, Act One can be performed on its own as "Mrs. Oodle-Noodle and Crumdum". (Christmas content can also be substituted for that of any other season,). music by Bernard A Aaron

1st Produced:
Toronto's Seneca College (Lawrence Campus)     Dec 1977

Organisations:
Renaissance Theatre

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada, 1982
on Amazon.com via Capstone Media Services, New York   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Children's Christmas musical

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  2            Other:  1 girl

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Mrs. Perriwinkle's Cosmic Dream

Synopsis:
Mrs. Perriwinkle, a sprightly widow, now lives alone in her country cottage, tending her flowers and remembering her youthful years in Vauderville theatre with her husband. He was a grand magician and she, his assistant. When one evening a tiny shooting star falls into her garden, Mrs. Perriwinkle wishes upon it and falls asleep. So unfolds the fantasy of her "cosmic dream" in which she visits the galaxy and all its wonders. She meets the majestic sun and his beams, and the mysterious moon and her rays. She meets A beautiful cosmic fairy, a nebulous knight, an impish astral elf and other galactic characters. In action, dance and song, Mrs. Perriwinkle joins them in fun filled adventures, awakening next morning with yet more happy memories to cherish.

Notes:
This musical was previously titled Winter Night's Dream. music by Bernard A Aaron

1st Produced:
Colonnade Theatre, Toronto     Nov 1972

Organisations:
Classic Stage Productions

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada, 1981   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Children's Musical (adventure)

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  4            Other:  4 (either male or female)

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Peppercorn's Magic

Peppercorn's Magic
The Jolly Old King of Not-at-All prepares to celebrate the marriage of his daughter the Princess to a handsome young prince. Vexed by such merriment, the Ugly Old Troll visits the castle uninvited. Frightening everyone, he carries off the kingdom's treasures. The king is about to cancel the festival when the Princess, remembering her special friend in times of trouble, makes a wish for the appearance of Mr. Peppercorn, the little Irish Leprechaun. The wish is fulfilled. With Peppercorn's know-how and winning ways, along with plenty of audience involvement, the Troll is encouraged to make amends, just in time for the celebration to proceed.

Notes:
music by Bernard A Aaron

1st Produced:
Theatre-in-the-Dell, Toronto     1969

Organisations:
Classic Stage Productions

1st Published:
Waterloo Music 1975
on Amazon.com via Capstone Media Services, New York   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Children's musical (comedy)

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  1 male or female

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Queen Cat Of Furbit

Synopsis:
Queen cat Leonita is wooed by a "hippy" dog, Swinging Ralph, who is running for mayor of Dogglewood. Leonita, whose treasury is diminished by her excesses in pomp and fashion, is more interested in Russian prince cat, Gregov, who is visiting Furbit to seek a bride. Believing the Russian prince to be extremely rich, Queen Leonita prepares a royal welcome hoping to attract Gregov for herself. Leonita's alley cat maid, Ginny, also hopes to win the prince and plots intrigue by disguising Swinging Ralph as Prince Gregov. Because of his weakness for gambling, the real Prince Gregov is a pauper and his early arrival unravels the plot in an unexpected way, bringing Ginny and the prince together. Meantime, Swinging Ralph is elected mayor and becomes a much more attractive choice for Leonita than the pauper Russian prince.

Notes:
music by Bernard A Aaron

1st Produced:
Colonnade Theatre, Toronto.     02 Feb 1974

Organisations:
Renaissance Theatre

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada, 1985   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Children's musical (comedy)

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  2            Other:  1 male or female

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Santa and the King

Synopsis:
Santa's elves, Flip and Twip are sent to help Mrs. Santa with her last moment preparations for Christmas Eve. The two elves spin mischief but real trouble arrives in the form of the King Sarak and his spoilt son, Prince Horace. By royal decree Horace's Christmas stocking must include all the toys in the land. When Santa refuses, offering instead to visit Prince Horace in the usual way, the king has the toys seized, jeopardizing the merriment of Christmas. Mrs. Santa's hopes prevail. With her guidance, plus co-operation between Flip and Twip, as well as lots of audience involvement, the fulfillment of a Christmas wish takes place. Inside the palace where the toys have been taken, Goldenrene, the magic doll, comes to life. Her charm is such that the king has a change of heart. His new-found royal merriment is so great as to promise a Christmas more joyful than ever.

Notes:
music by Bernard A Aaron

1st Produced:
(Finch Campus) Toronto's Seneca College     29 Nov 1975

Organisations:
Renaissance Theatre

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada, 1982
Eldridge Publishing Company, Pennsylvania   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Children's Christmas musical

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  3            Other:  5 male or female

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Sentimental Journey

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Dinner Theatre Play

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Spindlerion and the Princess

Synopsis:
Although kindly King Flub and his daughter, the princess, rule wisely over their fairy tale kingdom, one of their oldest subjects, the ambitious and conniving scientist, Spindlerion, plots to gain power. Constructing a robot, the scientist introduces him as his son, the royal Prince of Nowhere, whom he hopes the princess will marry. His plans cause havoc and heartbreak. But with the help of audience children and the large talking flower, Daffy Daisy, and thwarted by the constant breakdown of his robot's mechanisms, Spindlerion is finally ddefeated.

Notes:
music by Bernard A Aaron

1st Produced:
Colonnade Theatre, Toronto.     1973

Organisations:
Toronto Truck Theatre

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada, 1983
on Amazon.com via Capstone Media Services, New York   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Children's musical (comedy)

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  2            Other:  doubling 1m or 1f

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Twinkle and the Cosmic Pirate

Synopsis:
A plump bespectacled old story-teller is about to relate one of his favorite tales when, through his own comedic bumbling, his story begins without him. Twinkle, a tiny dancing star, a villainous cosmic prate and the proud emperor of Eggcupdom become involved in their own adventures. The story-teller has a hard time keeping up with his characters, but after much suspense, song, dance and fun, he finally regains control and guides his story to a happy ending.

Notes:
music by Bernard A Aaron

1st Produced:
Toronto's Seneca College (Lawrence Campus)     17 Mar 1979

Organisations:
Renaissance Theatre

1st Published:
Playwrights Canada, 1985   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Children's musical (comedy)

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page