The Playwrights Database
DENNIS WILLIS (1955 - )
Nationality: Britishemail: Click here to contact Website: Click here
Literary Agent: n/a
Dennis Willis was born in the small town of Banbridge N. Ireland, in 1955, and moved with his family to Sheffield, England in 1967. He spent over thirty years as a painter and part time writer, before switching to full time writing. His passion for English pantomimes led him to found Limelight Scripts, online publishers of English style pantomimes, plays and musicals. Where he now publishes his own and other authors work online.
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below is a list of Dennis Willis's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
Aladdin Babes In The Wood Cinderella Dick Whittington Jack And The Beanstalk Robin Hood And His Mery Men Robin Hood And The Babes In The Wood Sleeping Beauty Treasure Island Wizard Of Oz, TheAladdin
Synopsis:
Comedy and intrigue in the far East, or is it the middle East? Widow Twankey's laundrette isn't making money, but then a sinister stranger by the name of Abanazer appears offering riches to Aladdin in return for retrieving an old lamp. Things are looking up for the Twankey family. Unfortunately, Aladdin is more interested in trying to catch a glimpse of the Princess Jasmine than making money. And aided by his brother Wishey, he turns up uninvited at the Sultan's palace. Things don't look good when he is discovered and sentenced to death. Abanazer saves him from execution, but a worse fate may await Aladdin when he is forced to enter a dangerous cave. But help is at hand in the shape of a Genie and the Spirit of the ring.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Newcastle 2005
Organisations:
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1st Published:
Limelight Scripts, 2005 -
Music:
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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:
Christmas Pantomime, 2 act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: variable
Further Reference:
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Top of PageBabes In The Wood
Synopsis:
The wicked prince John has plans to capture and kill his brother King Richard's children and claim the throne of England for himself. But he reckons without their faithful guardian, Nurse Neuralgia. Prince John enlists the greedy sheriff of Nottingham to do his dirty work for him, and he in turn employs two idiot baddies, Riff and Raff. This turns out to be his mistake, and the babe's good fortune. There is the traditional schoolroom room scene, which develops into a slapstick baking scene. Add in Robin Hood and his merry men (well two of them anyway) the sheriff's idiot son (who joins Robin Hood's gang) and you have an instant recipe for medieval fun and games.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Sheffield 2006
Organisations:
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1st Published:
Limelight Scripts, 2005 -
Music:
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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:
Christmas Pantomime, 2 act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: variable
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageCinderella
Synopsis:
Cinderella's cruel stepmother, Grimelda, is trying to get her hands on the deeds to castle Liberty. And feeds old Baron-Von Trapdoor her special 'herbal tea' in order to achieve her wicked aims. This panto follows the traditional line, which sees Cinderella worked hard by her stepfamily. Then not being allowed to go the ball, before eventually being helped by her fairygodmother. Featuring, traditional character, such as Buttons the butler, who dreams of being a great inventor. And ugly sisters, Bella and Donna. Dandini and Prince Charming. Additional characters include Max. Cinderella's brilliantly clever dog. And Dim and Wit, two gullible jobseekers. There are two hilarious sketches involving the ugly sisters and Buttons. One is where the ugly sister's think they are watching changing rooms on TV, and the other is when they try out Button's new beauty measuring machine, with hilarious consequences.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Birmingham 2005
Organisations:
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1st Published:
Limelight Scripts, 2005 -
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:
Christmas Pantomime, 2 act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: variable
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageDick Whittington
Synopsis:
King Rat has plans to use his hoards of rats in order to bring London to its knees and take it over. But he reckons without our brave hero Dick Whittington, who arrives, in London penniless with his trusty cat companion by his side. Dick finds work with helping Sarah the cook at alderman Fitwarrens shop, which is in imminent danger of going bust. Fitzwarren entrusts Dick with guarding his safe containing the money to pay for his business trip overseas. But King Rat steals the money and frames Dick, much to the dismay of the alderman's beautiful daughter Alice who has fallen in love with our hero. Dick leaves London and the action moves onboard the ship the Saucy Sal bound for Morocco. Dick is discovered onboard, and the ship is eventually wrecked in a storm brought about by King Rat. But all is not lost. Protected by fairy Bowbelle all safely land on the shores of Morocco, where King Rat is defeated thanks to Tommy the cat. Other characters include a totally inept captain Bilgewater, and two scheming council workmen, Shovel and spade.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Sheffield 2005
Organisations:
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1st Published:
Limelight Scripts, 2005 -
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:
Christmas Pantomime, 2 act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: variable
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageJack And The Beanstalk
Synopsis:
The village of Merrydale is being terrorised by the giant Blunderbore and his henchman Fleshcreep. The king and queen are forced to act as rent collectors assisted by law enforcers Push and Shove. Who threaten Dame trot and her family with eviction when they can't pay up. There is the traditional dairy scene with Daisy the cow before Jack reluctantly sells her to raise the rent money. But then returns home only to discover that he has been tricked into selling Daisy to Fleshcreep. His bag of gold has turned into a pile of beans, and his girlfriend Jill has been captured and taken up to the giant's castle in Cloudland. Jack then climbs a beanstalk which has magically appeared overnight, in order to rescue Jill and Daisy. In Cloudland he encounters an inept wizard and his group of elves. This panto gives great scope for magical singing and dancing scenes. There is also a great comedy scene featuring Push and Shove. The other characters eventually join Jack in Cloudland and rescue Jill and Daisy. They escape from the castle and reach the top of the beanstalk to find the wizard has installed a lift on it. Giving rise to more comedy. A traditional storyline with some new twists and plenty of audience participation.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Sheffield 2006
Organisations:
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1st Published:
Limelight Scripts, 2005 -
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:
Christmas Pantomime, 2 act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: variable
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageRobin Hood And His Mery Men
Synopsis:
Shenanigans in Sherwood, sees Robin Hood and his hapless band of misfits pit themselves against the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John, who are assisted by two clueless sidekicks, Smash and Grab. When Friar Tuck is kidnapped the merry men enlist the help of the mercenary Wise Woman, only to find they can't afford her prices. Wonder at the suicidal bravery of Little John, and join in his latest fire fighting routine. Witness the slapstick (optional extra scene) trial of Friar Tuck, and scratch your head in bewilderment at the stupid guard's sketch. And get ready to enjoy a musical treat from the Alan-A-Dale collection of single tune songs. Meet Dame Courgette, who worries in case she has a bear behind. And hair therapist Will Scarlet, who worries about everything. Add to this Friar Tuck's infamous turnip stew, plus a manic jailer with a taste for rats. And you have a recipe for laughter, sure to be reported by the constantly appearing CNN news reporter.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Whymondham 2004
Organisations:
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1st Published:
Limelight Scripts, 2004 -
Music:
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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:
Christmas Pantomime, 2 act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: variable
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageRobin Hood And The Babes In The Wood
Synopsis:
Mind boggling medieval mayhem sees King Richard away on a overseas crUSAde. allowing his power mad brother, Prince John and his wife Arachnid, to tax the peasants to the point of starvation. And now they plan to away with his heirs Rosie and Jim, and install themselves as King and Queen of England. But first they will have to overcome Robin Hood and his merry men, self appointed guardians of the poor and downtrodden. This rollicking panto is choc full of fun and games, including a magic disappearing act, a weightlifting contest, several classic comic routines, schoolroom frolics, and nursery capers involving ghosts.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Kings Lynn 2005
Organisations:
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1st Published:
Limelight Scripts, 2005 -
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:
Christmas Pantomime, 2 act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: variable
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageSleeping Beauty
Synopsis:
Dame Thyme's family has hit on hard times, and she and her son Justin have been surviving on a diet of beetroot for months. Justin is sent off to the village to pawn his mother's wedding ring, and there he meets Princess Nightingale the beautiful daughter of the toffee nosed king Rolo. Who is masquerading as a villager in order to escape the attentions of the evil witch Zendora. Later the action heats up with the preparations for the royal ball, and we meet the feuding royal cooks Salt and Pepper. Who play out a vigorous slapstick kitchen scene with comic villains Sage and Onion, in a hilarious send up of the `Can't cook won't cook' TV programme refereed by the foppish royal Valet. This panto has plenty of comedy, and great scope for audience participation. Plus a village idiot who wanders through scenes for no apparent reason carrying an ever present cardboard box, the contents of which keeps everyone guessing and involves the audience in the `What's in the box Walter' routine. And not forgetting the climax when Dame Thyme's dark secret is finally revealed.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Horncastle 2004
Organisations:
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1st Published:
Limelight Scripts, 2004 -
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:
Christmas Pantomime, 2 act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: variable
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageTreasure Island
Synopsis:
A comic reworking of the Robert Louis Stephenson swashbuckling classic, a tale of pirates, kidnapping, and buried treasure. This version follows Stephenson's timetable of events faithfully, from the Benbow Inn to Bristol docks, and then a sea voyage to the island where the treasure lies hidden. But everything else in between is pure pantomime from start to finish. Henrietta Hawkins and he son Jim, find themselves caught up in a pirate feud, which sees them fleeing the Benbow Inn and ending up on the Saucy Sal with the naive Captain Smollet and his camp first officer Mr Arrow. Along with Squire Trelawney and two reluctant sailors, Fore and Aft. Captain Smollet gets them and the audience involved in a hilarious nautical routine. But unbeknownst to him, Long John Silver and his band of pirates have managed to get themselves on board and eventually take over the ship, and strand them all Treasure Island. This is the starting point for more comedy involving a demented Ben Gunn, a ghost and a six-foot invisible pink rabbit called Roger. In the end the pirates are defeated, and they all return home rich. The final scene is capped by the entrance of Ben Gunn's 'invisible' pink rabbit, appearing on stage draped in jewellery.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
Dumfries 2006
Organisations:
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1st Published:
Limelight Scripts, 2006 -
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:
Christmas Pantomime, 2 act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: variable
Further Reference:
-
Top of PageWizard Of Oz, The
Synopsis:
The surreal world of Oz gets even more surreal when our heroine Dorothy and Toto are joined by Dorothy's Aunt Em. This time the land of Oz also plays host to the king of rock'n'roll Elvis Aaron Presely, who came on a tour with the Colonel, but they separated and now he can't find his way home. And joins Dorothy, Aunt Em, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and Tinman in their quest to reach the Emerald City and persuade the Wizard to help them get back home again. Add to this a nasty witch and her winged monkey's, offset by two good witches who try to help Dorothy and her friends. And you have the traditional story of The Wizard Of Oz with some funny twists. There is also plenty of audience participation throughout, as Aunt Em enlists their help in making sure that her 'Ding-A-Ling' is well catered for.
Notes:
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1st Produced:
St Ives 2006
Organisations:
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1st Published:
Limelight Scripts, 2005 -
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:
Christmas Pantomime, 2 act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: variable
Further Reference:
-
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