The Moonrakers – World Premiere in Bangkok

The world of Musical Theatre welcomed a new addition to the repertoire recently with Nicholas Keyworth’s The Moonrakers, a companion piece to the 2024 Story of the Great White Horse…

Inspired by the legend of the Devizes ‘Moonrakers’ in the south of England, this show with words by Philip Jamieson is set around the cool waters of a pond. And there are quite a variety of pond dwellers in this show: ducklings, cygnets, goslings and moorhen chicks, all played by children aged 7-11 wearing hats which double up as masks together with coloured socks hinting at their individual characters. 

Overseeing them is a graceful swan named Hong – Thai for Swan. This professional role for a female singer/narrator looks to the planets to give stability to their fragile world, and to the old oak tree which stands next to the pond giving shade from the sun by day – and obscuring the moon at night. 

All this changes dramatically when a freak storm causes havoc to their peaceful world and the great oak tree comes crashing to the ground.

The menacing character of Storm is played by a professional dancer who also steers the choreography of the show.

Described as a mini musical, this a fully staged work designed with young performers in mind. Therefore it is a perfect introduction to musical theatre.

‘In no way is this a simple ‘children’s musical’. It is a complete piece of musical theatre involving young people in singing, acting and movement as they work alongside a professional singer and dancer with a live band and conductor’.

Nicholas Keyworth, composer

The show also works on another level with a warning about the impact of climate change on our planet and with Hong’s realisation at the end that it is not the planets which keep us safe, it is down to us to look after our own planet Earth because ‘Nature has the answers – if we listen to her rhyme’.

The work can be performed with piano or backing tracks, but it really comes alive with a five piece ensemble.

A minimalist set with a pool of light reflecting on the stage suggests the pond, and some amazing video projections are particularly effective at creating a violent storm complete with sound effects.

The Moonrakers was premiered on Saturday 22 March at the Bangkok Arts & Cultural Centre. It was commissioned by the Spotlight Performing Arts Festival with support from EduProgressand Trinity College London.  

The Moonrakers will soon be available worldwide as a complete digital download package consisting of the complete script and musical score, backing tracks, mask templates, performance directions, video projections and performance licence.