Musicline School Musicals
We'll Meet Again (Primary Production) Cover

We'll Meet Again (Primary Production)

by Keith Dawson & Gawen Robinson

Pricing & Order Info.

Life as an evacuee

NATIONAL CURRICULUM - HISTORY

  • 65 speaking roles (easily reduced if necessary).
  • Unlimited chorus parts.
  • Easy to stage: adaptable.
  • CD of Backing Tracks plus essential sound effects.
  • CD of Vocal Tracks.
  • Piano/Vocal Score available.
  • All Sound Effects Included On Both CDs.
  • Easily manageable props.
  • Duration - One hour 15 minutes.
  • Age range: Key Stage 2 (plus optional infant evacuees!).

September 1st, 1939 saw the start of the biggest and most concentrated mass movement of people in Britain's history. In the four days that followed the government announcement to "Evacuate forthwith", Operation Pied Piper saw nearly three million people transported from towns and cities in danger of enemy attack to places considered safer in the countryside.

The majority were schoolchildren, labelled like luggage, carrying their belongings in a suitcase and their gasmask in a box, accompanied by about 100,000 teachers acting as guardians.

"We'll Meet Again" follows the exploits of a group of children as initially, they are being prepared at school, just before the outbreak of war, donning gas masks, hearing sirens and being instructed in the safety of the shelters. Following the famous speech by PM Chamberlain, declaring that "We are at war", we see the children at the railway station making their tearful farewells before going on the adventure of a lifetime into the unknown.

All this of course, took place during what was known as the "phoney war", a time when many parents felt that the threat of bombing had been exaggerated. By early 1940, some sixty per cent of children had returned to their homes, something the government hadn't anticipated; after all, the evacuation was a voluntary scheme.

In Act two, we meet the children back home, bored stiff. Then, as the bombs begin to fall, the decision is made that the children must once more be evacuated to somewhere safe.

Finally, we jump forward to 1945 and the armistice. Children and parents are re-united once more as the show closes with the title song - "We'll Meet Again".

'We'll Meet Again' is a touching production following a group of British children as they try their best to escape from London during the Second World War; it will stir every type of emotion.

The opening scene tugs at your heart strings as wives part from their husbands, and girlfriends from their boyfriends as the men leave to join the armed forces; 'We'll Meet Again' follows. A siren takes you by surprise, and the scene evolves into a classroom where Miss Reynolds and her students keep their spirits high as they sing 'Air Raid.' Eventually, the ear-piercing sound fades out and Miss Reynolds instructs the children to put on their gas masks; some are more successful than others! As the air raid warning sounds again, a reprise of 'Air Raid' is sung.

The following scene occurs at a railway station, and after Chamberlain's speech persuading parents to send their children to the country, a number of interactions between families follow. 'Now Is The Time To Say Goodbye' is sung and the emotional exchanges are sure to produce tears as children are desperate to stay behind. Finally, the children arrange themselves in lines ready to embark on their 'adventure' and 'Now Is The Time To Say Goodbye' is repeated.

The arrival of the evacuees in the countryside is uplifting as there is a sense of excitement about the possibilities for the future. The children are handed their rations, and line up in preparation for an inspection for possible 'city nits' and 'dirty ears' and the indignation of the children is comical to watch; during the inspection 'I'll Take That One' is sung by the villagers. A crisis emerges as another group of evacuees enter, just as the villagers thought they had managed to house them all! Amusing dialogue is shared between the Barfoot and Teacher, both of whom insist the other is in the wrong; eventually the teacher wins the battle As the children wait for the problem to be sorted, 'Pastimes And Playtimes' is sung.

The following scene sees two evacuees; Terence and Ronald discuss their new homes with little enthusiasm but try to keep their spirits high during 'Life Goes On.' After a few teasing comments from country kids, the children play together happily whilst an evacuee, Margaret, attempts to write a letter home during 'Dear Mum And Dad.'

A sudden change of atmosphere occurs as the next scene sees the children back at home in London. They discuss the previous events as a 'Phoney War' and appear disheartened at being home with nothing to do and hearing explosions every night. However, the parents represent the stereotypical attitude of the British, and the older members of the audience will appreciate the patriotic 'Stiff Upper Lip.' However, the patriotism is drowned out by a siren and as night falls, several families gather together in the shelter. Unfortunately, they are interrupted by the Warden who tells them of a bomb that has landed silently nearby and urges them to evacuate the area as soon as possible. The characters appear disheartened as they realise things can only get worse and are faced with the realisation of having to send their children away again.

However, the audience do not remain saddened for long, as the appearance of a child called Brian with a 'sort of Welsh accent' welcomes the children to their second home in the countryside. Unable to understand his accent, the following scene provides some light relief for the audience. The children are quickly welcomed into their new homes, but some are astonished at their new routine, having to share a bath with six other children! It is appropriate that 'Bathnight Blues' should follow.

After a few screams from back stage, indicating that the children have stepped into the cold water, some of the other evacuees enter with their new friends and participate in harmless fun as they mimic their new head teacher. However, this fun turns out to be not so harmless when he overhears, (a lesson to all children!) 'Pastimes And Playtimes' is repeated.

The play returns to Terence and his new family where they are preparing for a visit from Auntie May. Unfortunately, no one looks forward to her coming and her early arrival causes everyone to get in a flap! However the attention is soon taken off Auntie May when Terence receives a letter from home that is full of bad news and forces him to return.

Luckily, this emotional roller-coaster of a production ends on a high as the cast celebrate the end of the war. The audience discover that Terence's news was not as bad as it seemed and everyone is happy to be back with their families. The stage is full of decorations, smiles and reunions and 'We'll Meet Again' ends the show on a high.

Speaking Roles by Number of Lines

N.B. In the following list, the number shows the number of spoken lines each role has. An asterisk (*) before the character's name indicates that this character ALSO has solo or featured sung lines.

Character NameNumber of Lines
Terence65
Miss Reynolds48
Harry46
Barfoot43
Mrs Pugh40
Alan39
Eileen39
Aunty May38
Ronald34
*Margaret33
Teacher 231
Mrs Davidson28
Wendy27
Mr Roach27
Brian26
Kath26
Mr Arnold19
John19
Beryl17
Tommy16
Mrs Fitzgerald16
Mrs Lloyd16
Minister16
ARP Warden16
Mr Nunn15
Geoff14
Ray12
Bert10
Mr Jenkins10
Mr Glenister9
Emmie9
Christine8
Jimmy8
Jean8
PM Chamberlain (Optional)7
Mr Jones7
Paul7
Mary7
Station Master6
Mrs Howe6
Gillian6
Alice5
Lil5
Mollie5
Mrs Evans5
Jack4
William4
Passer By4
*Villager 14
*Villager 24
Bus Driver4
Janet Lightly3
Child 12
Child 22
Child 32
Child 62
Mr Townsend2
Teacher 12
*Villager 52
Child 41
Child 51
*Villager 31
*Villager 41
*Villager 61
Jeannie1

Alphabetical Order (with Line Count)

N.B. In the following list, the number shows the number of spoken lines each role has. An asterisk (*) before the character's name indicates that this character ALSO has solo or featured sung lines.

Character NameNumber of Lines
Alan39
Alice5
ARP Warden16
Aunty May38
Barfoot43
Bert10
Beryl17
Brian 26
Bus Driver4
Child 12
Child 22
Child 32
Child 41
Child 51
Child 62
Christine8
Eileen39
Emmie9
Geoff14
Gillian6
Harry46
Jack4
Janet Lightly3
Jean8
Jeannie1
Jimmy8
John19
Kath26
Lil5
*Margaret33
Mary7
Minister16
Miss Reynolds48
Mollie5
Mr Arnold19
Mr Glenister9
Mr Jenkins10
Mr Jones7
Mr Nunn15
Mr Roach27
Mr Townsend2
Mrs Davidson28
Mrs Evans5
Mrs Fitzgerald16
Mrs Howe6
Mrs Lloyd16
Mrs Pugh40
Passer By4
Paul7
PM Chamberlain (Optional)7
Ray12
Ronald34
Station Master6
Teacher 12
Teacher 231
Terence65
Tommy16
*Villager 14
*Villager 24
*Villager 31
*Villager 41
*Villager 52
*Villager 61
Wendy27
William4

Non Speaking Roles: Sam, Peter, Family Group, Band, Chorus of Soldiers, Sailors, Women & Children.

5 Star Rating

We'll Meet Again (Primary Production)

"Great songs that help educate children and help them enjoy history in a more musical way amazing!"
Daniel M, Student, Fawcett Primary School, Trumpington

5 Star Rating

We'll Meet Again (Primary Production)

"At school, I'm never intrested in history BUT when I heard when our year group was going to perform this play at our Leavers Assembly I was so excited. I only play a minor part with 4 lines called 'William'. Anyways, a great production to help educate a child's mind in a fun, and easy way. Who needs lessons when you have this?"
Drew Bennett, Quensmead Community Primary School, Leicester, England

5 Star Rating

We'll Meet Again (Primary Production)

"What a wonderful way to show what life was REALLY like for children during World War 2; a term of history lessons in one production."
Denise White - Headteacher, Blakenhale Junior School, Birmingham

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Pack of 10 Scripts £55.00
Piano Score £16.00
CD of Backing Tracks + SFX £13.00
CD of Vocal Tracks £13.00

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Size of your School Size Price of Licence Price Qty Qty
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150-199 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) £25.00
100-149 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) £20.00
50-99 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) £15.00
0-49 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) £10.00
Youth Theatre (any size) £50.00

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150-199 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) £25.00
100-149 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) £20.00
50-99 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) £15.00
0-49 Pupils on Total School Roll (Ofsted Figures) £10.00
Youth Theatre (any size) £50.00