Thwack!
A Musical Comedy by Andrew Curtis
Set in the sleepy English village of Bumblethorpe in 1958, Thwack! is a joyful, sharply observed musical comedy about cricket, community, and challenging outdated ideas — all with a generous helping of gin, gossip, and glorious batting collapses
At a glance
• Full-length original musical comedy
• Flexible cast with strong roles for women
• Ensemble-driven with character comedy
• Playable orchestration, adaptable staging
• Ideal for societies seeking warmth, humour, and heart
The score blends traditional musical theatre storytelling with a light period flavour, favouring clear melodies, ensemble numbers, and character-led songs. There is a strong sense of community throughout, with multiple opportunities for group singing alongside standout solos.
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Production Notes
Thwack! is designed to be lively, flexible, and fun to stage. It balances heart, humour, and community spirit with a strong period flavour, while leaving plenty of room for creative interpretation. The following notes outline the core requirements, but companies are encouraged to adapt the show to suit their own resources and imagination.
Set
1950s Village
Designed to be flexible and practical for a variety of performance spaces.
The story centres on a village cricket club in the late 1950s. Settings include the cricket pavilion, committee rooms, and local village locations, all of which can be suggested with adaptable pieces rather than full-scale realism.
Directors and designers are encouraged to be creative in keeping the staging fluid and uncluttered.
Costumes
Late-1950s Village Wear
Period-appropriate (late 1950s) village attire.
Everyday clothing should feel authentic yet manageable for cast members, with club blazers and cricket whites and pads offering visual variety.
A sense of community is key — costumes can help reflect character personalities and social standing..
Choreography
Light Movement
Primarily light, leaving scope for creative interpretation
One number features two dedicated dancers, while chorus movement is kept simple and minimal.
Cricket match sequences are staged in a stylised, expressive manner rather than literal action, giving room for imaginative choreography.
Band
Flexible & Playable
Woodwind, Brass, Guitar, Keyboard, Piano, Bass Guitar, Drums
The orchestration is designed to be playable and can be adapted to suit the musicians available to your company.
Synopsis
At the heart of the village lies its ailing cricket club, where the men struggle to win a single match and the women – the “ladies of the pavilion” – dutifully serve tea, pour drinks, and offer polite applause. Among them is Sophie, a bright, spirited young woman with a not-so-secret love of cricket, who’s been banned from playing by her traditionalist father, Henry, the club chairman. To him, cricket is a game for men — and men only.
As the team continues its losing streak, newcomer Steven Chambers arrives to try out. Unknown to the club, he’s actually the son of local property developer Trevor Barnes, who wants to buy the cricket ground as part of a lucrative scheme. Steven’s job is to infiltrate the team and help his father close the deal — but things don’t go to plan. Steven starts to fall for Sophie, bonds with the eccentric players, and begins to question his loyalties.
Meanwhile, Henry and the club committee are desperate for funds. At a shambolic meeting full of wild ideas — including naked calendars and dog shows — they settle on raising fees and entertain Trevor’s “generous” offer of sponsorship. Henry, seeing a way to save the club (and perhaps his pride), strikes a deal behind everyone’s back — including his wife Lavinia, the true power behind the scenes.
Sophie’s frustration boils over when her secret practice ends with a cricket ball through the greenhouse. A fierce confrontation with Henry follows, and he forbids her from playing again. But Sophie won’t give up that easily. As Steven grows closer to her and becomes a vital part of the team, tensions mount — especially when Sophie overhears Steven and Trevor arguing and realises the truth.
Enter the women of the village. Led by Lavinia, they declare a full-scale domestic protest: no cooking, no cleaning, no cricket teas — until the men listen and stop the deal. The resulting chaos leaves the men hungry, unwashed, and deeply confused. But Lavinia soon sees that saving the club isn’t just about opposing change — it’s about defending the spirit of community and standing up for what matters. She calls off the protest, choosing unity over division.
As the club braces for a final match and a vote on the future, Sophie takes to the field at last — challenging the village’s expectations and proving her place belongs among the players, not just the pavilion. Steven stands up to his father, Trevor is exposed, and the club pulls together in a heartfelt finale that celebrates tradition, teamwork, and the possibility of change.