AustLit

Set in a variety of imaginary locations, including Elfland, a shoemaker's shop, King Jolly's throne room, Silver Sequin's Shop, a town street and a Big Country Shoehouse, the musical involves a large cast of actors, a number of which can be played by children. The central characters are: Slipper (Head Elf), Silver Sequin (the evil richest lady in town), Mr Buckle (a shoemaker), Carolinda (His daughter), Jingles (a good apprentice shoemaker), Lord Lopside, Dame Squeaky, Nasty Neville (Silver Sequin's Henchman), King Jolly and a host of elves.

The story revolves around a Shoemaker of the Year Award, sponsored by King Jolly. Silver Sequin means to win the prize, by any means possible, so that she can have the opportunity to wrap the king around her little finger, and also have all the knights grovel at her feet. The only person standing in her way is the kindly Mr Buckle. His shoes have recently started to become better than hers... but when Sequin finds out that he is not making them she wants to find out who is. Even Mr Buckle doesn't know. Apparently all he does is cut the leather and leave it out overnight. Next morning beautiful shoes have been made. When Sequin hides herself in Mr Buckles' shop she finds out that the shoemakers are elves, and that it is Slipper who holds the key to their magic. She kidnaps the head elf and starts to plan her victory. Meanwhile Mr Buckle and the other elves must find the skill and self confidence to make a pair of winning shoes without the help of magic. The elves learn that even magic is no substitute for trying with all of your might to do your best. Mr Buckle, too, learns that he is a much better shoemaker than he thought, and wins the award on his own merits. Even Sequin learns a lesson, and becomes a better person for it.

The songs originally written for the show were : 'We Are There' (Slipper and Elves), 'It's Not Much Fun' (Buckle and Carolinda), 'Work' (Slipper and Elves), 'Happy Shoes' (Lord Lopside, Mr Buckle, Carolinda and Jingles), 'By Appointment to His Majesty the King' (Sequin and Jingles), 'Happy Shoe Tap' (Elves), 'Every Week I Come To Town' (Dame Squeaky), 'Without Him' (Elves), 'Papa' (Carolinda), 'We're Going To Search' (Elves, Mr Buckle, Carolinda and Jingles) and 'You'll Never Get Anywhere Unless You Try' (Slipper, Mr Buckle and Elves).

Based on the favourite story by Hans Christian Andersen (q.v.), this 'children's Toyland musical," was created by Pinne and Battye as a follow up to their previous production Billabong Bill (1976). The story follows the adventures of a little tin soldier who is thrown out of a window by a wicked goblin. The soldier lands in a gutter and heads towards the sea. The original fairytale ending, in which the soldier is melted in an oven, has been changed so that he and the ballerina eventually get together.