''The Ideal Gnome Expedition'' (sometimes called ''Chish 'n' Fips'') is a British musical play, with book, music and lyrics by children's playwright David Wood. It was first staged in 1980, and has since been adapted as a TV series and staged by several companies, including amateur groups. It tells of the adventures of a pair of garden gnomes who decided to take a vacation and set out looking for a sunny island.

Production

David Wood is known for his children's plays. The play was commissioned from Wood by William Gaunt, director of the Liverpool Playhouse. The play was advertised and first staged as ''Chish 'n' Fips'', but when it was written the plot ended up with no connection to the title. It was produced in southern England in the Christmas 1980–81 season. Later it was put on at

Sadler's Wells Theatre Sadler's Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue in Clerkenwell, London, England located on Rosebery Avenue next to New River Head. The present-day theatre is the sixth on the site since 1683. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500-seat ...

, London by Whirligig Theatre, and went on tour in the autumn of 1981. The play continued to be performed throughout the 1980s. Wood changed the name to the more descriptive ''The Ideal Gnome Exhibition'' in 1981, although it reverted to its original title when it became a television series and a book. According to the author, the idea of changing the name to ''The Ideal Gnome Expedition'' came after he had read an article about the

Ideal Home Exhibition The Ideal Home Show (formerly called the Ideal Home Exhibition) is an annual event in London, England, held at Olympia . The show was devised by the ''Daily Mail'' newspaper in 1908 and continued to be run by the ''Daily Mail'' until 2009. It wa ...

. When the play was adapted as a television series the producer said he preferred the original title ''Chish 'n' Fips'', and the series used that name. In the TV show, produced by Central Independent TV, the two garden gnomes live in the garden behind a fish and chips shop. The play has two acts and six scenes. There are six roles.

Clive Mantle Clive Andrew Mantle (born 3 June 1957) is an English actor. He played general surgeon Mike Barratt in the BBC hospital drama series ''Casualty'' and '' Holby City'' in the 1990s, and Little John in the 1980s fantasy series ''Robin of Sherwood' ...

starred in a production of the play. Chris Clarkson played the character of Wacker in a David Bown production of the play. The play was revived by the Hartley Players in 2010.

Plot

The story tells of two

garden gnome Garden gnomes (german: links=no, Gartenzwerge, lit=garden dwarfs) are lawn ornament figurines of small humanoid creatures based on the mythological creature and diminutive spirit which occur in Renaissance magic and alchemy, known as gnomes. Th ...

s, Mr. Fisher and Mr. Wheeler, who decide to leave the yard to explore the world and find a holiday island, but who find the urban town setting confusing until they meet the cat Chips, who helps them navigate the city and find their island. The outcome is different from what they expected, but they agree that it was the best holiday they had ever had.

Reception

A 2005 staging in Leeds was called "A charming production by the Leeds Children's Theatre with a captivating storyline for youngsters". The reviewer said "The songs and music for this production is by David Wood OBE, and this again is aimed very much at the level of youngsters, being catchy, melodic and simple but effective."

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ideal Gnome Expedition, The British plays 1981 musicals Children's theatre