doollee banner
The Playwrights Database
contact doollee


Toby Hulse

TOBY HULSE  

 Nationality:    British
email:    n/a     Website:    n/a

Literary Agent:    Plays for Young Audiences


Toby Hulse is a playwright and director who specializes in making theatre for family audiences and in educational contexts. He has created work for theatres and companies across the UK, touring nationally and internationally. In addition to his work in theatres, Toby is a highly skilled creative practitioner, whose work ranges from one-off workshops to longer term partnerships, projects and residencies, with children and adults at all stages of their creative development. He is a regular Guest Tutor at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, teaching Improvisation, Clowning and Children's Theatre. Between September 1999 and March 2004, Toby was Associate Director of Education at Bristol Old Vic. He devised and directed professional theatre projects for schools; produced resources and led events supporting Bristol Old Vic productions; and created and ran workshops on theatre practice and history for children, young people and adults.

Buy Plays with Doollee

Each page of doollee.com has links to play/book outlets, either directly to the Publisher, through Stageplays.com and Amazon to the second hand and 1st editions of AbeBooks. These links will automatically take you to the relevant area obviating the need for further search.
AbeBooks.co.uk   AbeBooks.com   Stageplays.com   amazon.com   amazon.co.uk   amazon.ca
whether you are a Playwright who wishes to make their entry definitive, an unlisted Playwright or a User with a tale to tell - we want to hear from you.
download WORD submission template

below is a list of Toby Hulse's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

 Arabian Nights         Around The World In 80 Days         Bath Time         Brunel         Chatterbox, The         Gulliver's Travels         Home Delivery         Javier, Maria And Me         Lost World, The         Midsummer Nights Dream, A         No Loud Bangs         Romeo And Juliet         The Boy, The Baby And Loads Of Silly Noises (But No Loud Bangs. . .)         Tinderbox, The         Treasure Island         Twelfth Night         Wind In The Willows, The

Arabian Nights

Synopsis:
Long, long ago, in a faraway land of mystery and wonder, a cruel king listens as a beautiful princess tells him stories - magical tales of princes and fishermen, flying horses and fabulous treasures, talking animals and powerful genies. Will she find the one story that will save them both, and fill his heart with joy and love? Or is she doomed to die, and the king to remain forever alone? Full of mystical creatures, magical transformations and enchanting music, expect a show crammed full with delights and surprises drawn from one of the greatest collection of stories ever.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Company:
Watermill Theatre Company

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Christmas Show 105 min

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  24 characters (originally performed with 6 actors)

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Around The World In 80 Days

Synopsis:
The story begins with a bank robbery by a mysterious figure. Then we are introduced to Mr. Fogg, honest-looking, well-turned out and with good teeth. He is accompanied by his newly-acquired valet, Mr. Passepartout. Hot in their pursuit is the detective Fix of Scotland Yard, who thinks that Fogg is the man who robbed the bank. This mad-cap adventure quickly moves along on a succession of locomotives, steamers, and hilarity.

Notes:
adapted from Jules Verne's novel

1st Produced:

Company:
-

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
adaptation

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Bath Time

Synopsis:
Bath time - its all about getting clean, right? Wrong! Bath time is for splashing about, singing down the plughole, shouting up the taps and making bubble beards. a magical and perfectly silly show celebrating the games we all play in the bath - in words, music, dance and puppets, with lots of chances to join in.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Oxford Playhouse    01 Jun 2010

Company:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Childrens play

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Brunel

Synopsis:
a joyous celebration of the life, times and monumental achievements of Isambard Kingdom Brunel -the man who helped to build modern Britain.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Company:
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Chatterbox, The

Synopsis:
The rusty key in Billy's hand not only unlocks his missing Grandfather's shed but is the opening to an extraordinary detective story, tracing the stolen pieces from some of the greatest, and worst, writing in the world. Puppets, film and weird effects create a compelling theatrical treat for anyone over the age of 6.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Company:
Pickled Image (in collaboration with Bristol Old Vic)

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
TYA

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Gulliver's Travels

Synopsis:
This new adaptation of GULLIVER's TRaVELS by the South West dramatist Toby Hulse uses only three actors, a dinner table and a mountain of books, in a tour de force of theatrical storytelling. The Spitting Image of its time, GULLIVER's TRaVELS remains as viciously funny and as outrageously truthful as the day that it was first published

Notes:
from Book by Johathan Swift

1st Produced:
The Neeld Hall, Chippenham    13 May 2010

Company:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
adaptation

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Home Delivery

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Company:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Javier, Maria And Me

Synopsis:
The Basque children are the war's first evacuees, separated suddenly from their homes and forced to rely on the kindness of strangers. Javier, Maria and Me is a play by Toby Hulse. Based on their own accounts and memories it tells, using play, music and bold storytelling of the children's first months in England and of the strength and courage of young people surviving the awful consequences of adult actions.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
The Point, Eastleigh    11 Oct 2007

Company:
The Point Young People's Theatre

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Lost World, The

Synopsis:
bring your torches and get involved with this exploration of the depths.

Notes:
written by Toby Hulse And Vicky Andrews From Arthur Conan Doyle

1st Produced:
Bristol Old Vic, London    03 Apr 2009

Company:
Roustabout

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Midsummer Nights Dream, A

Synopsis:
In an Edwardian nursery, seven children decide to put on a play. They piece together A Midsummer Nights Dream, the funny love story surrounding the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta, four young and confused lovers, a play within the play, and the fairies that mess everything up.

Notes:
Original Playwright - Shakespeare, Adapted by Toby Hulse

1st Produced:

Company:
-

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
adaptation 55 min

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  7 actors

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

No Loud Bangs

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Company:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
TYA

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Romeo And Juliet

Synopsis:
Shakespeare's tragic romance of the Montagues versus the Capulets, with the star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet caught in the middle. This play begins with Emily, a young contemporary girl who discovers a book of Romeo and Juliet. As she begins to read, the characters come out of the book to enact the story. Emily thinks that the tale will end like all of her well-loved Disney movies, but she learns that not all stories have a happy ending. "Few have come up with [a Shakespeare adaptation] that works better, or even nearly as well as this adaptation by Toby Hulse&This production brings much enjoyment to the audience, and provides them with an admirable introduction to a great play". - This Is Bristol, UK

Notes:
Original Playwright - Shakespeare, Adapted by Toby Hulse

1st Produced:

Company:
-

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
adaptation 55 min

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  6 characters

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

The Boy, The Baby And Loads Of Silly Noises (But No Loud Bangs. . .)

Synopsis:
When Jake's baby sister was born, Mum told him there would be a few changes around the house. But he never expected anything like this! So, spurred on by his friends Clown, Giraffe, Peggy and Rabbit, Jake heads off on a mysterious adventure to discover what these changes are all about...

Notes:
music by John O'Hara

1st Produced:

Company:
Bristol Old Vic

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
TYA

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Tinderbox, The

Synopsis:
In recognition of the bicentennial of the birth of Hans Christian anderson, six stories have been drawn together for the Theatre School in an exciting adaptation by Toby Hulse. Four well-known tales: The Tinderbox, Little Match Girl, The Ugly Duckling and Red Shoes combine with lesser-known; The Shadow and Pa always Does the Right Thing, to firm this rich and creative producition - a treasure trove for both children and adults

Notes:
adapted from book by Hans Christian Anderson

1st Produced:

Company:
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
TYA

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Treasure Island

Synopsis:
Shiver me timbers, landlubbers, pin back your ears and Ill tell you a tale of mysterious strangers, mutinous pirates and buried treasure. Come aboard the good ship Hispaniola with me, cabin boy Jim Hawkins, and well sail across the seas on the hunt for Captain Flints hidden gold. Well outwit that old seadog, the notorious pirate Long John Silver and his madcap crew, but watch out for the black spot! Calling pirate girls and boys everywhere, heave-ho me hearties, were off on an action-packed, exciting, adventure! Don't forget to throw on your pirate costume and join in with the fun.

Notes:
By Robert Louis Stevenson, Adapted by Toby Hulse, Original music by Simon Slater

1st Produced:

Company:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
adaptation

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  2            Other:  doubling

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Twelfth Night

Synopsis:
An introduction to Shakespeare with a healthy dose of good old-fashioned nonsense for all ages. Olivias in love with a memory. Malvolio is in love with himself. Orsinos in love with love. And then you have Viola, a cross-dressing girl that mixes everyone up. This play is narrated by a contemporary Feste, who helps explain what is going on throughout. "This version is specifically adapted for the understanding of younger audiences with a mix of bold storytelling, imaginative staging and the power and beauty of the original text". - Theatre Bristol, UK

Notes:
Original Playwright - Shakespeare, Adapted by Toby Hulse

1st Produced:

Company:
-

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
adaptation 55 min

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  6 characters

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page

Wind In The Willows, The

Synopsis:
Ratty and his new friend Mole idle away the hours on the river bank little knowing that they, along with wise Mr Badger, are about to embark on a glorious adventure. In pursuit of his latest obsession, the motor car, the incorrigible Mr Toad turns their tranquil life upside down and lands himself in a whole heap of trouble - poop poop! an exciting tale unfolds as the friends try to outwit the weasels of the Wild Wood and fight to reclaim Toad Hall for its rightful owner.

Notes:
By Kenneth Grahame, Adapted by Toby Hulse, Original music by Simon Slater

1st Produced:

Company:
-

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
adaptation 105 min

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  16 characters (originally performed with 6 actors)

Further Reference:
-

Top of Page Top of Page









Apart from very popular and world touring productions, many performing arts events are largely forgotten about in a matter of months. Traces may remain in various collections, but few collecting agencies, such as libraries, catalogue each flyer or program individually. Hence, unless one knows that an event took place at a certain time in a certain place, tracking down such an event as part of a research project is often a matter of chance. Where research needs to be carried out on high profile and well-documented productions only, this is not a problem. However, both the historian and the analyst will attest that the cultural, political, or sociological context in which a performing arts event takes place is also of major importance, as are the other events that took place in close proximity, either in place or time. A good overview of such productions provides us with a 'social document' that can greatly enhance cultural studies in ways that extend far beyond the narrow confines of theatre history. For instance, data such as this can be used to monitor the health of communities, particularly when used in association with data obtained from other social science disciplines. When one researches a particular playwright one might want to know about all the productions of plays by that author; if one wants to investigate what choices a particular audience had over a period of history and compare this to, say, an ethnic breakdown of the population, one would need to know broadly all the events that took place during that time. If one wanted to do a statistical analysis on the shift in popularity of a genre over one or more generations, it is important to have knowledge of most of the relevant major and minor performance events that took place. In this context, issues of aesthetic quality and the professionalism of a production - which will of course have an impact on such studies - are not the determining factors when deciding to include or exclude events, since all events are the raw material for such research.