Tom & The Magic Violin

Overview

Plot Summary

The violin-players of Fiddlers’ Town are enjoying a hoedown (song – Fiddlers’ Town), which is soon interrupted by Frosty and the Flooters, the resident flute-players. They ask why they, and their instruments, are made to feel second-best, and demand that the word ‘Flooters’ be included in the town’s name (song – What’s Wrong With A Flute?). The old mayor reluctantly promises to consider what they’ve said, and everyone turns in for the night. We then meet Tom, Lucy and Peter, who are all being kept awake by strange, distant noises (song – Sounds In The Night). They boldly decide to venture out and discover the source of these sounds – Tom feeling an unexplained need to take along his violin!
Soon, the three children become very lost….and very afraid! Hoping to lift their spirits, Tom plays a tune on his violin. The five random notes are nothing less than a summoning charm for a mysterious, magical wizard, who declares himself their new guardian! Whenever they are in need of help, he can be called with those same five notes (song – I’m Here To Help You). He tells the children they will find what they’re looking for in a castle called ‘Forte Loud’, which lies over the hill. He then disappears!
As Tom, Lucy and Peter approach Forte Loud, they are witness to a riotous, stomping all-night party, with everyone playing drums and trumpets! Having negotiated the bouncers, they are introduced to the jolly, charismatic Captain Blaster, and to the wild and unfamiliar sound of ‘Drum’n’Brass’ (song – Let’s Go To A Drum’n’Brass Party). In return they explain to the castle residents the musical wonders of the place they come from, Fiddlers’ Town, and Tom demonstrates the gentler sound of his violin, which summons the wizard once again! Bowled over by this strange, new, magical instrument, Captain Blaster agrees that the drummers and trumpeters of Forte Loud should accompany the children back to Fiddlers’ Town, so they can all combine their talents and make music together (song – March On Over The Hill). With yet more help from the wizard, they finally reach their destination.
After warmly welcoming their visitors, the Fiddlers and Flooters are ‘treated’ to a sample of Drum’n’Brass, but are immediately horrified at the racket created by the Trumpeters and Drummers! They ask them, in no uncertain terms, to leave, adamant that they would find playing together impossible. Desperate to save the situation Tom summons the wizard, who this time reveals himself to be a magical, musical, maestro conductor! He organises the instruments into orchestral groups and cleverly shows them how, with a little co-operation, their diverse sounds can produce beautiful music together (song – The Orchestra Samba). Everyone bathes in the new-found spirit of togetherness –everyone, that is, except Frosty, who is still unhappy that the Flooters don’t feature in the town’s name! The wizard suggests that, in recognition of the way all have learned to play together, they should change the name of the town to ‘Harmony’. As we say goodbye, even Frosty has to agree it’s a great idea! (song – Listen To Your Heart).