(Specially written and arranged for children's performance)
The story about Dick Whittington is number 81 in the collection Books for the Bairns but only the third in a series subtitled Little Plays for Little Players (Cinderella and The Sleeping Beauty being the first and the second).
Dick Whittington was a real person, yet the tale about him and his cat significantly differs from the historic records. In our case, the play differs even more.
The book starts with a few words about Richard Whittington who lived in the 15 century. Some stage directions and tips on casting follow. The play is written in verse with occasional notating.
The main attraction for our site, dedicated to Brinsley Le Fanu, is, of course, his illustrations.
So let's go through all of them (a few are even partly colored by unknown inspiring artists) and try to check the story by the way.
Scene I
Road near London
It starts with a monologue. Dick has no parents or anybody else. He has no money and is willing to test his luck in London. As we can see, here he has the cat from the very beginning (in the 'original' he buys it, which can be understood as an investment).
Dick and his cat are the sign noting there is only one mile to London. Yet they are both tired and fall asleep. We soon realize they are going out of London.
Two fairies appear and foretell fortune and happiness to Dick Whittington.
When he awakes, he believes he dreamt about fairies. They are still somewhere in the background singing about his future as a mayor of London.
Alice and Jack come by to Dick who is still one mile away from London. They are offering him some food and money. We find out Dick was working in the kitchen and treated very badly.
But thanks to the voices of the fairies he decides he is going back to Fitzwarrens.
Scene II
Kitchen in Fitzwarren's House
Yet things are not promising. At least at first.
Dick and his cat are always guilty of something, being this true or not.
The cook believes she is still too mild.
Then the Captain enters. He is bearing good news. There is a ship ready to sail away to a very rich country (island) where a lot of opportunities to get rich will show. It's kind of trading paradise.
The cat is as interested as everybody. The cat begs to go with others.
Dick is not very happy with the cat's wishes. Eventually, he agrees and the cat can go with the sailors. Alice plays an i, important part in this decision saying she can marry him only if he is rich and the cat can help him with that.
The Scene III
King of Barbary's Palace
The story continues with the king and the queen of the island where the ship with Dick's cat is coming.
The kingdom is loaded with gold but there is no bread in town. Loads of rats destroyed everything edible. Everybody is afraid that the rats might eat them as well.
Then the ship with the captain and Jack Fitzwarren comes.
The king is happy seeing them but can't offer them anything due to rat infestation. Captain suggests they call the cat to kill the rats.
The cat really succeeds. The rat problem becomes history in no time.
Islanders are excited. They are willing to pay any price for the cat.
The cat is sold for a fortune and a celebration follows.
Scene IV
Kitchen in Fitzwarren's House
Alice has got good news. The ship with Jack is back.
Dick wants to run out with others. The cook is not happy with that. Again.
Jack returns without the cat. He sold the beast. For one hundred sacks of gold! The cook is happy with the captain's return as well. She got a precious necklace for a ribbon. The housemaid got a valuable ring for her brass thimble.
And what did Alice get for her ring? A sister-in-law - the princess of Barbary! Jack proposed to her!
Everybody looks happy and Alice suggests greater things can happen yet.
The play ends with fairies dancing around Dick and Alice.
This story is (understandably) deeply rooted into English tradition. Yet it shares a lot with globally much more known classic fairy tale Puss in Boots, coming from France (with predecessors in Italy and Persia). You can compare it with this version:
