The Gingerbread Man

Where it came from

The Gingerbread Man was written as a Christmas show for the Towngate Theatre in Basildon. David Wood didn’t want to retell the traditional story of the Gingerbread Man but to create a new and original story with a Gingerbread Man as its hero. He had always thought that a Welsh dresser would make a great set for a play and this felt like the moment to use it.

Where it went next

The Gingerbread Man had its first London seasons at the Old Vic in 1977 and '78. It has since had a number of West End seasons as well as being performed all over the country by professional and amateur companies. It is also poplar abroad from Scandinavia to Australia, Germany to Japan.

Associated stories

David Wood has written many plays for children of all ages, including The Plotters of Cabbage Patch Corner, The Selfish Shellfish and Hijack over Hygenia. His adaptations of popular stories include such well known classics as Spot’s Birthday Party, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Babe the Sheep-Pig, The Witches, The BFG, Tom’s Midnight Garden and Goodnight Mr Tom.