Five Children and It

If you could have one wish what would it be?

Sent away to live in the countryside with their reclusive uncle, five children discover a secret that’s been hidden away for centuries: a magical, mischievous but somewhat grouchy Sand Fairy called It with the power to grant spectacular wishes. There’s just one catch...

As the children set off on a series of fantastic adventures, they soon learn that wishes can get you into a whole heap of trouble. Perhaps a wish granted isn’t always the dream come true you might expect!

Marietta Kirkbride’s sparkling take on Five Children and It, the classic story by E. Nesbit, is published in Methuen Drama’s Plays For Young People series which offers suitable plays for young performers and audiences at schools, youth groups and youth theatres.

Marietta Kirkbride is a writer, dramaturg and violinist from rural Herefordshire, now based in Bristol, UK. She is co-founder and associate artist of award-winning theatre company Bucket Club (a Farnham Maltings produced company). Her theatre work has been produced for rural touring networks and presented at venues including Bristol Old Vic, Watermill Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath and Birmingham REP. Her audio work has been produced for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Edith Nesbit (1858-1924) was an English writer and poet, who published her books for children as E. Nesbit. She wrote or collaborated on more than 60 such books.