Written by John Field
Dogworthy the magician is very clever ~ except when it comes to Road Safety! As soon as he hears an ice cream van, he runs out across the road … and gets hurt. So the audience help Holly teach him the magic formula: Stop, Look and Listen.
Together, they reinforce the message in so many fun ways that they are finally sure he will remember it. In the course of it all, Dogworthy conjures up games with traffic sounds, vehicles and pavement furniture to identify, and everyone practices road safety skills with a song.
Originally commissioned by Devon County Council
The Roadshow has toured for the local authorities of:~
BUCKINGHAMHIRE • CAMBRIDGESHIRE • DEVON • WILTSHIRE • SOMERSET • LUTON
DERBY CITY • DERBYSHIRE • LEICESTERSHIRE • SOUTH BUCKS • NOTTINGHAM CITY
SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE • CORPORATION OF LONDON
LONDON BOROUGHS OF LEWISHAM, ISLINGTON & KINGSTON
WINDSOR & MAIDENHEAD • KINGDOM OF FIFE • HANTS
“Serious and invaluable road safety messages while keeping the children entertained”
D. Burnett, Road Safety Division, the Department of Transport.
“I have no hesitation in recommending (the show) … to get the vital … message across to a first school audience in an engaging, entertaining and easily understood way.” Daniel McCarthy, Exeter Road Safety Officer.
“The audience all left smiling and happy - the children in love with Dogworthy; the parents saying what a good piece of theatre the ‘Roadshow’ is! !” Amanda Malpass, Croydon Warehouse, London.
Recommended maximum audience size: 150
Recommended audience age: 5-8
The show lasts about 45 mins
(then Dogworthy usually says Goodbye to each child as audience leave)
Technical Requirements
A minimum performance area of 2.2m x 2.2m.
2 x 13-amp power points.
A blackout not essential but will allow lighting to best effect
Sole use of hall during show &, ideally, during...
Preparation: 45 mins. before & 30 mins after show
Parking for van with closest possible access to performance area
Help carrying equipment when distance from van is long ~ and essential when steps involved, please
Shows Menu
Teachers’ notes
suggest ways to link
the Roadshow to
the Curriculum at
KS1 on :
- PSHE & Citizenship
(keeping safe) - Science (5 senses)
- Literacy (instructions)
- Geography (seasons)
When Road Safety Departments book the show, they usually ask Dogworthy to hand out fun ways to reinforce the road safety message. For example, we give them artwork to print colouring cards with a special message from them on the back for children to take home. Sometimes RSOs even find wonderful booklets of games & reflective badges & stickers for Dogworthy to deliver: then it positively feels like Christmas ~ only with a road safety theme!
