These images accompanied a live performance of Debussy’s Toy Box by the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, which was narrated live and included audience participation. I’ve added notes under the images to include a little of the story that was told as the slide was shown.
Discussion: have you ever wondered what your toys do while you’re away?
introduction: the soldier
the doll
pulcinella (the doll’s boyfriend, but he’s not very nice)
the doll’s friends
pierrot & Harlequin
the street with an old fashioned street lamp & Toy Shop (I threw in the Birmingham Library for a bit of personalisation)
we look inside the shop. the doll wakes up
she starts walking around the shop in time to the music
She finds a light
She finds a music box & starts it up. the others awake
The dolls start playing with other toys. Pulcinella, Harlequin & Pierrot start making fun of the dolls
A soldier pops his head out of the toy box to see what’s going on. just when you thought it couldn’t get any stranger...
... an elephant strolls into the shop. he’s grumpy. the music box starts to play some music that is supposed to calm elephants
the elephant is unimpressed and wanders off!
the toys take turs to dance
they dance together
a sailor appears and joins in!
the doll has taken a shine to the soldier. she drops a flower to get his attention
He is delighted and picks it up
unfortunately, Pulcinella gets cross and punches the soldier
the toy box opens and this time a Captain appears
the dancing is getting pretty crazy More and more toys join in
Through the window we start to see daylight. a passing policeman looks in & scares the toys. he cannot believe his eyes
exhausted from the night’s events, the dolls sleep again
Pulcinella and the Doll have escaped from the toy shop! he is whispering “sweet nothings� to her.
“Will you marry me Pulcinella?� the doll asks.
Pulcinella just laughs!
we hear the sound of soldiers. it’s the soldier and captain from the toy shop! and the soldier is still carrying the doll’s flower!
The Captain points his sword at Pulcinella
Pulcinella runs away. the soldiers realise he has probably gone to get friends to come back and fight So they form ranks and prepare for battle.
Pulcinella returns with his own army
There is a fierce battle...
... until both sides retreat
the soldier is wounded. He has the flower on his heart
Pulcinella creeps back to examine the soldier
He laughs at the flower, steals his rifle and runs off
the doll wants to nurse the soldier back to health. she helps him up
fast forward 20 years. The soldier and the doll are married
the doll sings - Not the most pleasant noise! But the children dance along anyway
we see the toy shop again. the soldier salutes - THE END