4. Norris in the Saint Patrick’s
Day Parade
Norris and Gertie Gobstopper walked off the stage to the
dressing room. They had come a long way since Norris the
pantomime horse had been a redundant pantomime horse
left in a dusty old room at J. Watts and Co theatrical costumiers.
Gertie Gobstopper was also a redundant pantomime dame.
They had been very famous as the dancing duo ‘Two in harmony’
but they had fallen out of favour with the public until they had
been asked to perform at a charity show on Broadway.
With the noise of clapping and cheering still ringing in their
ears they danced on the Broadway stage to a standing ovation.
“Well we’ve done it, would you believe it Gertie,” said Norris,
“Fancy, three curtain calls and the audience still cheering.
They must have liked us!”
The audience stamped their feet wanting more.
The little white mouse, Norris’ only friend, popped out of
Norris’ left ear and said: “They certainly liked you but you’ll
have to calm down, your head is on fire and buzzing. It’s sending
electric shock waves through my feet, I’ve got to keep hopping
from one foot to another to cool them down.”
“Cool your feet down,” said Gertie, “Look my feet are on fire
with all that dancing, just look at them. I’ve had to take my shoes
off, I’ll never get them back on again. Look Norris, my feet are all
red hot and throbbing. I couldn’t dance another step.”
“Don’t take your shoes off,” said Miss Worsley’s dog, Muffin,
“You’ll never get them back on again. I’ll get you a bowl of water
to soak them in.”
“Norris just look at my feet, look how swollen they are.
I don’t think I’ll ever dance again,” said Gertie.
4
6. Norris laughed as Gertie put her feet into the bowl of water.
“Do you know Gertie those feet look like pigs trotters and they
must be hot because steam is coming off the water. They must
have been very hot.”
“Well I don’t know about you but I’ve had a wonderful time
and I could carry on dancing all night. I never thought I would
have such an exciting time,” said Muffin, doffing his top hat,
twirling his silver- topped cane and spinning round like a top.
“I feel like Fred Astaire, the great American dancer.”
Just then Miss Worsley, wearing her red jacket, jodhpurs
and shiny black riding boots, came in with Brendan O’Toole,
choreographer and dance arranger.
“Well Norris the Broadway audience certainly loved you both,
Gertie Gobstopper and Norris the Norse. ‘Two in Harmony’ is
a big success. You have done so well that I have been asked to
fly you up to Chicago so they can put your picture in the Hall of
Fame.”
“Does that mean we are famous?” asked the little white
mouse, “Are Norris and Gertie superstars?”
“I think so,” said Miss Worsley, “Get yourselves ready,
we’re off to JFK Airport in half an hour.”
“Half an hour,” said Gertie, “I’ll never get my shoes on by
then and I’ve got to pack my ‘In-Case’ bag and you know
I HATE FLYING. My knees are knocking like castanets at the
thought of it and I feel sick.”
“You’ll be alright,” said Norris, “we’ll look after you.”
Gertie tried on her shoes but, like the Ugly Sisters in
Cinderella, they wouldn’t go on.
“They’re too swollen,” said Norris, “but you can’t go to
Chicago with no shoes on your feet. I know, Gertie, have you
any rubbing oil in your ‘In-Case’ bag?”
6
8. Norris went rummaging in her ‘In-Case’ bag and eventually
found the biggest bottle of oil you have ever seen and started to
rub Gertie’s left foot.
“Stop screaming Gertie. Don’t be so soft,” said Norris.
“We’ve got to get these shoes on.”
He rubbed and rubbed and pushed and pulled until the left
shoe went on.
“I don’t know how we are going to get the right one on.
Your big toe is like a great big fat sausage. I’ve never seen
anything like it.”
Norris scratched his head. “I know, you’ve got a great big saw
in your ‘In-Case bag’.”
He pulled the saw out of the bag and Gertie let out a
blood-curdling scream.
“Oh no Norris, please don’t cut my toe off, I’ll never dance again.”
“No silly, I’m only going to cut the front out of your shoe to
let your toe peep through and then we will stretch the shoe.
Come on Muffin, you pull the front and I’ll pull the back half.
Right now, one, two, three, pull, there you are,” said Norris.
“Gertie, jam your foot in.”
As she did that, Norris stamped hard on Gertie’s foot to make
sure the foot was firmly in the shoe. Gertie let out a very loud yell.
“What did you do that for?” asked Gertie.
“To make sure your foot was in the shoe,” they replied together.
Norris and Muffin stood either side of Gertie and pulled her up.
“Just put your weight first on one foot and then the other.
Now balance on one foot, then the other, now hop on one foot
then the other. Now WALK,” said Norris.
“Oh you are clever Norris. I can walk but I don’t think I’ll
ever dance again. I’ve now got to pack my ‘In-Case’ bag.
You know I have everything for every eventuality,” said Gertie.
8
10. “Hurry up Gertie, we can’t be late,” said Norris and Muffin as
they started to sing.
SONG
Rush, rush, rush, rush, rush we’ve got to get there Gertie
Rush, rush, rush, rush, rush to be there at 10 30
Rush, rush, rush, rush, rush, we’re off to the Windy City
Rush, rush, rush, rush, rush, we’ll be there in a jiffy
A yellow cab was outside waiting to take them from the
theatre. The taxi driver had a terrible job trying to lift the
‘In-Case’ bag into the trunk as it was so heavy. In the end
Norris and Brendan O’Toole had to help him. Muffin sat next to
the driver with the driver’s hat on, giving a running commentary
as to where they were. At last they arrived at JFK Airport and
Norris and Brendan O’Toole had to lift the ‘In-Case’ bag out of
the trunk.
“It’s a good job it’s got wheels on as we’d never carry it
through the airport,” said Norris.
Suddenly Norris threw up his head, neighed loudly and started
galloping so fast through the airport with Muffin holding on to
his tail. He looked as though he was flying.
“Look, look there’s Captain Hulley and Air Hostess Glynis
“They are going to fly us to Chicago,” said Norris.
“Hi Norris, hi Gertie,” said Captain Hulley, “I believe you have
been a thundering success, I certainly am going to fly you to the
Windy City. Norris, Miss Worsley and the little white mouse are
going to sit in the cabin with our Air Hostess, Glynis. Muffin is
once again my co-pilot, so you need to put on your flying helmet,
goggles and scarf so you can be a real pilot.”
“Now Gertie I know you are frightened of flying so I’ve come
up with a good idea. Get your parachute out of the ‘In-Case’ bag
and put it on. I will switch the engines on and the draught will
float you up onto the wings. Then you can give me the parachute
10
12. through the open cockpit window and I will drag you in.”
Gertie did as she was told and dived head first through the
window but her skirt flew up over her head and she looked ever
so funny with her legs flailing about until Captain Hulley grabbed
hold of her and pulled her into the cockpit.
Captain Hulley started the engine and Muffin, as co-pilot,
said over the intercom “Now boys and girls fasten your seat
belts, relax and then we are off to the Windy City where we
will land at O’Hare International Airport and be met by the
Lord Mayor.”
“The Lord Mayor, oh my goodness,” said Gertie, “I can’t have
my photograph taken in this hat. I’ll have to go in my ‘In-Case’
bag as I brought the special hat I wore for Ascot.”
On arriving at O’Hare International Airport Miss Worsley and
Brendan O’Toole embarked first and shook hands with the Mayor.
“May I introduce Gertie Gobstopper and Norris the Norse,
‘Two in Harmony’. They have just raised a lot of money for the
children in the Hale House in New York. Come along now we
must get your photograph taken,” said Brendan O’Toole.
“You’ll have to wait a minute as I will have to get my
Ascot hat out of my ‘In-Case’ bag. I must look my best,”
Gertie said, adjusting her Ascot hat on her head.
“Could we also go on the photograph?” asked the little white
mouse and Muffin, “We’re part of the double act too.”
“Of course,” said Norris.
Muffin put on his top hat, white tie and twirled his silver
topped cane. The little white mouse just leaned out of Norris’
left ear and said: “All I can do is smile.”
The photographer took a beautiful picture which the Mayor
hung on the wall and surrounded it with twinkling lights,
underneath it said ‘Two in Harmony the fantastic money raisers’.
12
14. “I’m glad I put my Ascot hat on,” said Gertie giving a little twirl
with Norris, “It does look splendid.”
Just then the Mayor started to put up a picture of a big black
stallion with a white star on his forehead. Standing and watching
nearby was the Black Stallion. Norris went across to introduce
himself and shake his hand.
“I’m Norris and this is Gertie Gobstopper. Who are you?”
“I’m Teabag the fastest racehorse from all Ireland and I’ve just
won the Triple Crown.”
“Teabag, that’s a funny name,” said Norris.
“Well it goes a long way back to my family who came from
Ballyknock Te Hall in Kilkenny, Ireland and many years ago
my great great grand daddy lived there with his twin brothers
Declan and Dermot. They were very strong and their job at the
hall was to cut the peat for the fire. There was no central heating,
bales of hay or straw for the animals and they grew potatoes for
the winter.
“One winter the potato crop completely failed and all the
potatoes went black smelly and mushy. Soon there were no
potatoes for dinner and they usually lasted all winter so
everyone was very very hungry.”
“You mean there were no crisps, no chips, no mashed potato
or roasties for Sunday Dinner? I couldn’t do without my crisps,”
said Norris.
“You don’t have to,” said Gertie rushing forward, “Just pass me
my ‘In-Case’ bag.”
She opened the bag and gave everyone a packet of crisps.
“I told you my ‘In-Case’ bag was useful. I can’t believe there
were no potatoes for the whole winter,” said Gertie.
Teabag started to tell the story: “ It was a very, very bad winter
with lots of snow and ice. The snow was so deep it went right up
to the windowsill. One night they were all sitting down around a
14
16. very low fire trying to keep warm when a howling wind blew up.
It whistled through the keyhole, through the cracks in the door,
through the windows and eventually down the chimney, putting
the fire out.
“Everyone was shivering and very cold. Just then the wind
got stronger and stronger and started to loosen the thatch of
the roof made of straw. The wind blew and blew and slowly it
got under the thatch, lifting it clean off, so there was no roof.
Everyone was cold because the fire had gone out, shivering
because the roof had blown off and very hungry because there
were no potatoes. No crisps, no chips, no mash and no roasties
for Sunday lunch – can you imagine that?
“Great great grand mammy started to cry, her teeth were
chattering. “Whatever are we going to do, we can’t live like this,”
she said. Declan and Dermott got up, stretched their big muscles
and said, “There is only one thing for us to do. I believe there is a
boat in Dublin taking workers to England to dig the Manchester
Ship Canal. That’s our only chance but we’ll have to hurry to see
if we can all get on board.”
“Declan and Dermott packed their picks and shovels.
They knew that they could do the job as they were very big
and strong. They set off at a fast gallop. Great great grand daddy
and great great grand mammy set off after them but great great
grand mammy only had little legs and was very delicate and
couldn’t keep up with Declan and Dermott.
“She started to cry and was very breathless. She told
great great grand daddy to leave her and go off after Declan
and Dermott but he wouldn’t leave her so he just trotted along
by her a slower pace. When they got to Dublin the boat was just
leaving with Declan and Dermott on board. Great great grand
mammy started crying: “We can’t go back home. The house is
wrecked with no roof, there’s no fire and no potatoes.”
16
18. “It’s alright,” said a sailor, “Don’t cry, just go around the corner.
There’s another boat leaving for America, you can jump on that.”
“But we’ve only a little money,” said great great grand daddy.
“It doesn’t matter,” said the sailor, “You can sail steerage,
that means below decks.”
“Whatever will we do when we get there?” asked great great
grand mammy, as she was very scared of going to new places
or doing anything new. “Don’t worry,” said the other passengers
who were all Irish and were all in the same boat, “As long as we
stick together and help each other out we will manage.”
Great great grand mammy felt better as she now had friends.
They all stood on the deck as they passed the Statue of Liberty
and cheered, “We’ve come so far we can’t turn back, we’ll have
to make a success of it.”
Great great grand daddy wanted to know where everyone
was going once they had embarked so they all said “Chicago -
the Windy City.” So great great grand daddy said “We will come
with you.” That’s how they settled in Chicago and started a stud
farm and I am the result,” said Teabag, shaking his thick black
mane and rearing up on his hind legs to show his muscles and
how strong he was.
“I am Bally Knock Teabag, winner of the Triple Crown.
My picture is now in the Hall of Fame like yours. I know that
you two are dancers, but I bet you don’t know the Kilkenny
Dash. It was an Irish folk dance to commemorate the dash from
Kilkenny towards the boat for England because everyone was
cold as there was no peat for the fire and hungry because of the
potato blight. Shall I show you how to do it?”
Teabag stood up straight with his arms still to his side but
his knees and feet flew like pistons.
“Teach me, teach me,” said Gertie, “ But I’ll just have to put a
shamrock in my hair, get my Irish dancing costume out of my
‘In- Case’ bag and my tap shoes. There, I’m ready.”
18
20. “You look like a real Irish Colleen,” said Norris.
Brendan O’Toole, choreographer and dance arranger was very
impressed and said, “Do you know that I was an Irish Dance
Champion from County Wicklow?”
“Really?” said Norris, “I didn’t know.”
Miss Worsley loved the dancing but thought it would be better
if they had some music. They couldn’t dance without music.
“Don’t worry,” said Teabag, “I’ll send for Kelly O’Reilly the best
fiddle player in the whole of Ireland.”
When Kelly came she had the most beautiful red hair, she was
an absolutely stunning Irish Red Setter. Tucking the fiddle under
her chin, she started to play. Muffin’s heart went boom, boom,
boom, he had never seen anything as beautiful as Kelly.
“Now Muffin, you can keep time for the dancers playing the
bodrhum or celtic drum,” she said.
So Muffin sat next to Kelly to provide the music. Teabag was
in charge and lined everyone up. First Brendan O’Toole then
Gertie, Teabag and Norris.
“Now all of you, arms stiff by your sides, body stiff, the only
things that move are your knees and ankles, they should move
like pistons.
20
22. DANCE
Kilkenny Dash – (shuffle to treble) (treble and back)
1 R Shuffle, hop, step, L shuffle, hop, step R shuffle, hop, step,
click, click
2 L Shuffle, hop, step, R shuffle, hop, step L shuffle, hop, step,
click, click
R going forwards step, ball, change
L going forwards step, ball, change
R going backwards step, ball, change
L going backwards step, ball, change
Gallop to R 4 counts – click, click
Gallop to L 4 counts click, click
Turn to R 4 counts
Turn to L 4 counts
Click to R click to L
R foot forward stamp, stamp
“You are a fantastic dancer Teabag,” said Brendan O’Toole,
“Will you come to the Hollywood Bowl with us and dance for the
children? We must also take Kelly O’Reilly with us as she’s the
best fiddle player I’ve ever heard and Muffin can mark time with
the bodrhun. We have also got six chorus girls:
1. Louella a southern belle
2. Goldie from Wyoming
3. Sioux an American Indian
4. Sunny from California
5. Lorraine from New York
6. Conduita from Mexico”
22
24. “They certainly will make a good display with everyone in
Irish costumes and shamrocks in their hair. I think we will be
a sensation. I think you all deserve a treat before we go.
My cousin Captain Andy O’Toole and First Mate also have a
pleasure steamer on Lake Michigan called The Celtic Drum.
We could all go for a sail around the lake.”
“Oh, that would be great,” said Norris and Muffin, in harmony.
“Come on then, said Brendan O’Toole, “All down to the Navy
Pier and we’ll find Captain Andy.”
“Oh!” said Gertie, “I’ll be seasick – I don’t like water!”
Muffin was very excited and had his arm around Kelly
O’Reilly as he tap danced all the way to the pier. He started to
sing “With a shillelagh under my arm and a twinkle in my eye,
I’ll be off to the Hollywood Bowl in the morning.”
Everyone laughed and started to join in. When they arrived
at the Navy Pier, Captain Andy was laughing.
“I could hear you coming a mile off,” he said. “This is Celtic
Drum,” he added, showing off the pleasure steamer, “My pride
and joy! First Mate Cleo, help everyone on board.”
“I think we should get Gertie on board, just as she’s scared
of sailing.”
“Now come on Gertie we’ll take your ‘In-Case’ bag on first
as it is so big then we can get you settled.”
“First Mate Cleo, lead Gertie up the gangplank,” said the
Captain. “Hold her tight so she won’t fall.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” said Cleo, “Just hold the rail Gertie and
I’ll hold your other hand and up we go.”
“Norris be careful of your hooves, it’s ever so wobbly,”
said Gertie.
“There you’ve managed it,” said Cleo, “Just sit down on the
deck and you’ll have a good view of Lake Michigan.”
24
26. “Not before they’ve all got their sailors’ hats and collars and
I must have my lifebelt, water wings, flippers and snorkel out of
my ‘In- Case’ bag, you know I hate sailing,” said Gertie.
Just then there was a real commotion on the pier as two
evil-looking men appeared either side of Norris. They were
wearing black hats pulled over their eyes, black coats with the
collars turned up and black shades. They looked very frightening.
“We’re Bill and Ben the kidnap men We’ve come to steal
Norris You’ll make us money by the ton Or else you’ll have to
face this great big gun.”
BANG! BANG!
“You’ll sing and dance all the day To make us money and
your hay We need the money NOT the children We know you’ve
got gold in them there hooves.”
They then shot at Norris’ feet and laughed with each other.
“Go on Norris, dance, dance, show us how you’re going to
make us rich, very rich.”
Norris looked very scared, his knees were knocking and he
started to cry. A big teardrop fell down his cheek. The little white
mouse hung out of his left ear.
“Whatever’s going on?” he asked.
“I was just putting on my sailor suit ready for the sail.
It’s these men, they’re going to kidnap me and make me dance
for money,” said Norris.
Bill came and grabbed hold of Norris’ mane and Ben put a
big rope around his neck. Norris was struggling and trying to get
away. He lifted his front feet in the air and gave out a very loud
neigh. Gertie heard the commotion and looked up and saw the
evil men standing either side of Norris.
26
28. “I think they’re trying to steal Norris,” said Cleo, “They said
they’re Bill and Ben the kidnap men and they’ve come to steal
Norris.”
“Steal Norris, steal Norris, we’ll see about that. Get my
‘In-Case’ bag Cleo,” said Gertie.
She started rummaging about in it throwing everything out of it.
“There I knew we’d need them at some time,” said Gertie as
she produced two shiny red boxing gloves, “Now Cleo lace them
up for me.”
Which Cleo did, then with a roar, a hop skip and a jump she
ran down the gangplank at top speed and said, “You think you
are going to steal my Norris, you’ve not met me yet.”
She stepped back, flexed her muscles, swung her right
shoulder back and punched with all her might at Bill’s chin.
It was a hefty upper cut and as quick as a flash she gave Ben
a swift left hook to his chin. Bill fell backwards over the rope
that Norris had tied around his neck and Norris lifted his hoof
and stamped hard on Bill’s toe. Bill started to cry.
“Right o, right o” said Bill.
“What do you mean, right o?” asked Gertie
“Right o, he’s standing on my right toe,” said Bill.
“Well Norris keep standing on it until they get arrested,”
said Gertie.
Gertie was dancing around, sparring and punching the air.
“Now Ben, do you want another left hook or will you just
go quietly,” she asked.
“No Mam, I’ll go quietly,” he replied.
Just then two big policemen arrived on horseback.
“We’re from the Chicago Police Precinct and we’ve come to
arrest you both.”
28
30. “If you don’t go quietly I’ll give you another, one... two,
so don’t bother us again,” said Gertie. “I knew these would
come in handy,” she said, unlacing her gloves. “My father was
a British boxing champion and he taught me how to box.
Do you know Norris, I feel quite refreshed and I’m looking
forward to the sail,” she said.
Gertie continued: “Come on Captain Andy let’s cast off.
I’m quite excited. Come on Norris let’s forget all about that,
we’re going to have a good time.”
“You were very brave Norris so you can sail the boat. Hold on
to the tiller. Now you’re in charge. Gertie you ring the bell to let
everyone know we’re leaving the dock,” said Captain Andy.
Muffin climbed the mast, his sailor’s hat perched cheekily on
his head. He looked quite comfortable sitting in the crow’s nest.
He put his telescope to his eye and shouted to Gertie, “I hope
you’ve got a lot of dollars in your ‘In-Case’ bag as there is the
biggest shopping mall I’ve ever seen, you’ll have a great time.”
“Oh just look to starboard, there are all multi-coloured fish.
I think it’s an aquarium and some of the fish are ever so big.”
“Do you know I can see lots of animals, I think it must be a
zoo. There are lions, tigers and elephants. Chicago is a great
place there’s lots to see.”
Just then a bell rang.
“Is that you Gertie ringing that bell?” asked Captain Andy.
“No,” said Gertie looking round to see where the ringing was
coming from, “It’s First Mate Cleo’s cell phone.”
“Yes,” said Cleo, “We have Miss Worsley on board.
Miss Worsley it’s for you hoo.”
Miss Worsley took the phone.
30
32. “Yes Emma we’ll be there as soon as possible. Listen all, that
was Emma Siddle from the Francis House Children’s Hospice,
we have got to go back to New York she has arranged for us to
be in the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.”
“Don’t worry we’ll just be a little late.”
They all ran down the gangplank onto the Navy Pier.
“Come on Muffin we can’t wait too long for you. Just remember
I’ve had to slide down the mast and I’m puffing and blowing like a
steam train.”
Captain Hulley was waiting at the airport to fly them all back
to New York.
“Hurry all of you we don’t want to miss the Parade,”
said Gertie who started rummaging in her ‘In-Case’ bag.
“Miss Worsley you need the green riding jacket of Ireland
instead of your red one. Norris I have a shamrock for your
forelock and green ribbons for your mane. Brendan O’Toole
you are already dressed in your Irish dancing clothes.
Just look at my beautiful green Irish dress with a shamrock in
my hair I’ll be the belle of the ball,” said Gertie.
“But what about us?” asked Muffin and the little white mouse.
“I wouldn’t leave you two out, here are two green satin jackets.”
“Here we are,” said Miss Worsley in Central Park,
“They have converted the truck into the Celtic Drum.
Hurry Muffin up into the crow’s nest. Norris you can be at
the helm steering. Gertie you must ring the bell. Isn’t it
exciting and aren’t there a lot of trucks in the parade.
“Oh look we’re off now down Fifth Avenue,” said Gertie.
“I like all the marching bands,” said Norris, “I feel like dancing.”
32
34. “Oh look,” said Gertie, “We’re in Herald Square. Look at the
Irish dancers. There’s Annie Murphy, Teabag, Kelly O’Reilly.
Let’s get off. The dancers are dancing the Kilkenny Dash,
we can join in Norris.”
Muffin grabbed a bodrhun and started to mark time and
Norris and Gertie joined in the dance with the little white mouse
hanging out of Norris’ left ear. The crowd clapped and clapped
then Gertie went in her ‘In-Case’ bag and gave everyone a packet
of crisps telling them that Ireland had no potatoes, no crisps, no
chips, no mashed potatoes and no roasties for Sunday Dinner.
“I’m sorry we’ll have to go,” said Miss Worsley, “Come on
Norris, come on Gertie, we’ve had a great time but we’ve got to
get to Hollywood. Bye.”
THE END
34
35.
36. Recommended retail
price £5.00.
All profits go to
raising funds for
Francis House
Children’s Hospice.
This is the story of the Irish potato famine and exodus to America as told by
Norris the pantomime horse and Gertie Gobstopper the pantomime dame.
Modern children cannot imagine life without a potato.
The Francis House Children’s Hospice in Manchester cares
for terminally ill children and Anne chose their charity to raise funds.
About the author
Anne Signol started the Sigfield Follies, a song and dance troupe,
featuring an actual Norris the Norse character, in order to raise money
for local children’s charities. The interest generated in Norris through
these shows inspired Anne Signol to write about his adventures and
assemble them into a show entitled Norris on Broadway.
Now Norris travels to New York for the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade to
raise money for the Francis House Children’s Hospice.
In the Saint Patrick’s
Day Parade
WRITTEN BY ANNE SIGNOL
Illustrations by William Scott Artus
