In 2007, a student called Nick Hutson wrote a Just William play as part of his degree in Musical Theatre Writing at Goldsmiths College, London.

It was a 50 minute one act musical with a cast of 12 with a book, music and lyrics byNick.

I can do no better than quote Nick himself:-

"It was great fun to write and to watch it come to life and the show was well received by the audience. The school informed me as this was an examination, there was no need to get permission."

"It was staged for two nights in September and each production played to a full house and very appreciative audiences.
I've always thought Just William would work very well for a musical - especially in this country. The beauty of Richmal's comic writing made it a pleasure to adapt for songs - and plus the long-gone-British feel that the stories evoke is wonderful for audiences of today. And, of course, the music was fun to write as it was a chance to play around with the 1920s styles. Of course, there are many things I want to change now I look at the video - but I am happy with how the production worked out.
The key moment, especially for today's audience, is Mrs. Brown's song at the end - Just A Boy. The moment in the song where Mrs Brown says "let him be just William" received, on the first night, many gasps from the audience, which of course, I loved hearing!"

 

The show is available in 5 parts on YouTube to watch:

Part One http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwLgPqlZ408

Part Two http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T_5YIijsns

Part Three http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9Awqh2poAA

Part Four http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnUmWryjymU

Part Five http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58udDM3FGXw