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| Author | Beatrix Potter |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Beatrix Potter |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Frederick Warne & Co |
| Publication date | 1903 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| ISBN | NA Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
| OCLC | 884366 |
| Preceded by | The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin |
| Followed by | The Tale of Benjamin Bunny |
The Tailor of Gloucester is a children's novel by Beatrix Potter that was first published in October 1903. The story tells of a group of mice helping a tailor finish his work in time for Christmas. It is traditionally read to children on Christmas Eve, just before bed time.
Synopsis
This book tells the story of a poor tailor in Gloucester, his cat, and the mice that live in his shop. The tailor has many scraps of cloth and ribbons left over that are too small for any practical use. The mice take these and make fine clothes for themselves.
The tailor sends his cat Simpkin to buy food and a twist of cherry-coloured silk for a waistcoat the mayor has commissioned for his wedding, which will take place on Christmas morning.
While Simpkin is gone, the tailor finds mice in teacups where Simpkin has imprisoned them. The mice take advantage to get away. When Simpkin returns and finds his mice gone, he hides the twist in anger.
The tailor falls ill and is unable to complete the commission. But when he returns to his shop he is surprised to find the coat completed. The work has been done by the mice who are grateful because the tailor rescued them from his cat. However, one buttonhole remains unfinished because there was "no more twist!" Simpkin gives the tailor the twist to complete the work and the success of the coat makes his fortune.
Background
Potter had heard of this story while visiting a cousin, Caroline Hutton, though in fact the work had been secretly done by the tailor's very human assistants.
The picturesque building that was used as a model for the illustrations of the tailor's shop in the story is located near the wall of Gloucester Cathedral. It is, externally at least, virtually unchanged from Beatrix Potter's time. It currently houses the Beatrix Potter Museum and sells Beatrix Potter memorabilia.
Adaptations
In 1988, Rabbit Ears Productions, (Now Rabbit Ears Entertainment), produced a storyteller version. It featured narration by Meryl Streep, drawings by David Jorgensen and music by The Chieftains.
The 1989 British The Tailor of Gloucester TV movie was a live-action adaption featuring Ian Holm and Jude Law.
An animated adaptation of the story was featured on The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends in 1993, with Ian Holm providing the voice of The Tailor.
In 1994, West Yorkshire playwright David Foxton adapted the story into a two-act children's play - with music by David Fletcher. The first production of the play was held by the Dewsbury Arts Group.
References
- "The Tailor of Gloucester". Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter, published by F. Warne & Co., 1989
- "Beatrix Potter's Gloucester". Retrieved 2007-08-21.
External links
- The Tailor of Gloucester at Project Gutenberg
- The Tailor of Gloucester at Internet Archive. London: Frederick Warne & Co,. 1903. Scanned book, illustrated.