The bereaving youngster actually sees the figure of death: It is a deformed, portly workman wearing a smock and cap and toting a grindstone.

It shows Johnny his aspirations: he wants to be a doctor, then a painter, then a minister, but ends up being the postmaster in his hometown of Martinsville, United States of America.

Johnny later leaves to serve in World War II, and when he returns after nearly dying, he steals the girl of his dreams from his arch enemy Wilbur.

It was directed by Drew Scott Harris, musical staging by Janet Watson, set by Peter Harrison, costumes by Claudia Stephens, lighting by Kenneth Posner, sound by David Lawson, musical direction by Steven M. Alper, orchestrations by Douglas Besterman, and production stage manager was David Waggett.

It starred Daniel Jenkins as Johnny Pye, Spiro Malas as Foolkiller, Kaitlin Hopkins as Suzy Marsh, Peter Gerety as Wilbur Wilberforce, Tanny McDonald as Mrs. Miller, Ralston Hill as Barber, Mark Lotito as Bob, Michael Ingram as Bill, Conor Gillespie as Young Johnny Pie, and Heather Lee Soroka as Young Suzy Marsh.