Written originally as a stage musical under the title Scraps. It was adapted by Jeremy Paul, Leslie Stewart and Keith Strachan from a televised version of the Hans Christian Anderson story. Jeremy had already fleshed out the story from the original and this version was developed even further. The musical opened at the Orange Tree Theatre in December 1977 directed by Jeremy Paul. This televised version was rewritten from the stage version and was recorded in Cardiff for HTV in 1986. 

Cast (in alphabetical order)

• Christina Avery                 First Tart
  
• Fanny Carby                     Washerwoman
  
• Roger Daltrey                   Jeb Macklin
  
• Paul Daneman                  Mr. Fairbrother
  
• Nicola Dawn                      Lisa Fairbrother
  
• Kelly George                     First Urchin
  
• Pearl Hackney                   Mrs. Prothero
  
• Eithne Hannigan                Second Tart
  
• Ian Hooper                         Second Urchin
  
• Michael Horden                  Introduction
  
• Jimmy Jewel                       Butler
  
• Stratford Johns                  Rich man
  
• Patricia Lawrence              Maud
  
• Jennie Linden                    Mrs Fairbrother
  
• Natalie Morse                     The Match Girl
  
• Russell Lee Nash               Arthur
  
• Paddie O'Neil                     Cook
  
• Dorothea Phillips               Winifred
  
• Jemma Price                      Charlotte Fairbthr
  
• Robert Putt                        Landlord
  
• John Rogan                        Pie Seller
  
• Twiggy                               Josie Roberts