The Show
A brief summary of the show, from an acoustic guitarists perspective.
Band comes on. We have to look like we’re busy so all randomly play an “A” (we’d actually mostly tuned up before the doors opened) the line up is (L->R) Greg, Lizzie, Me at the back - Justin, Chris at the front and the four brass out to the side.
Lizzie waits for green light and plays a bassy chord, Justin stands in the spotlight and plays an intro…
and then the interlude is off!
people run in from the left and dance around in the middle before finding their positions. The chorus is organised into different “Types” of people, this includes Punks, Geeks, Chavs, the Elderly etc etc…. the geeks are first on (one is in a star trek uniform).
The jurers, usher etc… also come on.
a few introductory songs are sung that outline the plot (not really important).
I play quite a bit during these numbers (1a 1b and 1c)
Then the defendent comes on and sings a couple 2 & 3 - I don’t play at all here, there are some nice touches in these songs including a “Pretty Vacant” nod… “tic a tac” or something.
The judge comes on and sings a couple 4 & 5 - again with the touches - including house of the rising sun. I play a bit in 4 and quite a lot in 5. There’s a fun bit in 4 where it all goes a bit twee. The soaks audience loved it.
Song 6 see’s the cowgirls, including the rather attractive triumvirate of Bex, LW and Frankie, come on. I think these are the “Bridesmaids” in the original. the Judge (Pete Roberts) plays my guitar whilst I stand back and watch. The cowgirls finish up standing in front of me, so any vision of the audience is lost.
Song 7&8&9 are all about the judge and jury falling in love with the “bride” who came on late in song 6, and the defendent falling out with everyone. I play snatches. Is “ahhh… Sly Dogs ahhh….. Sly Dogs” in one of these songs - probably!
I may have some of the following in the wrong order
Song 10- “I’ll marry one today and t’other tomorrow” - I play a little bit.
Song 11- play lots at the beginning “Marry two girls at one time is burglar-ee”
Song 12 - a nice dilemma? quality bit in the middle where everyone goes silent and then the cast all start doing rhythm sounds like sighing, rustling paper etc… building up into a drummy bit with two drummers and then a triamphant return to the song. The show doesn’t really let up after this one. I don’t play during this one so can stand back and enjoy it.
Song 13 - Bride tells how she loves defendent (or something) I play no part. “Let’s Get him drunk and try” “With all respect I do object” “I do object” “I don’t object” “I’ll marry her myself!”
Song 14 - Joy Unbounded! with a good fun ending which I play lots in.
then we repeat the last three pages again (the best bit) whilst everyone leaves.
for the last show we got an encore and played the interlude again.
I don’t suppose many people will read this post, but if you did - good for you!
triumvirate? I think you have swallowed a dictionary. Who would’ve thought you’d have room?
Comment by Cowgirl no. 3 — November 28, 2005 @ 2:31 pm
it was only a collins mini- one…
Comment by hoose — November 28, 2005 @ 2:52 pm
Good stuff!
BTW, I think it’s “burghery” rather than “burglary”…not entirely sure why. Maybe you should have swallowed the Shorter Oxford instead?
Oh, and I’m still not sure whether three girls can make up a triumvirate. It’s just not right!
Comment by Mahinda — November 29, 2005 @ 5:24 pm
heh, I know originally it relates to three blokes but the common meaning now-a-days is just a “group of three” or at least that’s how I see it, anyway it related to three councellors really, who were all men in Roman times hence three “men” but that’s not really appropriate any longer, so I’m happy with the word
in Justin’s script it’s spelt “Burgla-ree” (I think) hence the spelling of that one.
Comment by hoose — November 30, 2005 @ 1:38 pm
I always thought it was burglary. And the other bit is tic-a-tank.
Comment by Alsion OBH QDB — November 30, 2005 @ 2:44 pm
but what on earth does it mean?!
Comment by hoose — November 30, 2005 @ 3:29 pm
Mean?!? It’s supposed to mean something??
Comment by Alsion OBH QDB — December 4, 2005 @ 12:38 pm
Tink-a-tank - onomatopoetic sound of a guitar (or ukulele)
Comment by Alsion OBH QDB — December 4, 2005 @ 12:44 pm