Script Gel Senior.pdf - Musicline

CONTENTS, ContinuedAct TwoScene One The Meadowlands Arts CentreSequence Fifteen Sequence: Martial Arts* Mr Weng & Youth GroupSong Sixteen Walking Tall Youth GroupScene Two Emily’s HomeSong Seventeen Someone EmilyScene Three The StreetSong Eighteen The Force is with Us P.C. Baxter & W.P.C.MorrisonSong Nineteen Friday Night The Gang Boys & GirlsSequence Twenty Sequence: The Fight* Youth Group Teenagers &The GangSong Twenty-one Something Good Youth Group Teenagers,Gang, P.C. & W.P.CScene Four The Meadowlands Arts CentreSong Twenty-Two You Are My Song Michael & DebbieSong Twenty-Three This World Of OursYouth GroupSong Twenty Four Finale: Gel The CompanyPage 4© Musicline Publications 2002

DRAMATIS PERSONAEAdultsMaleANDREW MORTON,P.C. BAXTERMR WENG,FemaleSUE,MRS FLETCHER,W.P.C. ANGIE MORRISONEither SexCHRIS,the Youth Group’s Director (Could be female withname changed to ANDREA)the Martial Arts instructor. (Or name correspondingto the nationality of the actor)the Choreographerthe Refreshments Ladythe Musical Director.The Youth GroupMaleNICKDARRENMICHAELRICHARDWILLIAMKIERENFemaleKARENANNEEMILYDEBBIEMOLLYTRACEYEither SexTHE NARRATORPage 5© Musicline Publications 2002

Plus (in the “BOADICEA” number)4 ROMAN SOLDIERS & THEIR LEADERBOADICEAPlus others (Chorus) ad libThe GangMaleLUGGER,SQUID,BOOTLICK,PROFESSOR,LAPTOP,ARMLOCK,BUZZER,MARY,the Leaderthe Ideas Manthe Whingerwho has an O Level.the ladies manthe ‘Heavy’the Loose Cannonwith the deep gruff voiceFemaleDEIDREGLORIAHARRIETJULIELIZSHARONSELENAVICKYThe Youth Group YoungstersMalePETERSHANEDEANJAMIEPage 6© Musicline Publications 2002

FemaleZOEREBECCASARAHKATIEPlus others (Chorus) ad libAndTWO SMALL KIDS, the children of Mrs. Reed(NB All names may be changed, if wished, to those of the actual actors involved.[Youth group only, and not, of course, in the BOADICEA number])Page 7© Musicline Publications 2002

ACT ONESCENE ONE – THE MEADOWLAND ARTS CENTRE(The setting is the rehearsal area. Just like any school rehearsal – a few chairs withbags and jackets on and around them. Displayed prominently is the sign“MEADOWLAND YOUTH THEATRE”.)(A group of Older Teenagers [14-18] is lined up to rehearse a routine. They are: -Boys: DARREN, KIEREN, MICHAEL, NICK, RICHARD & WILLIAM.Girls: ANNE, DEBBIE, EMILY, KAREN, MOLLY & TRACEYPLUS optional chorus.(With them is a group of youngsters [11-13, and younger if possible]. They are:Boys: DEAN, JAMIE, PETER, SHANE.Girls: KATIE, REBECCA, SARAH, ZOEPLUS optional chorus.)SONG ONE – FORWARD TO THE PASTYouth Group:Forward to the past, that’s where we’re gonna take you.Forward to the past, to see how things wereA trip way back in time.Get ready to blow your mind!For wherever you want to go, we’ll take you there.(Music quietly under as THE NARRATOR STEPS FORWARD – or if he/she s a nonsinger,enters.)Narrator:Yes, folks, we’re taking you a wild trip, to see how this world of ourshas developed from the primitive savagery of the Iron Age to thesophisticated savagery of the 21 st Century. We bring you 5000 yearsin 90 minutes, so fasten you seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy ride(The Narrator joins the rest, or exits)Youth Group:Forward to the past, that’s where we’re gonna take you.Forward to the past, to see how things were.A trip way back in time.Get ready to blow you mind!For wherever you want to go, we’ll take you there.Forward to the past, forward to the past, forward to the past,Forward to the past! (End of song)(Youth Group freeze in their positions. Enter ANDREW)Page 8© Musicline Publications 2002

Andrew:Good evening. I’m Andrew Morton, director of the Meadowlands YouthTheatre, and what you have just seen was the opening number of theirlatest show, “Forward To The Past”, a Historical Pageant, much ofwhich they wrote themselves.It was the biggest success they ever had, even though, like mosttheatre shows, putting on involved lots of frustrations, tears andtantrums - mostly from me!But what made this so different from the many other pieces I directedwith the group, was that the kids had to show an extraordinary amountof guts and commitment to come through a crisis that could havescuppered the whole project.This, then, is their story. Let us begin with a couple of months beforetheir opening night, when they were rehearsing a routine Sue, ourchoreographer…(Exit Andrew. Enter Sue)Sue:Alright, everyone… (The Youth Group come out of their ‘freeze’)into positions and let’s try the Dance number again. [Moans from theYouth Group as they sort themselves out] I should be the one that’smoaning, you’re ruining my steps. Now, let’s get it together. (Musicstarts. She counts the tempo) 1...2...3...4...MUSIC 2 –DANCE ROUTINE(All go into the routine, with Sue mirroring their actions, and calling out variouschoreographic instructions. But they don’t do it very well, and after a while Sue callsout “Stop! Stop!”, and the music and routine comes to a halt.)Sue:Karen:Sue:Karen:Molly:Mrs Fletcher:That was terrible! Michael, you forgot what you were supposed to bedoing. Shane, you went completely the opposite way to everyone else.(The youngsters laugh) William, you were a beat behind all the waythrough. Debbie and Zoe, your arms were all over the place – and mostof you were dancing like it was a vicarage tea party. (Karen Giggles)It’s nothing to laugh about, Karen. I’ve seen you clubbing. Why can’t todance like you do there?That’s different, innit? You go clubbin’ to pull blokes.It’s the same thing. You’re dancing here to pull the audience.Yeh, but we ain’t got an audience, do we? Only Mrs Fletcher wot doesthe refreshments. (Some laughs)And she’s too old to go pulling(Off-Stage) Oh, no, she isn’t! (All laugh)Page 9© Musicline Publications 2002

Michael:Debbie:Michael:All:Sue:Nick:Tracey:Nick:All:Peter:Emily:Richard:Michael:Debbie:Anne:Karen:All:Darren:Anne:Darren:Kieran:Karen:Darren:All:Can Mrs Fletcher take my place? Can’t seem to get the hang of all thisdancing.That’s cos you don’t know your left foot from your right.Al least I know where my brain is, stupid!Ooo! (The rising inflection “OOO!” There us obvious tensionbetween Michael and Debbie)Alright, alright, cut it out. I can see we’ve when I come back, let’s getdown to some real work, shall we? (Sue exits. All relax into casualattitudes)hump? I ain’t got the hump.No, you got two humps, Nick ‘cos you were dancing like a camel.Yes, and you were singing like one!Ooo! (The rising-inflection “OOO!” again)If you’d only got one hump, you’d be a dromedary. Learnt that off, mecomputer.It’s not fair, though. We pay two pounds every week to come here, andall we do is get shouted at.We can get that for free at home.Sue was right, though. We were terrible.Speak for yourself!It’s her choreography that’s terrible. (Some murmurs of agreement)Yeh. Makes me feel like a dormitory.Dromedary!No, fair dos. Sue knows what she’s doing. We’re just too tentative.Alright, Darren, if you’re such a know-it-all, let’s see if you can do anybetter.Why not? Come on, everyone, let’s try it again.But we’ll still make mistakes.And my feet are killing me.So what? Let’s go for it!Yeh! (They leap to their feet)Page 10© Musicline Publications 2002

All:Boys:Girls:All:SONG THREE – GETTING’ IT TOGETHER(Verse 1) Learning a routine, putting it together,Ain’ as easy as it seems.Needs concentration,Needs co-ordination,Else it falls apart at the seams.Boys:All:Girls:All:Girls:Boys:Girls:Boys:William:All:Boys:Girls:All:Boys:All:Girls:All:(Refrain) Getting’ it together…Yeh! Yeh!Stepppin’ out together…Wo! Wo!Gotta hit the beat, keep it neat,Gotta keep in line all the time,We’re getting’ it together now!(Link) How we hate our choreographer!She gives us a really hard time!She makes us do it over and over again.But still we’re a beat behind!Beat behind…Muscles aching and sore,Yet still she asks for more! More!More! More! More!(Verse 2) Learning a routine, putting it together,Will we ever get it right?Pick it up faster,Don’t want a disasterWhen we play our opening night.(Refrain) Getting’ it together…Yeh! Yeh!Steppin’ out together…Wo! wo!Gotta hit the beat, keep it neat,Gotta keep in line all the time,We’re getting’ it together now!Getting’ it together now!Getting it together,Wow! (End of song)(After the audience applause, there is excited reaction from the group as they realisethey’ve cracked it.)Darren:Tracey:That was fantastic!Great!Page 11© Musicline Publications 2002

Karen:I feel like a real star.(All whoop, whistle, etc.)Peter:Zoe:Kieran:And I feel like some pop.Me, too.All right, tinies. Hop it. Us grown-ups want to chat.Karen:Get them!(The younger Group Exit)Michael: Michael: Is that what you want to be, Karen – a star?Karen:Nick:Emily:All:Karen:Emily:Karen:Emily:Kieran:Tracey:Kieran:Molly:William:Debbie:William:Yeh. A star and a model. (All Groan) What’s wrong wiv that?Karen, you have to be a brainless bimbo to be a model.That makes her a natural.Meeaow!All right, Emily, if you’re so sniffy, what do you want to do?Dunno.Well my dad works in the media, so he can help me. What does yourdad do?Nuffink.Yeh, my dad’s unemployed, too. I work Saturdays so I can afford tocome to this place.Blimey! Two Quid! Is that all you earn?‘Course not, stupid! There’s me beer money and what’s left goes onclothes and records, don’t it?What do you want to be, then, William?Dunno. Ain’t made me mid up yet.What are you good at?Me mum and Dad say I’m good for nothin’.(All Groan)Nick:William:Anne:Richard:Anne:That’s a terrible old joke.Not as terrible as my parents. Whatever I end up doing, it’s got to bebetter than my old man. Charge hand at a plastics factory.I know what you mean. My dad’s a plumber.I shouldn’t worry, Anne. Can’t see you unblocking a loo!Leave it out!Page 12© Musicline Publications 2002

Michael:Debbie:Darren:Molly:Debbie:Emily:Michael:Tracey:Richard:Tracey:Darren:Anne:Nick:All:Nick:Debbie:Nick:Debbie:Both:All:William:Half Group 1:Half Group 2:My Dad’s a computer clerk.Must be why you’re such a nerd…Do you two have to fight all the time?Must be love!Love? With that?Well, they sat opposites attract.Not on you life!Anyway, my dad’s an accountant. (All go “Ooo!” again) Oh, he earns afair whack, but it drives him round the twist. I want to do better thanthat.What, like be an accountant’s moll?Oh, very funny!Well, my Dad drives a bus, and really enjoys it. But I can’t see medoing that. No way.If you dive the way you dance, Darren, you’d be lethal on the roads!No, but it’s true, innit? We all want to do better than our parents.You bet, you got it, right on, (etc. ad lib.)SONG FOUR – SO MUCH BETTER(Verse 1) Dad commutes to an office,Toiling from nine to five.Mum works in a building Society,Comes home more dead than alive.They’ve got commitments,A mortgage, and all that stuff.But for us that’s never gonna be good enough!(Refrain 1) We’re gonna have it so much better…We’re gonna make our mark, just you see.Times they are a-changin’And we’re changin’ with them.There’s a better life ahead for you and me!(Link) Each summer we go to Majorca,That’s all very well,But year after year, it’s living hell!Trekking and back-packing round the world,That’s what we want to do.Who wants to go to Majorca?When there’s Bondi or Katmandu?Page 13© Musicline Publications 2002

Anne:(Verse 2) Parents don’t understand us,Richard: Think that we’re from Planet X.Michael:They don’t like the music we play,Karen:Of the way we can vex and perplex...Tracey:(Spoken) ‘Specially you, Karen!!Darren & Molly: Much as we love them,And don’t want to give them grief,+Kieran & Emily: They must face it –Never gonna change our belief…All:(Refrain 2) We’re gonna have it so much better…We’re gonna make our mark, just you see.Times they are a-changin’And we’re changin’ with them.There’s a better life ahead for you and me!(Coda) There’s a better life aheadHalf Group 1: For you and me.Half Group 2: For you and me. (End of song)(They break up, and relax, sitting on chairs of the floor. One or two do the oddexercise, Kieran plays with a Game Boy, Richard & Anne cuddle. The YoungstersEnter.)Peter:Debbie:Katie:Dean:Jamie:Rebecca:Sarah:Zoe:It’s the Zombies!It’s the monsters!Slacking again!They’re always slacking.And when they’re not slacking, they’re skiving.And when they’re not skiving, they’re moaning.Or kissing.Richard loves Anne!Younger Children: Ooo! (The same rising-inflection Ooo!)Richard:Anne:Darren:MollyShane:Katie:William:Peter:Shut up, you horrors.Haven’t you anything better to do?We’re on a break.Well, so are we, and we don’t want to be pestered by little brats.You sound just like my sister. She’s a teenager too.I’ve got a teenage brother. He’s impossible.Not as impossible as you lot.To think that one day we might grow up like them!Page 14© Musicline Publications 2002