Children's Theatre: Final 'Captain Quokka' Script
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Act
2
2.1
SFX Wave-scape to introduce Act 2.
Sharkbait play the opening theme/Sol’s theme as the house lights (LFX)
dim and Sol is seen perched
on the ladder and lit (LFX) Sound-scape once again (SFX grows fainter but is
still heard behind her speech.)
Sol: (‘Shell’ phone to her ear) Squawk! What do you mean you can’t put me through? All our oceans are busy!? I don’t believe this! (Annoyed). No, wait! Don’t put me on hold! (To the audience) If I have to listen to another second of whale-song while I wait for them to get back to me - (She closes it and puts it away.) Just typical of this backstage crew! I’ll bet they’re all still having tea and scoffing cakes and don’t realize that: ‘INTERVAL IS OVER’ (spoken towards the Stage Manager’s position) and the show must go on! Look here comes the Harlequin Fish with her little friend, Sequin. They must be on their way to Octavia’s Grotto.
Puppeteers fly brightly coloured fish
across the apron, exiting SL and SR after the cross-over
Harlequin: Don’t dawdle, Sequin (she’s again peeping round the coral flat and retreating) there’s no time to lose. And Theresa, who usually thinks of everything, has forgotten something VERY important!
Theresa: (Entering through the auditorium) Forgotten, something, have? How can this be? (To the audience as she walks past them.) A turtle NEVER forgets!(She holds a starfish aloft) Perhaps you mean this – the magic starfish? (SFX star-dust/magic)
Harlequin: (Smiling, relieved) I should never have doubted you, Theresa. Of course you remembered!
Theresa: Without magic, the land creatures – Captain Quokka and his visitors – will not survive the trip to Octavia’s Grotto. It’s a very dangerous journey for us all – but especially for them.
Don GioManta: Dey betta watch out for da sharks!
Corlione the Claw: And da sting rays. Hoo boy dey can hurt ya.
Bugs Abalone: (Intensely, recalling the experience)Yeah! I was stung by a box jelly fish once and it was nearly the end of me.
Al CaPrawn: And then there’s the Sea-Weed Forest to swim through, where anything can happen – you’ll need to guide them all very carefully, Theresa …
Theresa: Guide them I will – very carefully. But we can’t do this alone, can we Harlequin?
Harlequin: (Shaking her head) No, indeed we can’t, Theresa!
Theresa: (Turns to face the audience) We’ll need your help!
Corlione the Claw: (In utter disbelief) You want them to help you!?
Al Caprawn et al: (Together, indicating the audience. Also in disbelief) No chance! No way, man. Dey won’t do it!
Harlequin: (Indignantly) Don’t be so certain. Anyway, we only really need ONE of them.
Theresa: That’s true, Harlequin. But the more of them who join in, the safer it’ll be for our land creatures.
Corlione: You don’t stand a chance. (The others mutter into their instruments, “No way”, “Forget it”, “Not this lot”.)
Theresa: We’ll see, then. (To the children, with Harlequin and Sequin on either side of her, supporting her). Does anybody here believe in magic?
(Hopefully there’ll be a positive
response – it’s up to the performers to orchestrate this next bit, and if
all else fails, Sol the Seagull can be dragooned into ‘believing’. She
should, in any case, participate in the scene, encouraging the audience to the
appropriate outcome.)
Theresa: That’s absolutely wonderful! Isn’t it Harlequin? Look how happy Sequin is. (Sequin should now respond to the children more directly and without fear, perhaps holding the hands of one of the smaller children.) What this means is that the starfish can weave her magic (we couldn’t do this if you didn’t believe in magic) –
Sol: (Squawk) That’s right, we need children to believe in magic if the story is to continue!
Theresa: - and all the land creatures can dive safely beneath the waves, down through the Sea-Weed Forest, past the coral reefs, to Octavia’s grotto.
She waves the starfish through the
air and, after a freeze during the scene on the balcony, begins a chant.
2.1.1
Sneer and Smart appear on the
balcony, telescopes to their eyes. They’re on the ‘Look Out’ for their
Master and become interested observers of the events that follow.
A bit of business with the telescope
– they see each other (enlarged); they shriek, settle down and carry on
looking at what’s going on.
Sneer: (Peering at the stage). What have we here, then, Mr Smart?
Smart: (Peering with equal enthusiasm). I’m not sure, Mr Sneer, but it’s probably important. Keep a close eye on them – we might have to report this to (Music Cue) Captain Bluebeard!
Sneer: That we might!
Smart: And, Mr Sneer, this information may be the undoing of that whining, ingratiating, bag of wind, Mr Smee.
Sneer:
Indeed, Mr Smart, that Smee has wormed his way into our Master’s good
graces. (Mimicking him) “Yes, Captain Bluebeard, Sir”, “No, Captain
Bluebeard, Sir”. Arrgh. It’s quite sickening to behold (pretends to
vomit, theatrically).
Smart: It’s enough to turn a pirate’s stomach, it is! Arrgh.
Sneer: Quiet, Smart – let’s hear what the Turtle is saying. Something’s up, I tell ya!
Smart: (Subsiding) Arrgh. It certainly is!
Theresa:
(Engaging the children, after this interruption She holds the starfish
above her head like an offering to the gods.) Now, children, for us to make
this work, and keep the land creatures from drowning as they make their way to
Octavia’s grotto, you need to say after me – (she speaks one line at a
time so that the children can say it with her:
“Starfish, starfish from the sea
Pour your magic over me!”
That’s excellent, children! Thank you. Come, on, Captain Quokka, Katzenellenbogen, Jan and Marilda; come one, come all! I’m giving you the ‘all clear’! Starfish magic – and these children – will protect you on your journey to Octavia’s grotto, under the sea.!
SFX Magic Dust. The band plays a
theme that marks their entry.
Harlequin:
Here they come! (Sequin bolts back to hide behind Harlequin and peep
out as the Creatures descend on the apron.)
Priscilla and Prunella Penguin enter
through the auditorium SL, Captain Quokka, Dugong, Colonel Cucumber and Miss
Severity enter through the auditorium SR. They are followed by the Dutch,
including Van Dyk, whose canvas now depicts a very rudimentary set of waves. The
crabs enter ‘severally’ from SL and SR. Everyone should now be wearing
swimming gear of the sort used to bathe in during the 19th Century.
The Penguins need to reflect a more youthful quality – perhaps in their caps?
But everyone (except the Crustacean Chorus and Theresa, Harlequin and Sequin) should look ready for a
swim. Each will pass under the Starfish and when necessary, SFX magic will sound
to indicate the power of belief that will keep the land creatures safe. Once
they’re all on stage, the next exchange begins.
Colonel Cucumber: Marvelous! What! Come along then. Let’s head for Octavia’s grotto and hear what she has to tell us about seeing off these villains.
On the balcony, Smart and Sneer
react.
Smart: Arrgh. That’s us, for sure!
Sneer: It is, I’ll warrant ya. Arrgh!
Captain Quokka: Lead the way, my First Mate! Down to the depths we go.
Miss Severity: (Looking at the children as they all head off) Who would have thought that young humans today still believe in magic!
Dugong: Like you, Madam, I’m amazed. Absolutely amazed!
They exit SL after the others.
As the others follow and exit SL they
speak the following lines:
Priscilla: Ooh. I’m scared!
Prunella: Me too!
Together: (Turning to each other.) This is so-o-o- not cool!
They waddle off SL
Calypso: (Anxiously) I hate the Sea-Weed Forest.
Chorus: (Together) It’s so scary!
Chloe: Just remember to keep your claws clear.
Caprice: And your feelers free!
Cordelia: And watch out for sh- sh-
Chorus: Shshshshs! Don’t mention ‘SHARKS!’
They leave, following the others, SL
Katzenellenbogen: I hope this “magic’works. I hate getting my fur wet.
Van Dyk: (Confidingly) About your painting, Mijn Heer. I’m using water colours, so it’s not going to be a problem, really.
Katzenellenbogen looks at him
briefly, but he’s beneath his master’s notice, so simply ignores him.
Marilda: Oh Jan!
Jan: I’ll be with you, Marilda!
Katzenellenbogen: Stop this lovey-dovey nonsense. We’re not out of trouble yet! I must find my bullion – without it, I face ruin!
They all follow the lead of Theresa
Turtle and Harlequin off stage (SL). The Starfish is placed DSR near the coral
flat and remains there during the entire underwater scene.
Sol: I hope the magic works for me, too! NOTHING would keep me from following them all to Octavia’s grotto. This is soo exciting. Squawk!!
She climbs down the ladder and
follows them off stage, with a salute to the Band. SL.
On the balcony, Smart and Smee react.
Smart: Bluebeard must hear of this, Mr Sneer. Arrgh.
Sneer: That he must, Mr Smart. Arrgh. And we’re the very ones to tell him. We’ll show that Smee! (Mimicking Smee’s abject sucking up to Bluebeard) “Anything you please, Sir, whatever you want, Sir”. Let’s show him!
Smart: Arrgh. To ‘The Black Albatross’. Follow me.
They exit excitedly and the lights on
them and on the apron dim.
2.2
Musical theme from the finale, Act 1
segues into the build up to the revelation of Octavia’s realm. SFX eerie
underwater sounds, bubbles, whale song, dolphin clicks etc. Dry ice should pour
out from beneath the blacks in the build up to the curtain flying. LFX Coral,
grotto: blues, greens creating a frightening effect. A Mermaid is seen SC
on the rostrum, combing her long golden hair and quietly observing Octavia. She
is present throughout this scene and functions as a ‘lady in waiting’,
Octavia’s servant.
The Puppeteers fly their fish across
the stage, adding to the effect.
The curtain flies to reveal Octavia,
CS. She is an ambiguous creature with great prophetic powers. She has lived for
centuries in her grotto having discovered an elixir that guarantees her
immortality. For years she has lived peacefully, but since the explosion of
trade in the Indian Ocean and the piratical escapades that have followed, her
peaceful – and beautiful – domain has become a dumping ground, with wrecks
on the sea-bed, chests full of gold and jewels (for which she has no use!)and
unwelcome visitors (travelers), usually trying to retrieve their lost goods! She
resents intruders, but can see the bigger picture and will ultimately benefit,
herself, from assisting the Islanders and their Dutch colleagues in their fight
against Bluebeard and his evil crew.
SONG.
SFX clanking of chains, crunch of
wood on sand/shell. LFX Shadow (of the boat)across the stage.
Octavia: What was that?! Not another ship anchoring on the coral! (She has a moment of telepathic foresight before responding). It’s that Buccaneer, Bluebeard, and the crew of the ‘Black Albatross’, no doubt! (To the Mermaid) Have these fools no idea of the damage they do? There goes a whole segment of the reef! If they’re not shattering the coral with their metal anchors, their ships are crashing to the sea-bed. At least then (she laughs in an evil tone) the sailors plunge to a watery grave and I have my revenge on ALL of those ignorant land creatures.
As she speaks she moves
unpredictably, her tentacles (suggested by fabric fronds rather than any lengths
of tubular material) swirling around her. She should be capable of rapid
movement and intense stillness. The character requires physical and vocal
control to be fully effective. The Mermaid is silent, but reacts to Octavia when
she’s addressed. She provides assistance when required.
Octavia: I’ve finally got through to that bird-brained Harlequin fish (she’d try the patience of a salmon) so I imagine they’ll be here any moment now. It’s seldom I have to summon my subjects to me, but enough is enough, and if that gross pirate Bluebeard starts looking for his treasure chest around here, my peace and quiet will be utterly destroyed. (Looks around quickly) I know, I’ll pretend I’m not here and hide behind those rocks. I LOVE making an entrance – (strikes a dramatic pose) – and that’s one thing I can do down here! I’ll sur-prise them all! Now let me see, where shall I hide? Come here, girl, don’t let them find us!
She darts back and forth a few times
then hides behind the coral flat DSR. She places her finger on her lips, telling
the Mermaid, the Band and the audience to be still. The Mermaid hides too.
Music theme for entry of the
creatures, led by Theresa and Harlequin, who has Sequin by her side. They call
out to each other from different parts of the stage and enter in their groups,
warily looking about them. Dugong is in her element (literally) and Ms Severity
has the Crabs in tow (their anxiety keeps them in a row – side-on – behind
her), while Captain Quokka, Col. Cucumber and Katzenellenbogen form a central
group. The two land creatures may be experimenting with their breathing and from
time to time could comment on their capacity to breathe under water.
“Astounding”; “Astonishing”; “Quite incredible”; “In – out, in
– out.” “Extraordinary” etc. Prunella and Priscilla are energetically
engaged in checking out the seascape, carefully examining objects they find on
the sea bed a shell, perhaps, a rope of pearls, sea-weed etc.) They align
themselves with Theresa and Harlequin who are the clear leaders of this
expedition. Jan and Marilda keep slightly apart from the others, but are focused
on the action throughout this scene, rather than on their reunion.
Desiree Dugong: (Turning from an examination of the coral.) And where, may I ask is she? How typical of Octavia! Her manners leave a great deal to be desired, I feel. I met her once, you know, never took to her, really. A bit of a performer to my mind!
Ms Severity: I am amazed, quite frankly - after all our efforts to get here- to find that she’s nowhere to be seen! (To the crabs) Girls, scuttle off, now and see if you can spot her. She must be here somewhere.
The Crustacean Chorus scurries off,
and synchronise an action that has them bury their heads beneath a claw.
Desiree Dugong: I say, Captain Quokka, do you think your First Mate (she gestures with her parasol – does it match her bathing suit, perhaps?) might have got the location wrong?
Captain Quokka: No chance of that, my dear. Theresa is the wisest creature I know –
Priscilla: (Rushing up in support) And she’d never have brought us here if there was any doubt, would she, Colonel Cucumber?
Colonel Cucumber: Not a chance, young Priscilla. Not a chance!
Prunella: (Earnestly to Dugong) She was awesome! The way she guided us through the Sea-Weed Forest –
Crustaceans: (Shrieking, and peeping out from beneath their claws at the recollection) Oooh! The Sea Weed Forest!
They need to synchronise their
actions from now, punctuating the exchange with their lines.
Ms Severity: (Trying valiantly to control them.) Girls!
Priscilla: - and past that cave where the Sharks hang out!
Crustaceans: Oooh! The cave where the SHARKS hang out! (They duck back down)
Ms Severity: Now girls!
Prunella: Till we reached this (shivers in excitement) freaky place.
Priscilla: It’s awesome!
Ms Severity: (Ever the pedagogue) Try for a little variety in your adjectives, girl. I’m certain it wasn’t a religious experience! I know it wasn’t for me!
Colonel Cucumber: There’s no need to be quite so harsh on ‘em, Madam. They’re helpful little things, full of spirit, ready for any adventure. I’m sure she doesn’t mean it, m’dears. Now back to the look out! That’s the ticket!
The Penguins waddle off, slightly
crestfallen, to where Theresa and Harlequin are standing, looking back into the
‘depths’ of the ocean.
Katzenellenbogen: The place does seem rather deserted, though. No sign of life! (Breathing in and out, testing the ‘magic’) And no sign of my treasure, either. This can’t be where the Duyfken sank! What have you to say, now, Jan Pierawiet?!
Jan: It’s difficult to tell from this angle, but I marked it by that bit of coral (gestures to the backcloth). I’m sure this is precisely where the bullion landed. Though I can’t see it anywhere!
Katzenellenbogen: I hope you’re not wasting my time! You’ll be sorry if you are.
Marilda: Please Father, be patient. Look – Theresa has seen something. What is it, Theresa?
SFX, Music Cue, LFX create a build up
that precedes Octavia’s entry.
Theresa: (Steps forward on the rostrum, CS). The Sea Witch approaches.
Harlequin: (Anxiously but in a gradually more potent introduction) Everyone bow down low before her – the mightiest of the Sea Creatures, whose magic gives her the power over LIFE …. And – DEATH!
Theresa: Her inky Majesty, the Blue-Ringed Octopus, Octavia, grants us her presence.
Crustaceans: (Briefly dropping their claws from their faces and peering out. In a loud stage whisper.) Did she say ‘presents’? Are we getting ‘presents’? We love presents! Is it somebody’s birthday?
Ms Severity: (In annoyance – interrupting them) Silence, girls. Not another word!
Theresa:
I give you – Octavia. (She gestures to where Octavia will enter.)
Octavia should appear in more regalia (a crown, a dramatically furled cloak, carrying a sea-shell scepter– anything to make her both regal and threatening).She is followed by the Mermaid, who holds her train. Audible gasps from the assembled creatures. Big musical moment; with orchestrated SFX and LFX to layer the scene. More dry ice to add mystique. (Perhaps a moment of shocked recognition between the Mermaid and the Dugong, who has always fancied herself the beauty of the seas.)
Octavia: (She’s on good terms with Theresa but quite contemptuous of the others.) (Aside to the audience) I told you I liked making an entrance.
Dugong: (Drily) Yes, I recall. (To Captain Quokka) Never could resist a moment in the Spotlight!
Theresa: We’ve come in answer to your summons, oh powerful one!
Captain Quokka: (Stepping forward, to flatter her a little.)And to seek your help. Theresa the Turtle, my faithful First Mate, has told us of your wisdom.
Octavia: (Melting a little, but shifting gears as she speaks – at times pleasant, at other times nasty). Has she now? She was always the most intelligent of my apprentices. And what are you staring at? (She swirls around, briefly, noticing the Crustaceans who shriek and dive back down with their faces behind their claws.)
Miss Severity: (Jumps protectively to their defence, her own claws spread in from of them.) Be still, girls. Not another move from you.
Octavia: (Ignoring them and standing CS again, addressing Captain Quokka) Speak, then, do you know why you’ve been summoned to my Grotto?
Captain Quokka: There is danger on the waves –
Octavia: There always is!
Captain Quokka: But in this case we know it’s close and that we have to defeat – somehow – that most villainous of all creatures –
ALL:
(Loudly, intensely) Bluebeard the Pie-Rat!
Theresa: (Pointing out the obvious) And his devilish crew.
Octavia:
Buccaneer Bluebeard, eh? (She swirls around, then listens intently as
they go on, not giving away a thing)
Dugong: (To whoever is listening) I met him once you know – nasty piece of work!
Katzenellenbogen: He sank my ship, the Duyfken, and is after the gold bullion in its hold
Marilda: He cast my beloved adrift, and left him for dead!
Jan: But, if he knows I’m alive, he’ll seek me out to finish off the job -
Marilda: Oh Jan!
Jan: - because I know where the Duyfken went down!
Katzenellenbogen:
And if the Mouse is murdered, I’ll never find my bullion. And all will
be ruined! (He gestures dramatically, and is comforted by Marilda)
Van Dyk: Ja, ja, Mijn Heer. Hold it like that – that’s just what I’m after!
Van Dyk will have been sketching
vigorously and tearing up his sketch paper from time to time as he tries to
depict the scene for posterity. Ms Severity should close in as an informed
observer, and Sol the Seagull could peer over, too.
Octavia: (Stunned by this turn of events!) How very odd!
Theresa: (Trying to regain control) But, back to the matter at hand! Oh Wise One!
Captain Quokka: We seek your advice in the face of a common threat! What shall we do with Bluebeard coming this way!
Crustaceans: It’s too dreadful!
Chloe: We’ll be Crab Pate, I know we will!
Ms Severity: Now girls, don’t work yourselves up!
Cordelia: Crab Chowder, we’ll be SOUP!
Ms Severity: Of course you won’t be!
Caprice: Or a …a Crab Souffle!
Ms Severity: (Drily) They’re not that inventive!
Calypso: If those Pie-Rats get here, we’ll be crusty CRAB pies!
Ms Severity: (Musing) Now that is a possibility!
Colonel Cucumber: Not if we can help it, Madam! We are here for advice. Let us hear the Wise One’s words.
He bows before Octavia, who is
suitably impressed. She steps down, takes his hand in her tentacle and then
dramatically gestures for quiet! The Mermaid settles her cloak/train, remaining
attentive.
Octavia: Peace, I have heard enough! Now it is my turn to speak! These Pie-Rats are the scourge of the Seven Seas!
Captain Quokka: (Aside) Yet how exciting their lives are!
Octavia: They pillage and plunder –
Katzenellenbogen: They do! They do! They pillaged and plundered my poor little Duyfken. … (he starts to sob, taking out a large silk handkerchief and vigorously blowing his nose)
Octavia: As I was saying – (she gives them a look to bring them back to order) – they pillage and plunder and pollute the sea-bed.
Captain Quokka: (Aside) But how they LIVE – the passion! It was my life, once!
Octavia: And they damage the habitat of all who live in my dominions!
Theresa: (With a hand on Quokka’s shoulder to steady him. She alone is aware of the choices his weighing up) They must be stopped! This you know, Master.
Captain Quokka: (Pulling himself together) Of course I do, Theresa. But there are times when it’s hard to resist the siren call on the tide.
SFX Roistering sound of the
pirates/the tavern/voices raised in song/the clash of swords.
Theresa: That was a long time ago, now, Master. Remember your promise!
Sol: (To the audience) What’s this? Our hero, Captain Quokka, a marsupial with a murky past. What can this mean?
Octavia: (Observing his conflict. Laughing in mockery!) Ah, Captain Quokka. You can feel his tendrils pulling at you, sucking you back – back to another time and place! But are you strong enough to resist? (She swirls round him, taunting him, nudging him with her tentacles)
Colonel Cucumber: I say, give the chap a chance, your Majesty! He’s one of us now!
Octavia: (Laughing cruelly) But only just! Look at him – he’s torn two ways. Look at his face – there’s ‘temptation’ written all over it! If I wasn’t so determined to rid myself and my underwater world of Bluebeard and his hideous crew, I’d ENJOY this moment! (She switches from laughter and mockery to vicious intensity) But Bluebeard must be banished and order restored once more to my treasured realm.
Jan: I’m afraid, your Majesty, he’ll stop at nothing! I know what he’s capable of!
Octavia:
(Swirls round and addresses Jan) And you think I have no idea,
young Mouse? (She glares at him malevolently as Marilda clutches his arm).
Jan: No, of course not! Oh mighty Sea Witch.
Dugong: (Taking the bull by the horns). I think it’s established that Bluebeard is to be challenged – but our question is how?
Ms Severity: We’ve answered your summons and – at great risk to the land creatures who have had to rely on magic (she acknowledges the audience) - thank you children – to stay alive, we’ve braved the elements –
Crustaceans: The Sea Weed forest! (They shudder)
Priscilla and Prunella: And the cave where the sh- sh- sh- SHARKS hang out!
Marilda: (With youthful earnestness) Yes, we’ve come all this way, now, and been frightened and … and BRAVE! And we’re ready to do anything to defeat Bluebeard the Pie-Rat rather than turn into – into nouvelle cuisine in the galley of the Black Albatross!
Dugong: (Impressed at this outburst) Well spoken, Marilda! You’re a real brick!
Captain Quokka: (Murmuring) Out of the mouths of kittens! Fair words, Marilda.
Jan: (Delighted at her bravery in challenging Octavia) My soulmate!
Katzenellenbogen: Don’t start that lovey-dovey stuff again, please! (To Octavia) I lost everything I owned when my ship went down and now Bluebeard is coming for my gold! I must get to it first! But how?
Octavia: (Resigning herself to a more prosaic activity) Oh very well, if you must know, you have been chosen –
The Mermaid nods affirmatively.
All: (In disbelief) Chosen?
Captain Quokka: Please tell us more, your Majesty.
Octavia: (Raising her voice, and lifting her scepter) Yes, CHOSEN to fight an elemental battle; a battle between GOOD – (She looks down at them from her full height) –that’s you lot! And EVIL
All: (With a flash of recognition) That’s Bluebeard the Pie-Rat!
Octavia: (With some irony) They’re sharp, they’re really sharp! And to defeat the Forces of Evil, you will need to train – to train as you never imagined you would.
Priscilla: (Enthusiastically) Just tell me what to do –
Prunella: - and me, too!
Captain Quokka: This will never work, oh Wise One! I know Bluebeard and a better swordsman doesn’t exist in the Southern hemisphere.
Octavia: Who mentioned swords? My plan is more cunning than that – (she turns towards Theresa who has her back to the audience) – meet your trainer, Theresa, the Ninja Turtle!
Theresa, assisted by the Mermaid, places the relevant band round her head, a belt over her tunic and steps into the spotlight. She adopts, once more, the Karate Kid Pose. Harlequin and Sequin clap in approval. Music, SFX and LFX signal a new state.
All: Gasp!
Col. Cucumber: (Chuckling) East meets West – oh this is devilishly cunning! What!
Captain Quokka: (Filled with admiration) My first mate, I had no idea …
Everyone gathers to admire their
teacher’s prowess. Octavia closes the scene.
Octavia: There is very little time – Bluebeard is already anchored above us. Watch, listen, obey – your Master has much to teach you.
Theresa: Follow me (She performs some of her moves, which they all attempt to imitate her) Ours is an elemental battle!
Quokka: (Aside) A battle I must not lose!
Octavia: The training begins. (Her voice reaching a crescendo) Creatures of the land and sea you will – together – confront and defeat this enemy!
Music cue anticipating the sounds of
martial arts training/battle scene?
Van Dyk quietly shows his
‘watercolour’ to Seagull, pointing out the fact that it’s a ‘group’
painting and not a portrait. Seagull then heads
for her ladder as the characters all maintain their rudimentary movements The
curtain falls. LFX to black.
2.3
LFX on apron as the puppeteers enter.
Seagulls are flown by the puppeteers across the apron. SFX seashore: gulls,
waves bird-calls etc. Music cue for the entry of Clarissa and Nell, SR.
They’re dressed as young boys in pantaloons and poet/pirate shirts, with
scarves around their heads. Nell carries a large sailor’s sack over her
shoulder.
Sol: (From her perch on the ladder)( Squawk) Look who’s here! Clarissa and Nell have disguised themselves and signed on as cabin boys for this voyage on the ‘Black Albatross’. Let’s hear what they’re saying.
Clarissa: (Quoting from Twelfth Night) ‘What country, friend, is this?’
Nell: Oh, please don’t start that, Mistress. You know very well that this is Rottnest Island!
Clarissa: Ah, but Nell, remember the days when I held an audience in the palm of my hand? Was there ever such a Viola? Such an Ophelia? Such a Lady Macbeth?
Nell: Indeed there wasn’t, Mistress, but the parts we’re playing today are so much more exciting!
Clarissa: And much more dangerous!
Nell: If Bluebeard finds out that his cabin boys are none other than yourself, Mistress Clarissa, and myself, your servant, Nell –
Clarissa: He’d have us walk the plank, I believe! Women on the ‘Black Albatross’! What an outrage!
Nell: He’d be angry, but he’d get over it! (A little anxiously) Wouldn’t he?
Clarissa: (Laughing) Afraid of a keel-hauling for our deception, Nell? Never fear. He doesn’t suspect a thing! (Earnestly) Oh, Nell! I’m at my wits’ end with him. I just want him to notice me! There must be something I can do to get his attention!
Nell: Well, he’ll need all the help he can get to recover the gold bullion that went down with the Duyfken. Now’s your chance to show him what you can do!
Clarissa: You’re right. There’s no point in moping around here. We’d better get back to the ‘Black Albatross’ with these provisions. Bluebeard the Pie-Rat has called a meeting to discuss his plan of action!
Nell: We’d better not waste anymore time, then, Mistress … onward, to the ‘Black Albatross’ (Aside, to the audience) And the nastiest Captain and Crew I’ve ever met!
Clarissa: Don’t forget our extremely cunning disguises (They each place an eye-patch over one eye) Bluebeard must not know who his cabin boys really are!
They exit, SL, giggling
conspiratorially and give Sol a chip as they pass her perch.
Sol: (Munching the chip) I really like Clarissa and Nell. (To the audience) Don’t you? I wonder what will happen next?
The next scene reveals the Pie-Rats
on board the ‘Black Albatross’. It’s introduced by a music cue which plays
as the black curtain is raised. We discover Bluebeard, his henchman, Smee, Smart
and Sneer busy on the deck. The sail (which should be dramatic in the extreme)
should be flown in attached to a mast with lots of rigging. This scene will
establish the Pie-Rats in full ‘flight’; at home in their ship on the sea,
ready for action.
2.4
Pie-Rat SONG
(Bluebeard, Smee, Smart, Sneer,
Clarissa, Nell and Sol)
As Bluebeard and Smee walk CS looking
at the map the others dash about, undertaking various chores. The puppeteers fly
the Seagulls over the stage exiting USL and USR after the (usual) cross-over.
Clarissa is mending a rope; Nell is busy with the diving helmet – polishing
it? They are wearing eye-patches as a means of ‘disguise’(!)
SFX Seagulls, water lapping. LFX
Night.
Bluebeard: Arrgh. Here we are, then, my fellow Pie-Rats, anchored at the very spot, off the West End of Rottnest Island, where the Duyfken went to the bottom of the ocean! Ha! Ha! Ha! (Laughs cruelly at the memory).
Smee: (Pointing to the ‘X’ on his map). Arrgh. That’s right, Master Bluebeard. This is the very spot!
Bluebeard: Arrgh. (Reminiscing)What a battle that was!
Smart: Yes, a memorable battle, Master –
Sneer: Except for the small matter (coughs discreetly) of the loss of the treasure we were after!
Bluebeard: (Rounding on him furiously, with a swipe at his head. Sneer ducks away in time – he’s had lots of practice). And whose fault was that I ask you!?
Sneer and Smart: (Pointing accusingly at Smee) It was his!
Smee: No it wasn’t, it was theirs! (Pointing at Sneer and Smart)
Sneer and Smart: Oh, no it wasn’t!
Smee: Oh, yes it was!
Sneer and Smart: (Getting into the rhythm of things) Oh no it wasn’t!
Smee: : Oh yes it –
Bluebeard: (Taking another, ineffectual swipe at Smee) QUIET! That’s enough of that! Was ever a Pie-Rat Captain more ill used! Why am I at the mercy of the most worthless crew that ever set sail! Arrgh!
Smart: (Indignantly) Well I never –
Sneer: (Outraged) After all we’ve done for you, Master Bluebeard!
Smart: Yeah. Think of all these years we’ve pillaged and plundered and polluted –
Sneer: Yeah, pillaged and plundered and polluted –
Smart and Sneer: That’s gratitude for ya! Arrgh. (They hunch their
shoulders away from him, hurt by the accusation).
Smee: (Aside) Now they’re in for it. Bluebeard won’t stand for this!
Bluebeard: (Impatiently) Arrgh That’s enough, all of you! Stop all this arguing! There’s no time for sulking. Just look at the way those two new recruits are working! Arrgh. They’ve got energy and enthusiasm and ability – more than can be said for you lot! (He includes the three pie-rats in his gesture)Try, if you can, to imitate them.!
Smee is clearly disappointed that they aren’t getting into
trouble. The others remain a little sulky as Clarissa and Nell speak.
Clarissa: (Holding up the rope she’s been working on. A change in her voice, perhaps?). There, Cap’n Bluebeard. I’ve fixed this rope for you. Are we ready
Nell: (She brings forward the diving helmet she’s been working on with its tube trailing behind it.) I’ve fixed the bolts onto the helmet and the pipe’s clear! (Blows through it noisily)
Clarissa:
That’s perfect! Well done, Nell – uh, Ned, I mean.
Bluebeard: (Aside to the audience) Mmmn. They seem oddly familiar. And yet, I can’t recall where I’ve met these two young sailors before. Arrgh. (To the crew)Attention all Pie-Rats! AT-TEN-TION!
They straggle into an unwieldy line
in front of him.
Smart: (As First Mate he has his own command to give: blows a whistle) Eyes front! Captain Bluebeard has something to say!
Bluebeard: Crew of the ‘Black Albatross’! I need someone to undertake a dangerous mission!
They all look at each other sideways,
apprehensively.
Bluebeard: I need a volunteer, someone heroic –
All (except Smee): (Stepping back a large pace and leaving Smee out in front) Not me, for sure!
Bluebeard: Arrgh, Smee. You’re my man!
Smee: But, but –
Bluebeard: (Over-riding him) I knew I could rely on you, my faithful Smee. (slaps his shoulder amicably, but forcefully)
Smee: But Master!
Bluebeard: Bring me the Diving Helmet.
Smee continues to protest through the
next set of events as the helmet is placed on his head, the tube blown into by
first Clarissa then Nell, with Sneer and Smart in on the act.
Bluebeard: Now over the side you go! And keep the map with you. If my calculations are correct (arrgh) and why wouldn’t they be? the treasure is right below the ‘Black Albatross’.
Sneer and Smart: (Dancing a jig or a brief sailor’s hornpipe) We’ll be rich, we’ll be rich!
Clarissa: Right, tie the rope to him! And over he goes. (She and Nell aided by Smart and Sneer start to lever the unhappy Smee over the edge of the boat at the back of the stage.)
Smee: (Shrieking) HE-E-ELP!!! MU-U-U-U-M!!!
At this point Marilda and Jan
‘surface’; that is they enter from DSR. Still in their swimming gear,
Marilda is appalled at what she sees happening to Smee and she rushes over to
the Pie-Rats with no thought for herself! Jan tries ineffectually to stop her.
He draws his sword but of course will be no match for so MANY Pie-Rats!
Marilda: How dare you !?(she hisses at the rats and there could be quite a nice movement sequence with Marilda chasing the ‘rats’ before they overpower her.) Can’t you see he’s terrified? What are you trying to do?
The movement sequence should conclude
with Marilda held tightly by Smart and Sneer, with Smee half-fainting and Nell
waving a cloth over his face as he coughs and splutters. Clarissa looks on,
weighing up her options. She does NOT approve of what Bluebeard is doing, but
maintains her disguise for the moment!
Bluebeard:
You brave, but very foolish kitten, arrgh! You’ll wish you’d never
come NEAR Bluebeard and his villainous crew when we’ve finished with you! Tie
her to the mast while I deal with this – (he recognizes Jan) YOU!
It’s you! Returned from the dead?! I’ll have to deal with you properly this
time! Draw your sword and fight like a Mouse! (He laughs cruelly again and
they sword-fight briefly before Jan is forced to the edge of the ship)
Marilda: Jump, Jan, jump! And swim to the Grotto for help!
Sneer: Mice don’t swim. This time he’s done for!
Smart: (Imitating Marilda) Jump Jan – you’re doomed!
Clarissa: (As Jan dives into the water) Stop, don’t! You won’t survive!
Nell: (Forgetting herself) Swim, little Mouse, swim away!
Sneer and Smart: (They spin round and look at Clarissa and Nell)
Sneer: (Circling them!)What have we here, Master Smart?
Smart: A mutineer, Master Sneer.
Sneer: What shall we do with them, Mr Smart?
Smart: (After a brief pause) Tie them to the mast! Tie them all to the mast!
The two of them tie and gag Marilda,
Clarissa and Nell together (under protest, but rapidly) to the mast as Bluebeard
watches malevolently. Smee is still trying to recover from his near-death
experience.
SONG?
Bluebeard: You’re my best mates after all(slapping Sneer and Smart on the back).(To the victims, tied to the mast) We’ll deal with you shortly, arrgh, but first we must get the treasure we’ve come for! We need to think of a plan. (To Smee) Arrgh. Pull yourself together, Man.
Smart (Nudging Sneer) We have an idea, Master Bluebeard.
Sneer: We’re not sure how it works, but that starfish, over there…!
He gestures to the magic starfish and
they huddle together in a rugby scrum as Sneer and Smart tell Bluebeard what
they witnessed. The tale is taken up by Sol who speaks over the girls’
smothered attempts to get free.
Smee moans from time to time.
Sol: And so the Pie-Rats told Bluebeard what they’d seen and heard. That Theresa the Turtle had used the power of the Magic Starfish –
Bluebeard: (In disbelief) Go on!
Sol: - to take Captain Quokka and the land animals safely beneath the waves to Octavia’s Grotto. (To Smee) Without a diving helmet!
Bluebeard: (Astounded) Without a diving helmet! They never …. Arrgh.
Sol: (Continuing) Smart and Sneer for the life of them couldn’t remember the magic chant, but Bluebeard knew that Captain Quokka and his friends would soon come searching for the young lovers and then –
This next scene should build in
musical FX and SFX so that it
finishes on a crescendo, with Clarissa’s shriek.
Might be a moment for another SONG or
even a reprise of an earlier one
Bluebeard:
(Laughing evilly) Ha-ha-ha! They’ll have to give me their magic
in exchange for my little hostage (Aside )She’ll never leave here
alive! So that I can descend safely to the sea-bed and recover the lost gold.
Sneer: We’ll be wealthy at last! Arrgh.
Smart: Arrgh That we shall be. We can retire to an island in the Caribbean.
Bluebeard: And I can settle down with that fine wench, Clarissa.!
Clarissa: (Her gag has slipped and she lets out a cry.) Can this possibly be true?
The Black curtain flies in and we
have a scene involving all the characters in training. It is a movement and
music sequence only (there might be a SONG) but I see this scene as
predominantly physical theatre. The coral flat is set, the puppeteers signal the
underwater scene by flying the balloon fish over the apron and out through the
auditorium. The characters appear on the apron, up the steps and on the balcony.
Octavia should observe things from beside the coral flat.
2.5
Under the sea
Theresa: (Speaking over the soundscape/the music ‘scape’ which should set the tone for the mystical quality of the training.) There is no time to lose if we’re to do battle with Bluebeard. (She has a little quirk that makes her invert her lines from time to time, Yoda-like, remember?)Before dawn it must be!
Octavia: There is no time to lose.
After the training session, as the
music fades, the animals adopt their Tai Chi (or other) poses. The lights dim
leaving Captain Quokka CS in a spot.
Captain Quokka: It’s been so long, now - why do still I feel the call of that other life? (Struggling with his emotions). Arrgh. I must not give in! But it was a time of such passion! Such adventure!
Enter Jan, past the coral DSR. He is
clearly immensely stressed.
Jan: (He gasps out his information.) He’s here – Bluebeard and his villainous crew. They’ve captured Marilda. There’s no time to waste. We must save her!
Katzenellenbogen: First my bullion, now my daughter! Where is this Monster?
Jan: Follow me!
He turns and gestures to them all and
they follow him out DSR moving quickly. Music cue.
Sol: (To the audience) A remarkable Mouse don’t you think? An escape artist extraordinaire! Quite the Houdini!
Octavia: (To Theresa) Ah, so the Battle begins.(To Captain Quokka) It is one you must win, my friend.
She swirls around them and exits USL
past the Band, laughing her witch-like laugh. The Mermaid follows, perhaps now
having teamed up with Sequin, and Harlequin.
Spot on Theresa and Quokka, who adopt
their marshal arts position. The puppeteers fly past with the fish, exiting SL
and SR.
Music theme to Blackout.
2.6
SFX seascape again. The curtain flies
to reveal the Pie-Rats who are waiting for the rescue party. Marilda is still
tied to the mast but Clarissa and Nell are tied back to back on the ‘deck’,
guarded by Sneer and Smart with cutlasses drawn.
Bluebeard: (Pacing the decks with Smee, not quite so obsequiously following in his wake. He carries a telescope and peers over the side into the waters) What’s taking them so long! Arrgh. I was sure they’d be here by now! See anything, Smee?
Smee: Nothing, Master, not a thing!
Smart: Why wait, Master Bluebeard? Let’s make these mutineers walk the plank!
Sneer: Arrgh. Yes, let’s. I love a good plank-walking! Nothing cheers me up more!
Bluebeard:
Silence, fools! We must be on guard! We need to be prepared for battle
– BUT we must find out the magic starfish chant before we send them to their
watery graves. Ha! Ha! Ha! (laughs evilly).
Marilda: (Defiantly) You cannot win, Bluebeard. Captain Quokka and all his friends will defeat you! Good will always triumph over Evil!
Bluebeard: (Spinning round) But Ah, Marilda, Captain Quokka is the weak link in this goody-goody chain of yours! Just you wait and see.
Spotlight on Capt Quokka at the back
of the auditorium. His first lines are taken from the back and then he moves
swiftly down to the stage. He is followed onto the stage and onto the ship by
his friends, all of whom carry swords, but wear ‘Ninja” headbands to denote
their new found status as marshal arts experts. They cheer loudly as they
descend.
Captain Quokka: Who is it that calls Captain Quokka weak? Prepare for battle Bluebeard. Draw your sword!
Bluebeard does so and so do Smart,
Sneer and Smee. Clarissa and Nell struggle to their feet in the meantime,
untangle themselves and each grab a sword. They don’t immediately join in the
fray on the side of Bluebeard.
Smart: (Hesitating) as the creatures swarm onto the stage. Arrgh, Master Bluebeard, there are rather a LOT of them!
Sneer: A SURPRISING lot of them!
Smee: (Who’s lost it, in fact).I want my Mu-u-u-m!
Smart and Sneer aim (and miss) a
clout at him. He ducks.
Bluebeard: (Dismissively) What pathetic foot-soldiers you have, Quokka! Your forces are best served up as a sea-food stew – (scoffing at him) Arrgh. Just look at these – these INGREDIENTS!
Katzenellenbogen: (Catching sight of his daughter, tied to the mast) My daughter! She must be freed at once!
Jan: Drawing his sword. We’re here to rescue you, Marilda. Never fear!
Marilda: Oh Jan!
Blue beard: Silence!
Bluebeard places his sword against
Marilda’s throat as the others look on in horror.
Smart: That’ll teach ‘em Master!
Sneer: You don’t mess with Bluebeard the Pie-Rat!
Bluebeard: Tell me the magic starfish charm ! I must get to the ocean floor –
Smee: Where the treasure lies!
Katzenellenbogen: My treasure, you mean!
Col Cucumber: (Taking a step forward) You confounded villain! Release that girl!
Dugong: (To anyone who will listen) I told you he was a nasty piece of work! You won’t get a thing out of me, you dreadful man!
Ms Severity: That poor child! We must rescue her immediately. Crustaceans, positions, please! Penguins! Remember your moves!
The animals take up their positions.
Captain Quokka addresses him!
Captain Quokka: (Sneering slightly) The coward’s way, Bluebeard? I thought better of you! I claim the right, as a former Pie-Rat, to a duel with you – to the end! Beat me in a fair fight and you’ll have your charm – and the treasure.
Katzenellenbogen: (Shocked) MY treasure, you mean!
Bluebeard: En garde. (He takes up the sword fighter’s stance) It’s like old times, Quokka!
They sword-fight traditionally as
everyone looks on. The battle goes first one way then another, but it looks as
if Quokka will be defeated when Theresa calls out from the back of the
auditorium.
Theresa: Time it is for ‘Good’ to triumph! Remember your training!
Ms Severity: (Rallying them to the cause) “Crouching penguin, hidden dugong”
Music cue, SFX indicate the shift as
the animals engage. They start their moves much to the astonishment of the
Pie-Rats, who can’t get them to lock swords. Meanwhile, Jan, Clarissa and Nell
release Marilda.
Quokka: Crustaceans! Advance!
The crabs position themselves with
their claws up, raise their legs in unison and move off stage – completely
–sideways.
Crustaceans: (Struggling to remember their moves) Pincer movement, pincer movement – to the left!
Ms Severity: Advance, Crustaceans, advance!
Crustaceans: (Returning) Pincer movement, pincer movement – to the right!
They exit SR followed by Ms Severity.
Ms Severity: Advance, I say, girls, ADVANCE!
Dugong: How very odd of them!
She adopts a rather excessive pose,
matched by Col. Cucumber’s mirror image of it and the two of them twirl off to
the side, rapt in their own movement.
Priscilla and Prunella get caught up
in their movement too and, mirroring each other’s moves, befuddle Smart and
Sneer who, semi-hypnotised, start to mimic
them. Smee, too tries to produce a Tai Chi movement, but fails. They all freeze.
[All this will be music cued so
will need to be synchronized]
Katzenellenbogen and Van Dyk join Marilda and the others USC
When the ‘battle’ finishes
(despite the loss of most of his troops) we find the tables turned with
Bluebeard overpowered by the ‘crouching tiger, hidden dragon’ moves of
Captain Quokka. Quokka will have adopted the Karate Kid pose over him.
Bluebeard: Enough! Enough! Arrgh. I cannot bear any more! (He places an arm over his eyes)
Captain Quokka: And so the Dark Side retreats! Thanks to my First Mate, Theresa, who taught us all so well.
Enter the Crustaceans, sideways, led
by Ms Severity and followed by Desiree and Col Cucumber. The
Pie-Rats Sneer, Smee and Smart link up with the Penguins as Clarissa and Nell
step forward.
Clarissa: (To Bluebeard) My disguise is no longer needed.
Bluebeard: (Surprised, as she helps him up.) Clarissa, is it you?
Clarissa: Indeed it is, Bluebeard, and I’m here to continue the process begun by Captain Quokka this very day –
Nell: (To the assembled crew, confidentially) She plans to reform him!
Quokka: (To Bluebeard) It’s a quieter life, but a good one!
Sneer: No more pillaging and plundering!
Smart: No more polluting!
Smee: No more walking the plank!
Bluebeard:
No more keel-hauling, Arrgh. (Slightly regretfully)
Clarissa: But we’ll be happy, Bluebeard, now that you’ve seen the error of your ways.
Katzenellenbogen: Aren’t you forgetting something? There’s the little matter, I must remind you, of my lost treasure! Without it, I am ruined.
Priscilla: Oooh look! There’s Octavia!
Prunella: Whatever is she carrying – it looks very heavy.
Octavia enters SR carrying a chest
filled with gold coins. She is assisted, as always, by the Mermaid who is now
accompanied by both Sequin and Harlequin.
Octavia: (To Katzenellenbogen) Here it is, then. The treasure you’ve all been searching for! Much good may it do you! Now I hope you’ll leave me in peace?!
Theresa: Your realm is safe, again, Madam. We thank you for your help.
During this speech the animals gather
in their groupings to perform the finale.
Sol: And that’s where the story ends – happily (as all the best stories do). Mijn Heer accepted Jan as his son-in-law, Clarissa and Bluebeard opened a tavern in Batavia, the other Pie-Rats are still on holiday in the Caribbean.
As for the creatures of Rottnest – they returned to their island and lived happily ever after. Desiree the Dugong was so delighted with the life-style that she moved into Geordie Bay and may be there still for all I know.
(Gesturing DSR where Van Dyk is seen in a very colourful shirt, a beret perched on his head, sunnies as well as a frilled neck-cloth to indicate the past and present simultaneously, painting a simple set of waves) Van Dyk liked it here so much, that he gave up portraits forever and remained on the Island
And that’s the story that my mother told me, and her mother before that, and her mother before that!
All: Three cheers for Captain Quokka – and the children who believed in magic.
Sol: Magic, makes anything possible.
SONG and DANCE
FINIS
Back to... Week Nine - Week Ten
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Script and Music - Act One Script and Music - Act Two Photo Gallery Production Wrap-up Cast and Crew Party
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This page last updated: 16th January 2006