Children's Theatre: Script and Music
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...or go to... Script and Music - Act Two
Captain
Quokka’s Adventures on the High Seas
A
Play in Two Acts
by
Jenny
de Reuck
Sol
the Seagull
- Kate Reid
The
Islanders
Captain
Quokka, a reformed Pirate
- Paul Grabovac
Miss
Severity, a Lobster
-
Alexa Taylor
Desiree
Dugong, an Adventuress
- Ilona Bartsch
Colonel
Cucumber, a Sea Lion
- Stephen Pearce
Priscilla
Penguin
- Caris McGabe
Prunella
Penguin
- Ng May Yen (May)
Theresa,
a Sea Turtle
- Melissa Merchant
The
Dutch
Katzenellenbogen,
a mercenary Spice Trader
- Andrew Kocsis
Marilda,
his daughter, a playful Kitten
-
Bree Hartley
Van
Dyk, an inadequate Artist
- John Jarzabek
Jan
Pierawiet, a heroic young Mouse
- Daniel Stone
The
Pie-Rats
Bluebeard,
the villainous Captain
- Steven Knoth
Clarissa,
a retired Actress
- Lauren Boon
Nell,
her Handmaid
- Rohan Macdougall
Smart,
the First Mate
- Jane Woodroof
Sneer, a Pirate in Training
- Brittany Barnes
Smee,
a drunken Pirate
- Alex Olivares
The
Undersea Creatures
Crustacean
Chorus:
Calypso
-
Michelle Brown
Chloe
-
Jodie Firman
Cordelia
-
Carol Li-an Chia
Caprice
-
Erica Hedstrom
Octavia,
a Blue-Ringed Octopus
-
Shola Monger
Harlequin,
a mystic, her familiar
-
Sophie Fryer-Smith
Sequin,
a shy Sea Horse
- Ai Ling Yeo
Mermaid
- Jessica
Sharkbait
(the band)
Al
CaPrawn
- Nick Choo
Bugs
Abalone
- Paula Calleja
Don
GioManta
-
Giulio Rosa
Corlione
the Claw
- Brendan Jones
1.1.
[1: OVERTURE]
The
stage is set with a flat depicting a section of the coral from the underwater
scene (Act2). As the auditorium lights dim (LFX) we hear the sounds of the sea
(SFX) washing over the stage. Seagulls call across the wave-scape and the
Puppeteers enter from the back of the auditorium, flying the seagull puppets
down to the stage and exiting SR and SL in front of the black drops.
Sequin,
the Sea Horse peeps round the flat DSR and ducks back away when she sees all the
children. She slowly peeps out again, moves a little way out, gets stage fright
and dashes back behind the coral flat. Harlequin, a beautiful coral fish,
cloaked in the multi-coloured diamond patterns that her name suggests (and
carrying a jelly-fish crystal ball, trailing its purple fronds) enters DSL and
calls to Sequin, beckoning her, encouraging her to come out of hiding.
Harlequin:
Come along, now, Sequin. Don’t be shy! There’s nobody here who’ll
hurt you. (To the Band). No offence, but ‘Sharkbait’ just isn’t
dangerous! (The Band look at each other a little indignantly. They speak with
broad, comic Italian mafia accents)
Don
GioManta: (Aggressively)
You talkin’ to me.? You say I’ma not dangerous –
Corlione
the Claw:
(Boastfully) You’re not dangerous, Don GioManta. But
looka me! (Holds up his claw.) Everyone’s afraida me! Corlione the
Claw!
Bugs
Abalone:
Don’t be silly. We’re NOT dangerous – we’re right at the bottom
of the seafood chain as you very well know. You tell them, Al CaPrawn. We end up
as … as bait (she is upset at the thought) or- or as tasty morsels in a
seafood risotto. No one’s afraid of us!
Al
CaPrawn:
(He’s really cool). Chill, kid.
We’ve got this gig to perform. Now, Bugs Abalone, you listen to me.
Lose the grief. It’s about the music, man … the music …
Al
CaPrawn hits the keyboard. The others get back to the essential issue here,
picking up their instruments. SFX fairy dust Harlequin looks at her crystal
ball.
Harlequin:
Ooops! (She should be rather vague and scatter-brained, with fluid
gestures, picked up in the trailing of her costume)That’s Octavia the Sea
Witch calling. We’d better not keep her waiting. (To the Band, anxiously). There’s
something on the current, I believe – a message from the coral reefs up
North (to Sequin.) Come along, now, Sequin. We must be off. When Octavia
summons us, we listen! (She raises the jellyfish in a grand gesture).
To Octavia’s Grotto! (Clicks as if encouraging a horse).
Follow me.
Sequin
reluctantly comes out, noting the children but giving them a wide berth as she
moves across the stage, nervously. She and Harlequin exit past the coral, a
sweeping movement from each of them establishing their characters through,
gesture, costume and LFX.
Fade
to black. Except for the Band.
SFX
Seagulls, sea.
1.2
The
musicians start the Seagull theme as the lights come up on Seagull
perched on the rails of the balcony SR. The coral set is removed and the Dutch
windmill. A signpost DSR indicates that this is “Amsterdam in Holland”
[2: THE
SHOW WE PUT ON TODAY, I’LL GUIDE]
Seagull:
(Surveying the audience: to the Musicians) Thank you, Al CaPrawn,
thank you, thank you. But that’s enough of that for the moment. It’s lovely,
but I have to start the play, you know. (Looks nervously over her
shoulder, to the unseen forces of dramatic control. To the audience,
confidentially.) The Directors are a bit fierce – and there are so MANY of
them! None of us dare argue with them, they run a very tight ship – you’ll
see!) (SFX Ringtone. She
takes a conch shell from her pocket and listens, nodding vigorously). (Indicating
her mobile). My shell-phone. (To the voice on the other end)
Absolutely. Yes, of course – not another word … (in a stage whisper)
That’s
the Stage Manager – a terrifying woman, absolutely terrifying. (Mimes
her going off at her as she puts the shell-phone away). But I’d better not
waste any more time. My role in this play: (leans forward expansively) my
starring role That’s the Stage Manager – a terrifying woman,
absolutely terrifying. But I’d better not waste any more time. My role in
this play … my starring role … is
to say:
Welcome
to our theatre! Welcome to our play!
I
trust you will enjoy the show that we put on today!
Through
Captain Quokka’s Adventures on the great High Seas!
Well, I’m sorry; I’m being a little bit rude, aren’t I? I beg your pardon – let me introduce myself:
My
name is Sol the Seagull – a virtuoso fair!
A
time-a-travelling, chippy-eating gull extraordinaire!
I’ve
got a tale to tell you (I’m quite a raconteur),
Passed
down from my mother by her mother before her!
The
story, that is. My mother’s mother heard it from her mother, and hers
before that!
We
were there in the beginning, when these affairs took hold!
(Well,
I was just a fledgling with a sticky beak, I’m told!)
We
seabirds are the creatures who go down in history, for
We
represent the Keepers of the Tribal Memory!
So
sit back in your seats now; we’re about to have some fun –
With
animals of land and sea, you’ll love them, every one!
I
promise you’ll be watching with a smile upon your face –
So
join me as I take you to another time and place,
In
this tale of adventure, of action wild indeed!
Of
lost children and shipwrecks, of violence, spite and greed!
In
Captain Quokka’s Adventures on the great High Seas!
Listen
… and watch. Do you see what I see?
1.4 [3:
SCENE – THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE NEVER DOES RUN SMOOTH]
She
slides down a rope (climbs down a ladder) onto the stage. Crosses to the band-
stand and narrates the next section as the characters mime the action. Music
underpins the narration.
Sol: It all began a long time
ago (as the best stories always do). There was once a rich Merchant in Holland (twirls
the windmill blades) who had a beautiful daughter, Marilda.. Look, there he
is now - having his portrait painted by an up-and-coming artist, Mijn Heer Felix
Van Dyk.
She
is invisible to the characters and plays off this relationship between herself
and the audience. Unseen she peers over the shoulder of the Artist and shakes
her head in disbelief at the poor quality of the portrait.
As
Sol speaks the above, Mijn Heer Katzenellenbogen (a merchant Cat with a thriving
business in the SpiceTrade) enters DSR with Mijn Heer FelixVan Dyk (the artist,
who positions his easel and begins to paint with extravagant gestures.)
Katzenellenbogen strikes an arrogant pose in imitation of a Dutch old master.
His daughter, Marilda (a Kitten), runs on (from DSL) and kneels before
him pleading with him. She may have a ball of string/wool hanging from her
skirt, which she twirls in her anxiety.
Sol
Seagull:
Now Marilda was in love with a most unsuitable boy, Jan Pierawiet – a
penniless peasant and a … (aside, softly) rodent. Mijn Heer
Katzenellenbogen is most displeased as you can imagine
- (she indicates the
action to follow with a gesture)
Marilda:
Oh Father, please, just listen to me. How can you be so cruel? (She
tugs at the hem of his robe)
Katzenellenbogen:
No more, Marilda! I have had enough of your tears and sighs. I will not
be moved. My answer is ‘NO!’ And that’s the end of it.
Marilda:
But Father, I love him – and he loves me! Look, there he is, come to
ask your permission to court me.
Jan
Pierawit (a Mouse!) enters DSL, his hand over his heart as he looks lovingly
over at Marilda.
Jan: Indeed, I have come,
Mijn Heer (bowing low) to seek your permission to court your daughter
whom I love more than life.
Katzenellenbogen:
How dare you! The effrontery of it! You penniless rogue! You – you – MOUSE!
(He is lost for words). You’re not fit to scrub her floors. My daughter
and a lowly MOUSE! I forbid you to see each other ever again! Van Dyk,
Marilda, follow me. (Turning on Jan Pierawiet who makes a gesture to his
sword but thinks better of it)
As
for you, you useless rodent! Never darken my doorstep again!
Exit
Katzenellenbogen DSR in a rage. The Artist abandons the task and rushes after him. With the canvas
under his arm, facing the audience his talent should be revealed as minimal: he
has drawn a smiley cat-face
Jan
stands aghast, centre stage as Marilda runs towards him. The lovers embrace.
Sol: Now the path of True Love never does run smooth, but Jan consoled Marilda, saying he was off to sea:
Jan:
I’m off to sea, Marilda,
Marilda:
Oh, Jan!
Sol:
- to make his fortune –
Jan:
To make my fortune!
Marilda:
Oh, Jan!
Sol:
- And no matter what her father said
Jan:
No matter what your father says
Sol:
He would return one day!
Jan:
I shall return for you one day…
Marilda:
Oh, Jan!
Sol:
If only she would wait for him…
Jan:
Just wait for me, Marilda!
Sol: He presses a locket (given to him by his mother on her death bed) into her hands as a keepsake.
Jan:
Wear this, my mother’s dying gift to me, for my sake.
Marilda:
Oh, Jan. I shall wear it always!
He
kneels and kisses her hand, and then exits DSL. Marilda weeps. Lights down on
apron. LFX Spot on Seagull. She takes out a large handkerchief, sniffs loudly
and empathetically, pulls herself together, and sits on the edge of the stage.
Sol
Seagull:
(Energetically, to keep the narrative pace) Time passes, as it always
does, and our young lovers have been apart for a year. And business, we
discover, has not been good for Mijn Heer Katzenellenbogen. Listen, here they
come. How sad Marilda looks. (Sighs).
Marilda
enters and sits on a stool, sewing, (knitting?), but more often than not looking
at her locket and gazing into the distance.
Katzenellenbogen:
(Entering DSR, clearly worried, followed by Van Dyk who is still
trying to do his portrait. Impatiently brushing him aside) Not now, man,
can’t you see this is not the time (He glances at the image) And any
way you need to work on the shading – light and dark, ‘chiaroscuro’ as the
Italians call it. There’s still no news at all of the Duyfken, which should
have returned by now. Why have I heard nothing? When will my ship come
in?
Sol:
Well,
I’ve got news for him! It won’t!
There’s
gossip floating in the air:
En
route to the Spice Islands, where –
Katzenellenbogen:
(Catching sight of Seagull) How did that bird get in here? Out you
go, then, out! OUT! (He shoos him away)
Sol
Seagull:
(From the ‘safety’ of the auditorium. Indignantly) That’s
it, then! I’m not going to tell him what happened. He’ll just have to find
out for himself!
Katzenellenbogen:
(Coming to a momentous decision). Van Dyk, we must find my ship.
Without it, my business is doomed. As soon as the tide is right we’ll set sail
for the Spice Islands, north of the Great Southern Land. If my gold has fallen
into the wrong hands ….
Sol
Seagull:
(Aside) Which it most certainly has! Little does he know!
Katzenellenbogen:
All will be lost! Come -there’s not a moment to lose! Follow me.
They
exit DSR with the ‘portrait’ once again displayed by Van Dyk to the
audience. And now it’s a smiley cat face painted bright yellow.
Marilda:
(LFX Locket glows) What can this mean? Jan’s locket … it’s
trying to tell me something.
Jan: (SFX Voice Over)
Go with them, Marilda. … Find the Duyfken … I need you.
Marilda:
(Startled by these events)
Oh, Jan’s in great danger! I feel it. I must find him – even
if I have to go to the ends of the earth! (Calling)
Father, wait, I’m coming with you! (Exits DSR.)
Sol Seagull: Well, isn’t this exciting! It’s time, I believe, to meet some of the other characters in my ‘international’ story!
Let us fly across the oceans, across the hands
of time
To the island of all islands: exquisiteness
sublime!
The place known as Rats’ Nest (the Dutchmen
used to brand):
It’s
Rottnest, off the coastline of the Great Southern Land!
1.5
Music
reaches a crescendo and the Blacks fly to reveal Scene 1, Rottnest Island, the
new sign on the signpost. Rostra for elevation at the back with the cut out
waves signaling the sea. Puppeteers fly seagulls across the stage. Fishing nets,
baskets or large starfish props. strategically placed on the levels, or DS in
front of the side panels. Sol Seagull may be half way up the ladder by this
time. [4: WE OF FORWARD THOUGHT BUT SIDEWAYS
MOBILITY]
Crabs:
We try and try and try and try
Through countless crabby tears we’ve cried
We train and train and train and train
Rehearse, rehearse but then again,
We always feel disgustified: we still walk to the side!
Calypso:
No,
Caprice:
No,
All: To no avail!
Ms Severity, we just would like to say we’re
Sorry (Cordelia sustain)
Calypso:
Sorry,
Caprice:
Sorry,
Chloe:
Sorry,
Cordelia:
We’re
All: Trying not
to fail! (They move, but sideways)
We
watch and hear and see and learn, but in the end, we are denied:
We
work and work but crash and burn, still walking to the side!
We’re
forward-thinking beings with shells; but in the end, we say, “oh well
Mobility
is not for me (me, me, me!) – we’re walking to the side!”
Severity:
That’s as much as I can stand…I mean, that’s all we need to do
today, children. Your movements are coming along fairly well, but it takes
commitment, and dedication and pain, I’m afraid, if you want to
improve your postures and move normally like I do.
Caprice
Crab: Well,
if it it’s painful, then I don’t want to move like you do. Already I’m
confused. I can’t tell my front from my back from my side (spins round and
falls in a heap.)
Cordelia:
(Struggling with the movements) Neither can I!
Calypso: Come along Caprice, Chloe, Cordelia, we’ll get it right.
Let’s all do it together.
Colonel
Cucumber, the Sea Lion enters USL. He is extremely ‘British’ with a
handlebar moustache and a very marked aristocratic accent. He is slow to anger
and scrupulously polite. He is at the mercy of Ms Severity’s feminine wiles.
But she is obsessed with Captain Quokka (as we’ll soon discover).
Sea
Lion:
Ahoy there, young crabs. Morning Ms Severity. (Bows politely) If
you little scallywags want to join in the Scavenger Hunt, you’d better get
going. We want to be ready for Captain Quokka’s return. Priscilla and
Prunella, the Penguins, who were on lookout duty, have spotted the sails of the
good ship ‘Courage’ just beyond the West End, so he’ll be here soon. Off
you go now – but hurry back when the scavenging’s over.
Crabs:
(Together and over each other) I LOVE scavenging. And scrimmaging
– and just scuttling about. Off to join the Scavenger Hunt!!
They
exit (sideways) in all directions. Singing? SFX wind. The storm begins to build.
Ms
Severity:
The wind’s coming up in the west. I do hope Captain Quokka isn’t
caught by the storm.
Sea
Lion:
Have no fear, my dear, he’s the finest ship’s captain that ever
walked the decks, and with a first mate like Theresa Turtle by his side, he’ll
bring ‘Courage’ safely to shore. But there’s certainly a storm brewing.
Ms
Severity:
(Not convinced) Mmmnnn. But I don’t like the look of this.
There’s something on the tides (she takes a moment to let her feelers
register what she senses) No, can’t tell, yet. But something’s not right
about this storm.
Priscilla
and Penguin flutter in. They’re a bit dim-witted, very anxious, but extremely
submissive and loyal to Captain Quokka and they’re both equally concerned
about the change in the weather.
Priscilla:
Ooh! This is awful. This storm has come from nowhere. I know Captain
Quokka is the finest captain afloat, but the reefs around our island are so
dangerous.
Prunella:
Why those strange boats that sail past our beaches are forever crashing
into them and sinking without a trace. I can still hear the cries of those poor
creatures who went down with the ‘Abendster’ a little while ago.
Together:
They haunt my nightmares.
Ms
Severity:
Pull yourself together, gels! Captain Quokka doesn’t need you to have a
fit of the vapours. When he hoves to into the Bay, we should be ready to help
him disembark. So kindly restrain yourselves and cease these flights of fancy.
Priscilla
and Prunella subside, mortified by
the reprimand.
Sea
Lion: (Comforting
the Penguins) Never fear m’dears, he knows these reefs better than anyone.
Climb up the rocks near that Seagull, Priscilla, there’s a good girl, you too
Prunella, and see if he’s in sight yet. I must say, this storm is picking up.
What. But the Captain enjoys nothing more than a challenge to his seafaring
skills.
Ms
Severity:
(Dreamily) It takes him back to the days when he sailed the Seven
Seas, as brave a Buccaneer as ever flew the skull and cross-bones from the mast
of a wooden barque. [5: THE DAYS AND ADVENTURES WE
SHARED]
Sea
Lion:
But those days are long gone. Our Captain Quokka saw the error of his
ways – he’s a pirate no more.
Ms
Severity: But
it was all so romantic then!
Those were the days! Oh, the adventures we shared!
La la la, la la la, la la la, la la
Those were the days!
Sea Lion:
My dear Madam, you cannot seriously wish to return to those times! Why,
we have every comfort we could desire on the island.
Ms
Severity: But
where’s the excitement, the sense of adventure?
The thrill of uncertainty, trouncing the danger?
Oh, those were the days!
Seagull:
Well, little does she know it: adventure lies in store!
Suspense as she could ever wish for, soon to wash ashore!
But first we must remember: Captain Quokka comes our way…!
Priscilla:
(Through her telescope, aimed USR). A sail, a sail! That’s
Captain Quokka and the ‘Courage’.
Prunella:
Oh, look! He’s made it past the reef. Hurrah! He’s safely ashore! (Stage
business as they ‘watch’ the ship weave its way through the reefs: leaning
to left, leaning to right.)
As
Priscilla and Prunella speak, a puppeteer moves across the stage with a
two-dimensional cutout of a sailing ship (‘Courage’) SFX landing –
creaking of sails, wood, and the gangplank being lowered. The storm abates.
Shouts from the ship offstage (“Ahoy there!”; “Bring her about!”;
“Reef the mains’l”, etc.etc.
Seagull
gets involved in the excitement and she and the Penguins cheer the Captain on.
High fives (flippers?) all round as he comes on stage. [6:
SKIPPER OF THE STURDY BARGE] Captain Quokka enters, followed by his first
mate, Theresa Turtle and a visitor to these parts, his companion, Desiree the
Dugong.
All onstage:
Sing and heave and heave and sing, heave and make the handspikes spring!
Reef the mains and man the sail: see, how Courage doth prevail!
Holystone gripped in each hand: Courage now has touched the land!
Captain
Quokka:
(Other Characters:)
Port and starboard, steer her straight!
(Port and starboard, steer her straight!)
Side boys fetch the duffel freight!
(Side boys fetch the duffel freight!)
Tars who stand before the mast
(Tars who stand before the mast)
Dance and sing, we’re here at last!
(Dance and sing, we’re here at last!)
All:
O’er the vast and deep blue sea: Courage, far as th’eye can see!
Captain Quokka, man in charge, skipper of the sturdy barge!
O’er the bed of ocean blue, Courage comes with a mighty crew
Theresa:
I’ll just take a quick dive below, Sir, to see that we’re properly
anchored. I thought I heard something on the hull as we were coming about just
then.
She
dives underwater, signaled by the waves at the back of the stage.
She
is a highly trained sea turtle with an extraordinary martial arts capacity. She
is the Captain’s right-hand woman and has seen him safely though several
escapades. She is capable of moving between both realms (whether on land or
under the sea) and so functions as a mediator between the underwater creatures
and those on the land.
Captain
Quokka: Thank you Turtle.
Arrgh. What a fine First Mate I have in her! (Slapping Sea Lion on the back
and bending over Ms Severity’s outstretched claw.)
Well, me hearties. That was quite an experience!
Dugong:
(Straightening her skirts and adjusting the laces of her ample bosom.
)It most certainly was. For a moment there, sirrah, I thought we were doomed
to join the lost souls in Davey Jones’ locker!
Captain
Quokka: (Chuckling)
Arrgh. Not with my hand on the helm, my dear.
Ms
Severity:
(Bridling at the implied criticism of her hero) There’s not a
finer sailor on the Indian Ocean than Captain Quokka. He knows the reefs like
the back of his own hands.
Priscilla
Penguin: (Clutching his arm)
Oooh. I’m so glad you’re back safe and sound, Captain. These winter storms
are so wild.
Prunella:
(Clutching his other arm) We thought you might run onto the reefs
and – and – you know … sink down to Octavia’s grotto.
Captain
Quokka: (Jovially) Now,
now m’dears. Of course I’m back (disengages the Penguins), and with
a fair passenger – (he bows in Dugong’s direction) – I picked up on
the Abrolhos Islands. Welcome, Madam, we Islanders will give you a taste of our
Western hospitality. (He offers her his arm.)
Dugong:
Thank you Captain. You are most kind.
Sea Lion:
To the ‘Quokka Arms’, then everyone. (He offers a flipper and Ms
Severity takes it, leaving the Penguins to follow in their wake.) The
Captain must be thirsty –
Priscilla
Penguin: - and hungry.
Sea
Lion:
After his trip to sea.
All:
O’er the vast and deep blue sea: Courage, far as th’eye can see!
Captain
Quokka, man in charge, skipper of the sturdy barge!
O’er
the bed of ocean blue, Courage comes with a mighty crew
Prunella:
I wonder what’s on the menu today?
They
begin to exit USL when suddenly the Crustacean Chorus scuttle in. They’re in a
state and once again interrupt each other as they speak.
Calypso
Crab:
Quick, come quickly – there’s something –
Chloe
Crab:
- some ONE, you mean!
Cordelia
Crab:
Washed up by the storm.
Caprice
Crab:
And we don’t know if he’s dead or alive! We saw him in Little
Parakeet Bay –
Calypso
Crab:
- the Harlequin Fish called us to help.
Chloe
Crab:
But he was so heavy, we couldn’t move him.
Sea
Lion:
We’d better check this out, Captain Quokka. Someone may need our help.
Captain
Quokka: There may be more to
this than meets the eye – a body washed up on our shore… aargh … I wonder
if this has anything to do with those rogues up North. (Coughs.) Ahem. No
need for concern, dear Ladies.
Ms
Severity:
(Excitedly) Concern! My dear Captain, I smell an adventure. I
thought there was something on the wind. I could just feel it!
Dugong:
If there’s an adventure to be had – I’m your woman!
“Concern” is not a word associated with Desiree the Dugong! The
Quokka Arms can wait! Let’s inspect this ‘body’ the young crustaceans have
discovered.
Prunella:
(Looking at a map of the Island) It’s quicker to go by the Bay.
Priscilla:
Yes, let’s follow the coastline.
Captain Quokka: Arrgh.
We’ll investigate this matter and return. Come then young Crabs – show us
where you found him.
They
Exit USR. SFX Seagulls over storm as puppeteers fly seagulls across the apron
and EXIT SR and SL
Theresa
Turtle and Harlequin appear USC behind the waves. Peeping shyly through the
waves Sequin can be seen.
Theresa:
(Stepping across and onto the rostrum). This is bad news,
Harlequin. Are you sure your crystal ball is reliable? The Pie-Rats are really
on the move again?
Harlequin:
Indeed they are. My crystal ball never lies. I got a very clear signal
from the Butterfly fish on the Abrolhos. They’re coming our way. And Octavia
is furious because she knows they’ll be invading her spaces again in search of
the bullion they’ve lost.
Theresa:
(To the audience). Bluebeard the Pie-Rat. Now there lies a tale.
My master, Captain Quokka, once sailed the Indian Ocean with him. Never was
there a greater friendship than theirs! Sailors cut from the self-same canvas
they were! Brave-hearted, good and true! But things changed, Bluebeard grew
greedy and more and more nasty and my master could stand it no longer. He gave
up his piratical ways and retired to Rottnest.
Harlequin:
(She’s been transfixed by her jelly-fish crystal ball.) Octavia’s
coming into focus. What can this mean?
Theresa:
(Musing, staring ahead) It is as was prophesied many years ago.
She summons us all to her grotto to receive our instructions. The moment has
come for a great Sea Battle. A battle between the forces of light and the forces
of darkness. (Almost to herself) Ah, my Captain, Fate now takes a hand.
Your destiny – our destiny, here near this great southern land
is upon us!
Harlequin:
(Anxiously) Come Sequin, follow me. We must warn the others! (She
exits SL behind the waves, followed by Sequin)
LFX
fade on stage. Spotlight on Theresa, who adopts the Karate Kid pose.
Theresa:
(Whispering) Do you dare…?
1.6
The
blacks fly in and (LFX) lights come up on the balcony SR and later on the apron.
The scene is a Tavern in Batavia (indicated by the signpost DSR). Two of the
Pie-Rats appear on the balcony, ale jugs in hand, singing. [7:
BRANDY POURED OUT IN A TARNISHED FLUTE]
Pie-Rats:
Bring on the black jack! Yea, serve the grog!
Drinks are the bounty that makes us all agog!
Pour out the brandy in a tarnished flute
Show us the hogshead of fine bumboo!
A hundred gallons, enough for me and you!
With salmagundi, a scrumptious spread
Before we’re off and running to the head!
Solo Pie:
Arrr, Bluebeard arrives! (Adlib)
Bluebeard:
I’m Bluebeard the Pie-Rat, a buccaneer,
‘A-treasure-seeking’ describes my grand career!
I pillage and plunder from A to Zed…
Pie-Rats
only: Before we’re
off and running to the head!
Bluebeard:
Arr! The memory of many a raid:
The
Queen Of Scots and the Old Maid,
The
Monkey Jacket and the Jig –
So
many a ship where I’ve struck it big!
The jewels and diamonds and silver and gold,
I steal ‘em away because I’m so bold!
The Duyfken, new on my resume – (to audience)
I may even come for you some day! (Grabs a wench and
dances?)
Bluebeard & Pie-Rats:
Hail, Bluebeard the Pie-Rat – a bandit proud!
To you, the glory – we’ll sing your name aloud!
A brilliant brigand who
cannot lose –
To you, we raise our voices and our booze!
To
you, we raise our voices and our booze! (Cheers, adlib)
Bluebeard:
Arrgh! Service! Clarissa! What’s keeping that woman! What sort of
tavern is this, I ask you! Where’s my dinner? Arrgh. I’ve a ship to sail and
the tide waits for no-one! Don’t let that map out of your sight, Smee, d’ya
hear! Arrgh.
Smee:
(Clutching it to his bosom). I’ll guard it with my life,
Captain.
Bluebeard:
My dinner, Woman! What’s keeping you?
Clarissa:
Now, now, Master Bluebeard. Such impatience! Control yourself, sir. Your
dinner is on its way.
Nell
enters SL, carrying a covered dish, perhaps with a dry-ice FX to suggest its
heat. She is clumsy and bumbling and terribly nervous in the presence of so
fierce a customer as Bluebeard.
Nell:
(She rushes her words, perhaps, her sentences tripping over each
other.) Your supper, Master Bluebeard. It’s just what you ordered (peers
under the lid). Abalone steaks (Bugs gives an audible squeal from the
Band), with some deep-fried manta ray rings (Don GioManta drops his
guitar and makes a move toward Bluebeard but is pulled back by Al Caprawn) and
then there’s lobster thermidore (Corlione puts his claw to his mouth
in shock and disbelief) finishing up with some delicious chili prawns (a
groan emanates from Al CaPrawn). All baked in a delicate piecrust just as
you like it. Yum. (She smiles nervously at him as she places the
covered dish on the table.)
Smee:
(Entranced by the food.) What a wonderful sight.
Clarissa:
(Arms akimbo, looking at Bluebeard.) You’re not known as a
Pie-Rat for nothing, it seems.
Bluebeard:
Watch your tongue, you insolent wench! And get your face out of my food,
Smee. (Aims a cuff at his ear, but Smee ducks in time!)
I set sail at sunset and those idiotic men of mine (arrgh) are nowhere to
be seen! (Pounds the table) If they’re not here in five minutes (arrgh!)
(he grows more and more furious as he speaks) I’ll have them
keel-hauled, I’ll have them walk the plank, I’ll have them flayed alive …
Nell
backs away and retreats behind her Mistress as Bluebeard becomes progressively
more irate. Smee retreats, similarly, hiding behind Nell.
Clarissa:
(Mocking him, slightly ironically) And then you’ll have no-one
to trim the sails, or keep watch from the crow’s nest, or man the helm when
you need a rest now will you? Not to mention the fact that you need them,
foolish as they are, to help you plunder the ships and fight your battles all
the way up and down the coast.
Bluebeard:
(Struck by her wisdom, slightly mollified) Arrgh. You’re right, of
course, but no Pirate Captain was ever beset by a greater pair of fools than
those two. Where have they got to? SNEER! SMART! What game d’ya think
you’re playing – arrgh!!
Sneer:
(Leaning perilously over the balcony: and peering down at his Master)
Arrgh, Mr Smart, it’s us that
he’s shouting about.
Smart:
(Slurring his words) So it is! (Arrgh). So it is! But we’re too
far away to hear what he’s saying. (Arrgh). And what’s more (he staggers
slightly). I won’t be spoken to like that. Mr Sneer. I’m the First Mate
after all. And I’m still thirsty. (Drinks the last drop in the jug).
Sneer:
(A little anxiously) But he’s working himself up into a great
rage, Mr Smart. And Bluebeard the Pirate in a rage is a fearsome sight.
Smart:
Bluebeard the Pirate when he’s not in a rage is a fearsome sight!
Sneer:
Nods in agreement. (Arrgh) That he is! That he is!
Bluebeard:
I’ll give them one last chance, Clarissa! Sneer, Smart the ‘Black
Albatross’ is about to set sail. I know where the gold bullion from the
Duyfken lies – “full fathom five” – off Rottnest Island where we
pillaged and plundered it. (Aside) That foolish young rodent who tried to
fend us off will be at the bottom of the ocean by now – food for the fishes -
another of my many victims! (He laughs unpleasantly. To Smart and Sneer)
If you men are not on board when Smee weighs anchor (arrgh) your share of the
treasure will be mine – all mine! Ha! Ha! Ha! (He picks up a lobster claw
from the plate and strides off stage DSR, laughing evilly.)
Smee:
Wait for me, Master. I have the map that shows us where the treasure
lies. (He demonstrates by holding up the map which shows the treasure chest
marked with an ‘X’.)
Sneer
and Smart look at each other, down the last drop together, and then rush off in
response to the threat to their livelihood.
Smart:
(Rolling forward and peering down) That Smee will NOT get his paws
on my share of the treasure!
Sneer:
(Swaying slightly, possibly hiccupping by now) Not if I can help
it!
Together:
Down to the docks!
[8:
TOGETHER – LIFE IS BUT AN EMPTY PAGE]
Clarissa:
(Sighs. To Nell) Well, nothing really changes, does it Nell. Here
I am, once again, clearing up after Bluebeard who is about to leave me - again.
I’m just the girl in this port, to him, but, oh, I remember a time when things
were different, before we fled from Merry England and he became what he is today
- an evil Pirate and I – to be with him in his shame - left the theatre
forever.
Nell: Oh, Mistress Clarissa, all
those wonderful parts you played! How the audiences cheered. (SFX the memory,
sound of an audience clapping)
Clarissa: Someone
once said, “All the world’s a stage” –
But my life is just an empty page
Waiting to be filled in. I know that I’m reeled in.
We belong together. We belong together.
Close my eyes, and I see my name ablaze,
Reflected in the Captain’s loving gaze…
I yearn for the spotlight, but everything is not right:
We belong together. Yes, we belong together.
But what can I do? He turns away, and he won’t hear a single word I
say.
Should I keep on dancing…? Life won’t turn around.
But I will not say never! We belong together… (Dance … with Nell?)
We belong together! We belong together.
I know
there’s more to him than people think. And this time I won’t be left behind
when the Black Albatross sails away! I’m going with him if it’s the last
thing I do! Help me into my costume, Nell! We’ll not be playing the woman’s
part in this next escapade!
Nell: (Giggling in
excitement.) Oooh, Mistress Clarissa. It’ll be just like old times!
LFX
Fade on Apron. Lights up on Seagull sitting on the balcony. She continues with the story.
Sol: (To the audience.)
I like Clarissa and Nell, don’t you? But Bluebeard and the other Pie Rats are
really rather horrible. Let’s leave them there for the moment, setting sail in
the “Black Albatross” and head back to “Rottnest Island” where the
Islanders have made a Very Interesting Discovery!
.
The
blacks fly to reveal the Rottnest Island scene again where the creatures are
gathered round a somewhat bedraggled Jan Pierawiet, CS, who opens his eyes to
see them assembled around him. The sign points to “Little Parakeet Bay”. SFX
seagulls and waves. Theresa and Harlequin, with Sequin in tow, swim up behind
the waves and watch carefully.
1.7
[9: THE TRAGIC STORY OF ONE YOUNG JAN PIERAWIET]
Crustacean
Chorus: (Nervously sidling up to him, as a group. Pointing with their claws,
but hiding their faces) There it is! The thing we saw. Look, it’s moving! (They
scurry away together and huddle in fear CS at the rear.)
Jan: (Sitting up and
looking dazedly around him). Where am I? What happened?
Ms
Severity: You’re on Rottnest
Island, my lad, and by the looks of things, lucky to be alive!
Desiree
Dugong: Indeed, if the storm hadn’t
washed you ashore you’d have gone to meet your maker!
Ms
Severity:
(To Dugong) These warm-blooded creatures are so limited, really.
Desiree
Dugong:
(Muttering agreement.) Yes. Yes. So limited!
Captain
Quokka:
Now, now, Ladies, let’s not offend our young visitor. What brings you
here to our southern shores, young fella? You seem to have a tale to tell.
Jan:
Well, it’s a long story, really …
Priscilla:
Oh, do tell us! We love stories.
Prunella:
Light the fire, Priscilla and let’s hear what he has to say.
The
Crustaceans:
A story, a story! (They
sidle into a semi circle round the fire with Jan in the middle)
Sol
Seagull picks up the narrative. As Jan ‘speaks’ he mimes the events with the
other characters all reacting in mime to the details he depicts.
Sol: Jan Pierawiet told the creatures his story… At first, he spoke in bits
and pieces, as he was clearly still confused. He said:
“I was alone! There was a storm! (animals react in pauses)
I tried to row away from harm…”
He was distressed, but he still remembered! And he went on,
“T’was dark!” he says. “And the ship – it was dismembered!”
Sea Lion:
Now, now, let’s begin at the beginning. Who are you? And how did you
come to be washed up on our Island?
Sol: He was among
those on the Duyfken as it sailed through the night
And everyone was sleeping; everything seemed all right,
When suddenly there was a loud commotion on deck:
And running up, Jan found himself a sword to the neck!
Pie-Rats had invaded, there were swarming aboard
With weapons sharp and deadly as they searched for the horde!
From the ‘Black Albatross’ the Pie-Rats attacked!
Out of the blue! They came and pounced!
And they announced, announced, announced…
Animals: What’d they announce?!
Sol:
“There’s no escape! We will succeed!
We won’t be kind – such is our creed!
We will pillage, pollute and plunder!
We’ll rob you blind! And we’ll be rich,
While the rest of you go under!”
Theresa: It’s just as we feared, Captain Quokka. Bluebeard is coming this way.
Sol: By some
miracle, Jan managed to break out from the fray –
He leapt into a rowboat and he boated away!
The Pie-Rats pilfered, pinched and plundered,
Tore through the craft,
While Jan sailed on the waters in his delicate raft!
The skies were dark and cloudy, thunder rumbled with glee,
A storm raged loud and mighty, tossed him into the sea!
He buckled, flailed and floundered as the Duyfken went down –
He nearly drowned! And in his head, the Pie-Rats said, they said,
they said:
Animals: What’d they say!?
Sol: “There’s
no escape! We’ll be around!
We want you dead – we’ll hunt you down!
For you know too much about us!
We’ll rob you blind! We’ll move in quick!
We’ll get you, don’t you doubt us!”
Sol: “There’s
no escape!
Others: But you escaped!
We will succeed!
They won’t succeed!
We won’t be kind
They’re so unkind!
Such is our creed!
We’ll intercede!
We will take on every measure! We won’t let them
We’ll carry out
Carry out their dirty deed,
Our evil plans!”
Their evil plans!
Sol:
But Jan also had the pleasure of knowing
Where to find the Duyfken’s treasure! –
He
knew the exact position of the bullion from the Duyfken, Mijn Heer Katzenellenbogen’s
ship, which sank a few nautical miles off Rottnest!
Jan: Bluebeard and his
villainous henchmen, I fear, will not be far behind.
Captain
Quokka: (Somberly) We
are all in great danger, my friends. These Pie-Rats will stop at nothing to
regain their treasure. Prunella, Priscilla – keep a lookout for the sails of
the ‘Black Albatross’!
They
waddle off and climb the ladder and, using their telescopes, peer into the
distance.
Crustacean
Chorus:
(Together) This is awful!
Calypso:
You know what they’ll do, don’t you?
Chloe:
We’ll be crab pate
Cordelia:
Oooh! Don’t say that!
Caprice:
But it’s true!
With
a little shriek, they scuttle off and, like mini ostriches, crouch down,
covering their heads with their claws
Prunella:
There’s someone coming round the headland!
The
Crustaceans look up, shriek and hide in the sand. The other animals all gather
to look at who’s coming from DSR
Priscilla:
(Over her shoulder) They’re not Pie-Rats! But who are they?
Sol
Seagull:
It’s Mijn Heer Katzenellenbogen, with Marilda and Felix Van Dyk the
inadequate artist! (She looks at his drawing). They’ve come to Rottnest
because they’ve heard that this is where the Duyfken went down. And
Katzebellenbogen wants his treasure back!
Marilda,
Katzenellenbogen and Van Dyk enter as Sol speaks, dusting the sand and seaweed
from their clothes. They carry a trunk with their belongings in it and Van Dyk
places
his easel down, SR. The image on
his canvas is a little more advanced – some whiskers, perhaps and a tail. He
sits on the trunk and takes in the scenery. He will have a change of style as
Act 2 progresses – moving from portraits to landscapes.
[10:
FAITHFUL LOVE, HERE AT THE END]
Katzenellenbogen:
(To the assembled creatures.) Greetings from the Old World. (He
bows low and Marilda curtseys, stepping forward as she does so.)
Jan
sees her and steps towards her. LFX Spot on the two of them as the other
characters freeze and the stage lights dim.
Jan: Can it be?
Marilda:
My faithful love!
Jan: Here at the end of
the world!
Marilda:
See, I’m still wearing the locket you gave me…
Both: My faithful love!
Katzenellenbogen:
(LFX returns to normal) Enough of this! We are here on a mission.
I am told that Captain Quokka is the man to help me find the Duyfken and my
buried treasure.
Captain
Quokka: Indeed. And so I will.
But first we must defeat a wily opponent! This young man has escaped the
clutches of my sworn enemy but he’s headed this way -
Colonel
Cucumber:
Bluebeard the Pie-Rat!
Jan:
To find your gold, Mijn Heer.
Marilda:
(Afraid. Clasping his hands) Oh Jan! They will destroy us!
Crustacean
Chorus: (Together) We’ll be crab chowder! We know it!
Miss
Severity: Nonsense
girls. We will have to think of a plan! It can’t be that hard!
Dugong:
I met him once, you know! And a nastier creature it would be hard to
find. Wanted me to walk the plank! I ask you. Clearly had no knowledge that even
if I did I’d merely swim away! We sea-creatures don’t have their
limitations!
Colonel
Cucumber:
Bluebeard, I’m afraid, has very few limitations. What! But there must
be something we can do.
Theresa:
Indeed there is! And I know the very creature who can help us!
Captain
Quokka:
Of course you do! What would I do without you, Theresa.
Harlequin:
(Looking into her jelly fish) It’s just as you predicted,
Theresa. How do you do it?
Theresa
looks inscrutable. Perhaps she and Captain Quokka exchange a look?
Theresa:
The future see I! Much knowledge have I …
Harlequin:
You saw this coming! We’ve been summoned to the Grotto. Octavia wants
us all to attend her there. She has something very important to tell us.
Severity:
Let’s be strong though the future is unclear
On
my own, all my hope might disappear, but
There
are many of us. The answer’s plain and obvious:
We
must stand together! We must stand together.
Dugong: She’s right! If we work as a group, I know we can go up
against the Pie-Rats!
(Pie-Rats appear on the balcony)
Quokka
& Good Creatures:
Bluebeard & Pie Rats:
One might break, but a group will persevere! We’ll hunt you down! Such is our creed!
Though things might be uncertain,
We will pillage, pollute and plunder!
It’s not our final curtain
We’ll rob you blind! We will indeed!
If we stand together.
And watch you buckle under!
We will stand together!
We will stand together!
(Clarissa and Nell on balcony)
Good
Creatures:
Pie Rats:
Clarissa, Nell:
Let’s be strong
There’s no escape!
What can I do?
Though the future is unclear
We will succeed!
He turns away
We’ll hunt you down!
Though we’re scared
Such is our creed!
And he won’t hear
And plunder!
In our plight, so slighted
We’ll rob you blind!
Should I keep on dancing?
We will be united!
We will indeed!
Life won’t turn around
We will stand together!
And watch you buckle under!
But I will not say never!
We will stand together!
We will stand together!
We
will stand together!
Company:
End of ACT ONE
1.8
Sol Seagull’s conch (‘shell phone’) rings and she listens to the
voice on the other side.
Sol:
Is it really? Already? Right, then. (To the audience) That’s the
Stage Manager! And she says it’s “INTERVAL”
Lights
up. House lights up.
SFX
CD from sound box
Back to... Week Thirteen
...or go to... Script and Music - Act Two
View other 'Quokka' production extras... Draft Music - Act One Music - Act Two
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