It's crunch time everybody! The day of the competition is here! Sorry it's taken SO LONG! NEARLY THREE MONTHS! ARGH! Anyway, I've decided to split up the Competition into three parts, since the list I have is VERY LONG!
Here are the list of songs for this chapter:
1. "I Have the Touch" - Peter Gabriel.
2. "Can Utility and the Coastliners" - Genesis: Steve Hackett - 'Genesis Revisited II'- 2012 version.
3. "The Living Years" - Mike + The Mechanics.
4. "Bungle in the Jungle" - Jethro Tull.
5. "Stripped" - Depeche Mode: Shiny Toy Guns' 2006 version.
6. "There! Right There!/Gay or European?" - Legally Blonde: The Original Broadway Musical.
7. "You'll be in my Heart" - Phil Collins.
8. "Sleepsong" - Secret Garden.
9. "More Fool Me" - Genesis: original 1973 version.
10. "Right Here" - Ashes Remain.
At the starting point of each song, I've put a marker for them right before you should start to play them. They're all on YouTube, so they're all easy to find and listen to. It's easier than it sounds! :-D
Now! Enjoy!
"Now presenting the English competitors from Middleham High School in North Yorkshire!" the presenter announces, and the audience and the three judges clap as the entire Gang walk onstage. After quickly setting up the instruments as the clapping continues, the members all line up on the centre stage.
"Hello," the German judge speaks, smiling at them all, "how are you all young people today?"
Ned steps forward with a microphone in his hand. "Nervous, Sir!" he smiles back.
"There are many of you, aren't there?" the French judge remarks as Ned steps back into line. "Are you all one group of friends?"
"Yes."
"That's quite remarkable. What do you call yourselves? Do you have a name?"
Ned motions to Richard further down the line. "We call ourselves 'Richard and the Gang' or 'The Gang' for short. We named it after my little brother Richard over there."
"That's sweet. Are you all here, or are there more of you at home?"
"There's a lot of us back home, some are too young to get involved in these sorts of things. They're in Year 10. Some aren't able to, though, even though they're the same age as by little brother there."
"And what is the age range of your group here?"
"Well, Tudor's-" points to Henry further down the line and Tudor waves at the judges- "going into Year 11 in September. I'm 28, but I'm a big part of the school and help out there a lot. Geoff's-"- points to Geoff who waves as well- "actually going to Uni in September, so he's the oldest at the moment if you don't count me and my other brother Edmund, who's 27."
Edmund waves.
"I'm Ned," Ned says.
The judges chuckle. "You seem like a lovely group of people. Have you been practising hard?"
"Have we guys?" Ned smirks.
"YES!" all cheerfully yell back in response.
The audience and judges chuckle.
"Well," the Spanish judge grins, "good luck to you all."
"Thank you."
The audience claps as the lights fade and the figures as seen scrambling to get into position.
The light shines on the lone figure of Clarence, who is stood on a podium. "Hello, I'm Clarence, Ned's brother," he says. "Welcome to our performance this afternoon. We are often told that we are not like most groups, that we are a remarkable group of people. Today, we will take you to music and theatre across several decades, from Genesis in the '70s, to Legally Blonde in the modern day. We hope you enjoy the effort we have put in today for you. Thank you." The light fades once again.
(Play the song 'I Have The Touch' by Peter Gabriel here.)
(The audience claps and cheers and the lights flash back on as music blares out of the speakers, the light shining on Hal now on the drums. Tonnes of people, dressed up in normal work clothes, bustle on and off stage as cardboard buses and cars drive by past cardboard shops and buildings. A lone figure struggles through the crowd and is pushed out to the front as the crowds start to disperse and move about around him. The light shines on this figure, Ned, as he stumbles about for balance.)
Ned: The time I like is the rush hour, 'cause I like the rush.
The pushing of the people, I like it all so much. (Follows the crowd.)
Such a mass of motion, do not know where it goes.
I move with the movement and, I have the touch.
(He reaches out and grabs Edmund's hand and shakes it, then lets go as the crowd continues to move around him. Ned tries to walk in among them as he starts to sing again.)
Ned: I'm waiting for ignition, I'm looking for a spark.
Any chance collision and I light up in the dark!
There you stand before me, all that fur and all that hair!
Oh, do I dare? I have the touch.
(Reaches out and grabs Edmund's arm. Pulls him towards Richard and Clarence, now stood beside him. He starts to pull at them all frantically.)
Ned (Pulling on them.): Only, only-
York Brothers (Trying to pull away from him.): Wanting contact!
Ned: I'm only, only-
York Brothers: Wanting contact.
Ned: I'm only, only-
York Brothers: Wanting contact-
Ned: With you. (He starts to move around frantically, shaking his hands in their faces.)
Ned: Shake those hands! Shake those hands! Give me the thing I understand!
Shake those hands! Shake those hands! Shake hands! Shake hands!
(Spins around in a circle.)
Ned: Any social occasion, it's hello, how do you do? (Turns, bows to Richard and shakes his hand. Moves back into the crowd again.)
Ned: All those introductions, I never miss my cue.
So before a question, so before a doubt.
My hand moves out and, I have the touch.
(Reaches out and grabs Edmund's arm. Pulls him towards Richard and Clarence, now stood beside him. He starts to pull at them all frantically.)
Ned (Pulling on them): Only, only-
York brothers (Trying to pull away from him.): Wanting contact!
Ned: I'm only, only-
York Brothers: Wanting contact!
Ned: I'm only, only-
York Brothers: Wanting contact-
Ned: With you. (He starts to move around frantically, shaking his hands in their faces.)
Ned: Shake those hands! Shake those hands! Give me the thing I understand! Shake those hands! Shake those hands! Shake those hands!
(Spins and drops to his knees.)
Ned: Pull my chin, stroke my hair, scratch my nose, hug my knees- (Grabs at them.)
Ned: Try drink, food, cigarette, tension will not ease! I tap my fingers, fold my arms, breathe in deep, cross my legs! Shrug my shoulders, stretch my back - but nothing seems to please-
(Runs his hands through his hair.)
Ned: I need contact!
I need contact! (Pulls at them more.)
Nothing seems to please-
I need contact! (They start to move away from him.)
(The lights start to flash in different colours frantically in all directions.)
Ned: Tact, tact, tact, tact, contact!
Tact, tact, tact, tact, tact! Tact, tact, tact, tact, tact, contact!
Tact, tact, tact, tact, tact! Tact, tact, tact, tact, tact, contact!
(The music suddenly stops, the lights go off and shuts the stage off in darkness and Ned falls to his knees.)
The audience whoops and cheers for Ned and, in the dark, you can see him scurrying around into the next position, only to fall over the stage curtain. The audience laughs, amused, as Ned smiles and waves before disappearing behind the curtain.
"That was our brilliant Ned, singing 'I Have the Touch' by Peter Gabriel!" Harry appears in the middle of the stage, smiling. "Peter Gabriel was originally part of a 1970s band called 'Genesis' and one of their most well known songs was 'Can Utility and the Coastliners'. Today, we will cover the recent version that Steve Hackett, the famous guitarist of Genesis, did in his 'Genesis Revisited' albums."
The lights fade and the audience claps appreciatively.
(Play the song 'Can Utility and the Coastliners' by Steve Hackett (the guitarist of Genesis) and Steve Wilson from his 2012 "Genesis Revisited II" album here.)
(The light focuses on Tudor, who is stood alone. George starts to play the guitar softly as Tudor sings.)
Tudor: The scattered pages of a book by the sea.
Held by the sand, washed by the waves.
A shadow forms: cast by a cloud!
(Loki creates shadow on the stage from where he is backstage.)
Tudor: Skimming by as eyes of the past! But the rising tide absorbs them effortlessly claiming.
They told of one who tired of all, singing,
"Praise him, praise him."
(Richard and Ned kneel before Edmund.)
Tudor: "We heed not flatterers," he cried.
(Edmund pushes them away and steps towards the centre of the stage, raising a sword high as the illusion of water approaches him. The audience are transfixed.)
Tudor: "By our command, waters retreat!
Show my power, halt at my feet!"
(The water seems to splash at Edmund's feet.)
Tudor: But the cause was lost,
Now cold winds blow.
(The drums start to play and the light shines on Hal as he plays them. The light shines on Clarence on bass and Val on the keyboards. Tudor starts to move about the stage.)
Tudor: Far from the north: overcast ranks advance.
(Clouds cover the stage.)
Tudor: Fear of the storm: accusing with rage and scorn.
The waves surround the sinking throne.
Singing, "Crown him, crown him".
(Ned is yelling at the other male members of the Gang on stage to kneel before Edmund.)
Tudor: "Those who love our majesty show themselves!"
(Ned and Richard kneel before Edmund. The other male Gang members on the stage follow suite.)
Tudor: All bent their knees.
The other members on the instruments (softly): Aaaahhh!
(The long instrumental starts to play, the audience are transfixed at the lights constantly moving about the stage, as Edmund commands the water to retreat again and again. People run about, praising the King constantly. But all fails...)
Tudor: But he forced a smile even though his hopes lay dashed where offerings fell.
(People constantly praise Edmund, though he starts showing signs of nervousness.)
Tudor: Where they fell!
(The long instrumental continues, the lights glowing off Clarence, Val, George and Hal as they play, eyes closed in contentment as the play.)
Tudor, Val, Hal, Clarence + George: "Nothing can my peace destroy as long as none smile."
More opened ears and opened eyes, and soon they dared to laugh.
(The light shines brighter as Ned and Richard laugh at Edmund.)
Tudor, Val, Hal, Clarence + George: See a little man with his face turning red-
(Edmund seems to shrink.)
Tudor, Val, Clarence, Hal + George: Though his story's often told you can tell that he's dead!
(He collapses as the instrumental speeds up suddenly and then quickly stops. The lights fade out again as the audience whoop and cheer once more.)
"Hello, I'm Macbeth." The light shines up on Macbeth, also on a podium. "That song was 'Can Utility and the Coastliners' by 'Genesis', sung by our one and only Henry Tudor-"
The light shines briefly on Tudor, at his keyboards, who smiles and waves.
"It was released on their album, 'Foxtrot' in 1972," Macbeth continues. "Now, however, we go forward to 1988 where the guitarist of Genesis, Mike Rutherford, released a song with his side career band 'Mike + The Mechanics' that had an important impact on many people's lives. It is 'The Living Years'.
(The lights fade again and the audience claps respectfully.)
(Play 'The Living Years' by Mike + The Mechanics here.)
(Tudor starts playing the keyboards as the light shines on him. Then the light shines on Clarence as he plays the electric guitar. Then the light shines on Hal as he starts to sing.)
Hal: Every generation...
Blames the one before.
And all of their frustrations...
Come beating on your door.
I know that I'm a prisoner to all my Father held so dear.
I know that I'm a hostage...
To all his hopes and fears.
I just wish I could have told him in the living years...
(The light shines on the centre area of the stage as Hal gets up to move around the stage.)
Hal: Ohh, crumpled bits of paper.
Filled with imperfect thought.
Stilted conversations...
I'm afraid that's all we've got.
You say you just don't see it.
He says it's perfect sense.
You just can't get agreement
In this present tense.
We all talk a different language...
Talking in defense.
(The lights shine on Kate, Thor, Loki, Anne, Isabel on the left side of the stage, standing in a choir position.)
Choir: Say it loud.
(Light shines on Hal.)
Hal: Say it loud.
Choir: Say it clear.
Hal: Woah, say it clear.
All: You can listen as well as you hear
Choir: It's too late.
Hal: It's too late...
Choir: When we die.
Hal: Woah, when we die...
All: To admit we don't see eye to eye.
(Hal leaps back to centre stage as the drummer (Richard) and guitarist (Clarence) begin to heavily play.)
Hal: So we open up a quarrel.
Between the present and the past.
We only sacrifice the future...
It's the bitterness that lasts!
(Holds his hands out to the audience.)
So don't yield to the fortunes!
You sometimes see as fate.
It may have a new perspective
On a different day.
And if you don't give up, and don't give in you may just be O.K.!
(The light shines on the right-hand side of the stage with another choir of: Harry, Romeo, Edmund, Hermia, Juliet, Geoff and Slim, along with everyone else on the stage.)
All: So, say it, say it, say it loud!
Both choirs: Say it clear!
Hal: Woah, say it clear!
All: You can listen as well as you hear!
Choirs: It's too late...
Hal: It's too late...
Choirs: When we die
Hal: It's too late when we die!
All: To admit we don't see eye to eye!
(The light focuses on Hal and the rest of the stage goes black. Hal's hands begin to shake and tears start to pour down his face.)
Hal: I wasn't there that morning...
When my Father passed away.
I didn't get to tell him...
All the things I had to say.
I think I caught his spirit...
Later that same year.
I'm sure I heard his echo in my baby's new born tears!
I just wish I could have told him in the living years.
(The light shines back on everyone.)
All: So, say it, say it, say it loud!
Choirs: Say it clear!
Hal: Woah, say it clear!
All: You can listen as well as you hear!
Choirs: It's too late!
Hal: It's too late...
Choirs: When we die!
Hal: It's too late when we die!
All: To admit we don't see eye to eye!
Hal: Hey! So say it, say it, say it loud! Say it loud!
Choirs: Say it clear!
Hal: Woah, say it clear!
Choirs: Say it loud!
Hal: Don't give up! Don't give in! You don't what 'till it's too late...
(The lights and sound start to fade and the audience roars its approval as the Gang start to move around again.)
"Get ready to go down to the jungle, everybody!" Ned appears on the stage, wearing a hawaillan shirt a flower necklace, sunglasses and holding a suitcase. He pulls out a list and starts to move around the stage as he checks items off. "Suncream: Check! Playboy magazine: Check!"
The audience laughs.
"Alcohol: Check! Fan: Check!"
Richard creeps onto the stage, wearing a lion mask, growling.
"Lion spray: Check! Now all I need is a-"
Ned sees him and gulps. "LION! AHH!"
He runs off the stage, Richard following, and the audience bursts out laughing as the lights dim down again.
(Play Jethro Tull's "Bungle in the Jungle" song here.)
(Lion sounds start to echo throughout the hall, and the light shines on Harry as he plays the flute in a Robin Hood outfit. Geoff appears with Edmund behind him, Harry in front.)
Geoff: Walking through forests of Palm Tree Apartments!
Scoff at the monkeys who live in their dark tents!
Down by the waterhole, drunk every Friday.
Eating their nuts, saving their raisins for Sunday.
Lions and tigers who wait in the shadows!
They're fast but they're lazy and sleep in green meadows!
(Spins around in a circle, grabs Hermia and spins her around.)
Geoff: Well, let's bungle in the jungle!
Well, that's all right by me, yeah.
Well, I'm a tiger when I want love!
But I'm a snake if we disagree!
(Trots along behind Harry as he plays the flute while hopping like the Pied Piper.)
Geoff: Just say a word and the boys will be right there!
With claws at your back to send a chill through the night air.
Is it so frightening to have me at your shoulder?
Thunder and lightning couldn't be bolder.
I'll write on your tombstone, ''I thank you for dinner''!
This game that we animals play is a winner.
(Trots up and down the stage.)
Geoff: Well, let's bungle in the jungle!
Well, that's all right by me, yes.
I'm a tiger when I want love!
But I'm a snake if we disagree!
(He hops around Harry as he plays the flute, while Edmund, Hermia, and now Macbeth and Banquo follow him.)
Geoff: The rivers are full of crocodile nasties.
And He who made kittens put snakes in the grass.
He's a lover of life but a player of pawns!
Yes, the King on His sunset lies waiting for dawn!
To light up His Jungle as play is resumed.
The monkeys seem willing to strike up the tune!
(Grabs Macbeth and Banquo's hands and spins around.)
Geoff: Well, let's bungle in the jungle!
Well, that's all right by me, yes.
I'm a tiger when I want love!
But I'm a snake if we disagree!
(Harry stands in the middle of the spinning circle, standing on one leg as he plays the flute.)
Geoff: Well, let's bungle in the jungle!
Well, that's all right by me, yes.
Well, I'm a tiger when I want love!
But I'm a snake if we disagree!
Well, let's bungle in the jungle!
Well, that's all right by me, yes.
(The lights fade as all continue to spin and the audience roars. In the darkness, the next positions are taken.)
"Hello, I'm Edmund," the light shines onto the lone figure of Rutland who stands at the bottom of a staircase. "That song was Jethro Tull's 'Bungle in the Jungle' from their 1974 album 'War Child', sung by our one and only Geoffrey Plantagenet." The light shines briefly on Geoff, who waves to the crowd as he peeks out from behind the stage curtain.
The audience laughs and Edmund smiles. "Now, we go to the 1980s, where we cover the 2006 cover of one of Depeche Mode's most famous songs: Stripped."
(The audience claps respectfully as the lights die down again.)
(Play Shiny Toy Guns' version of Depeche Mode's "Stripped" song here.)
(The lights come back on to reveal Sigyn stood alone on the stage, the only source of light in the room is directed on her. She gently starts to sing as the instrumental plays in the background.)
Sigyn: Come with me, into the trees.
We'll lay on the grass, and let the hours pass.
(As the land is described, the surroundings start to change and the audience watches, again transfixed, as they are taken into a woodland setting, literally, courtesy of Loki's illusions and a screen projector.)
Sigyn: Take my hand.
Come back to the land.
Let's get away.
Just for one day.
(The light suddenly shines up on a flight of stairs that had been hidden in the dark. Loki is at the top.)
Loki: Let me see you stripped down to the bone!
Sigyn (still looking at the audience from where she stands centre stage): Let me hear you speaking just for me.
Loki: Let me see you stripped down to the bone!
Sigyn: Let me hear you crying just for me.
Loki: (Starts to walk down the spiral steps to the stage as the light solely shines on him.): Let me hear you make decisions!
Without your television!
Let me hear you speaking just for me!
(He slowly starts to approach her as the instrumental plays from the other Gang members playing their instruments in the background.)
Loki (his voice echoes out): Ohhhh! Ohhhh! Ohhhh! Ohhhh! Oooohhhhh!
(He stands closely behind her.)
Loki: Metropolis.
There's nothing on this.
You're breathing in fumes
I taste when we kiss.
(Holds his hand out to her as she turns to face him.)
Loki: Take my hand.
Come back to the land.
Where everything's ours.
Both: For a few hours...
(They disappear into the dark as the instrumental plays again.)
Loki's voice echoes again: Ooohh! Ooohh! Ooohh! Ooohh! Ooooooohhhh!
(The light shines suddenly on the stage in colours of green and gold and Sigyn is stood at the top of the stairs while Loki looks up from where he stands at the bottom of them.)
Loki: Ooohhh, let me see you stripped down to the bone!
(He takes a step up. She takes one down)
Sigyn: Let me hear you speaking just for me.
Loki: Let me see you stripped down to the bone!
(Another.)
Sigyn: Let me hear you crying just for me.
Loki: Let me hear you make decisions!
Without your television!
(A step.)
Loki: Let me hear you speaking just for me!
Sigyn: Let me hear you crying just for me.
(Another.)
Loki: Let me hear you speaking just for me!
Sigyn: Let me hear you crying just for me.
(Another. One more step and they'll be face to face.)
Loki: Let me hear you speaking just for me...
Sigyn: Let me hear you crying just for me...
(As the light dies down, their silhouettes are seen hugging one another on the wall. The audience cheers, loving every moment of this school's performance.)
(The stage lights up to see the furniture has been reassembled to look like that of a court room. Romeo is sat in the witness box, wearing sun glasses and a Hawaiian shirt. Kate is in the judge box while everyone else is either on the prosecution or the defence side. Those not on it are the jury. The entire Gang is assembled onto the stage as the instrumental for a musical song echoed on stage loudly from a CD player.)
(Play the song 'There! Right There!" from the musical 'Legally Blonde' here.)
(Anne leaps to her feet and points at Romeo as he checks his nails absentmindedly.)
Anne:
There! Right there!
Look at that tan, that tinted skin.
Look at the killer shape he's in.
Look at that slightly stubbly chin.
Oh, please he's gay, totally gay!
(Thor stands up and shakes his head.)
Thor:
I'm not about to celebrate.
Every trait could indicate the totally straight expatriate.
This guy's not gay, I say not gay.
(The others all stand up, looking at each other conspirateltely.)
All:
That is the elephant in the room.
Well, is it relevant to assume that a man who wears perfume is automatically, radically fey?
Richard (points to Romeo's clothes):
But look at his coiffed and crispy locks.
Anne:
Look at his silk translucent socks.
Thor:
There's the eternal paradox.
Look what we're seeing...
Anne:
What are we seeing?
Thor:
Is he gay?
Anne (Points a hand at Romeo again.):
Of course he's gay!
Thor (Holds up his hammer in the air.):
Or European?
All:
Ohhhhhh. (Face palm.)
Gay or European?
It's hard to guarantee.
Is he gay or European?
(All look to Hal as one.)
Hal:
Well, hey don't look at me!
Hermia (Stood up.):
You see they bring their boys up different in those charming foreign ports.
They play peculiar sports.
All (Stand up.):
In shiny shirts and tiny shorts. (Sit down.)
Gay or foreign fella?
The answer could take weeks!
They will say things like "ciao bella!" while they kiss you on both cheeks.
Anne (Sits down.):
Oh please!
All:
Gay or European?
So many shades of gray!
Hal (Stands up again, the only one stood up.):
Depending on the time of day, the French go either way. (Clarence pulls him down.)
All:
Is he gay or European?
or-
Isabel (Furiously stands up):
There! Right there! (Points to Romeo's smirk.)
Look at that condescending smirk.
Seen it on every guy at work.
That is a metro, hetero jerk.
That guy's not gay, I say no way!
All (Whisper to each other conspiritaley again, eyes wide.):
That is the elephant in the room.
Well, is it relevant to presume that a hottie in that costume...?
Anne:
Is automatically-radically...
Thor:
Ironically chronically...
Hermia:
Certainly pertin'tly...
Hal:
Genetically medically...
All (Stand up as one, pointing furiously at Romeo):
GAY!
OFFICIALLY GAY!
OFFICIALLY GAY, GAY, GAY, GAY! (Romeo flirts with Kate by waving at her.)
DAMNIT! (All sit down furiously as one.)
All: Gay or European?
Thor:
So stylish and relaxed.
All:
Is he gay or European?
Thor (Turns to Loki next to him and points at Romeo.):
I think his chest is waxed.
Hermia (Stands up again.):
But they bring their boys up different there; it's culturally diverse.
It's not a fashion curse.
All:
If he wears a kilt or bears a purse.
Gay or just exotic?
I still can't crack the code.
Juliet:
Yet his accent is hypnotic but his shoes are pointy toed!
All:
Huh.
Gay or European?
So many shades of grey!
Kate:
But if he turns out straight I'm free at eight on Saturday!
All:
Is he gay or European?
Gay or European?
Gay or Euro-
Richard (Stands up and turns to Thor.):
Wait a minute!
Give me a chance to crack this guy; I have an idea I'd like to try.
Thor (Gestures to proceed.):
The floor is yours.
Richard (Approaches Romeo, who is leaning back with his hands behind his head.):
So Mr. Argitacos...
This alleged affair with Ms. Windam has been going on for...?
Romeo:
2 years.
Richard:
And your first name again is...?
Romeo:
Mikos.
Richard:
And your boyfriend's name is...?
Romeo:
Carlos. (Everyone gasps loudly.)
I'm sorry! I misunderstand. You say boyfriend.
I thought you say best friend. Carlos is my best friend.
(Mercutio stands up at the back, hands on hips, furious.)
Mercutio:
You bastard! (Everyone's heads whirl round and they gasp.)
You lying bastard!
That's it! I no cover for you, no more!
Peoples.
(Throws his hands in the air.)
Mercutio: I have a big announcement!
This man is Gay and European!
(Everyone gasps again: WHOA!)
Mercutio: And neither is disgrace! You've got to stop your being a completely closet case!
(Walks down the steps towards the Witness Box that Romeo is in and slaps him on the head.)
Everyone: Doh!
Mercutio: It's me, not her he's seeing!
No matter what he say.
I swear he never, ever, ever swing the other way.
You are so gay.
You big parfait!
You flaming boy band cabaret.
Romeo (Stands up in indignation.):
I'm straight!
Mercutio (Winks.):
You were not yesterday.
So if I may, I'm proud to say...
He's gay!
All (Stand up and sit down.):
And European!
Mercutio:
He's gay!
All (Stand up and sit down.):
And European!
Mercutio:
He's gay!
All:
And European and Gay!
Romeo (Throws his hand in the air.):
Fine, okay I'm gay!
All:
Hooray!
(As the instrumental plays, the Gang all get up and start milling around and dancing. As the instrumental draws to a close, the light shines on Romeo and Mercutio as they leap in the air at the front.)
Romeo and Mercutio (High-five in mid-air.):
Fine. Okay. We're gay!
(The audience whoops and cheers as the lights die down.)
"Good afternoon, France!" The light shines on Thor on a pedestal, holding his hammer in one hand and a microphone in the other. "How are we doing on this lovely day? Good? Great! Over there is my brother! Say hello, Loki-"
"Hello, Loki!" the audience replies, laughing as the light shines on the blushing youth.
Thor laughs. "No, he's suppose to say hello to you! Come up here, little brother!"
Loki shakes his head but Richard pushes him forward and the youth reluctantly climbs up onto the pedestal next to his brother.
"Say hello, Loki!" Thor shoves the microphone into his brother's face.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen..." Loki says. "May I apologise for my brother's antics. Thor is currently addicted to sugar and cannot keep his mouth shut."
The audience laughs out loud.
"Oh, Loki, that's cruel!" Thor pouts. "Isn't he cruel to his lovely brother, everyone?"
"Boo!" the audience yells back.
"Oh, Thor, as if I'd be cruel to you!" Loki simpers back. "That's Mother's job!"
The audience laughs again.
"I'll just get your girlfriend to snap you back into shape if you are cruel to me!" Thor challenges back.
"That's not all she does..." Loki suggestively waggles his tongue and eyebrows to the audience and they roar into laughter.
"Loki!" Thor shoves him playfully. "Gross! The audience doesn't want to know what you get up to!"
"Oh, Thor, I jest. You know I'll always have your back, right?"
"Of course!" Thor turns to the audience. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is for everyone who feels alone! Remember, your friends and family will always have your back!"
(The lights start to fade out...)
"Of course!" Loki grins.
(The lights go out and Loki's laugh echoes eerily across the hall. "Ehehehehehe!")
(Play the song 'You'll be in my Heart' by Phil Collins here.)
(The instrumental plays softly and Ned walks up the steps to the stage, where Richard stands at the front.)
Ned: Come stop your crying, it will be alright.
(Takes his brother's hand.)
Ned: Just take my hand.
Hold it tight.
(He wraps an arm around him and holds him closely to his chest.)
Ned: I will protect you from all around you.
I will be here, don't you cry.
(Thor enters on stage with an arm around his younger brother.)
Thor: For one so small, you seem so strong.
(Engulfs him in a hug.)
My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm.
This bond between us...
(Places a hand on his.)
Can't be broken.
I will be here, don't you cry.
(Ned and Richard stand back to back, as do Loki and Thor.)
Ned + Richard: 'Cause you'll be in my heart.
Ned: Yes, you'll be in my heart.
Thor + Loki: From this day on!
Now and forever more.
You'll be in my heart.
Thor: No matter what they say.
All: You'll be here in my heart.
Ned: Always.
(Tudor enters with Clarence.)
Tudor: Why can't they understand the way we feel?
Clarence: They just don't trust what they can't explain.
Tudor: I know we're different but deep inside us...
Both: We're not that different at all...
Ned + Richard: And you'll be in my heart.
Thor: Yes, you'll be in my heart.
Thor + Loki: From this day on!
Now and forever more.
(Hal appears top right on the stairs while Mercutio appears at the bottom.)
Hal: Don't listen to them.
'Cause what do they know?
York Brothers: What do they know?
Hal: (Rushes down the stairs and engulfs Mercutio in a hug, embracing him): We need each other!
To have, to hold!
Both: They'll see in time...
Hal (smiles): I know.
(Harry appears next to Clarence and Tudor. Clarence walks over to Ned beside Richard, along with Edmund.)
Harry: When destiny calls you!
You must be strong.
(He places a hand on Tudor's shoulder.)
Norse Brothers (Left-Stage): You gotta be strong.
Harry: I may not be with you.
But you've got to hold on.
Ned + Richard (Centre-Stage): They'll see in time...
Tudor: I know.
Thor (Turns to look Loki in the eye and rises their joined hands in the air): We'll show them together.
Norse Brothers: 'Cause you'll be in my heart!
Ned (Turns to his all of brothers and embraces them): Believe me, you'll be in my heart!
Harry: I'll be there from this day on!
(Hal collapses onto his knees, hands in clenched prayer, facing the audience.)
Hal: Now and foreeeeeveeerrr!
Thor +Loki: Oh, you'll be in my heart!
Hal: You'll be here in my heart!
Ned: No matter what they say!
Hal: I'll be with you!
York brothers: You'll be here in my heart!
Hal: I'll be there, always.
Always.
(He stands up as the others slowly separate and start to leave the stage as the light fades out gradually.)
Hal: I'll be with you.
(He starts to back away from Mercutio.)
Hal: I'll be there for you always.
Always and always.
Everyone: Just look over your shoulder.
Just look over your shoulder.
Just look over your shoulder.
I'll be there always.
(Everyone disappears down the steps and the light dies down to a close.)
(Play the song 'Sleepsong' by Secret Garden here.)
Kate + Hermia + Juliet: Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay.
Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai-lay!
(As the instrumental plays, you see all three sat in an open circle on chairs.)
Kate: Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby.
Back to the years of loo-li lai-lay...
And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow.
Bless you with love for the road that you go...
All three: Loo-Li lai-lay...
Kate: May you sail far to the far fields of fortune.
With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet...
And may you need never to banish misfortune.
May you find kindness in all that you meet...
(Stands up.)
Kate: May there always be angels to watch over you.
To guide you each step of the way...
To guard you and keep you safe from all harm.
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay...
(Juliet spins around as she plays the violin in her red satin dress while Kate and Hermia watch approvingly.)
Kate: May you bring love and may you bring happiness.
Be loved in return to the end of your days...
Now fall off to sleep, I'm not meaning to keep you.
I'll just sit for a while and sing loo-li, lai-lay...
(Holds her hands out to the audience.)
Kate: May there always be angels to watch over you.
To guide you each step of the way...
To guard you and keep you safe from all harm.
Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay... Loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay...
(She starts to gently walk away and the other two follow her.)
Hermia + Juliet: Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li, lai-lay.
Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai-lay.
Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai-lay.
Loo-li, loo-li, loo-li lai-lay.
Loo-li, lai-lay...
(The lights fade out and the audience cheers their approval.)
"Hello! I'm Anne!" The light comes up on Anne, who is stood on centre-stage. "That song was 'Sleepsong' by Secret Garden, sung by Kate, Hermia and Juliet."
The girls peekout from behind the curtain and wave at the audience and judges, who all laugh.
"Isn't it a beautiful lullaby? I sing it to my own son when I'm trying to get him to sleep."
A picture of Neddie appears on the projector and the audience cooes and awes in delight.
"I know! He's so adorable! Anyway, we take you back to 1973, when Genesis released their famous album, 'Selling England by the Pound'. In this song, the drummer at the time, Phil Collins, sang for the second time on main vocals, the first being in 1971 on the album 'Nursery Cryme'. Here's 'More Fool Me'!"
(The audience claps as the lights fade out once again.)
(The light dies down, only to reamerge on four lone figures on the stage; George is stood at the front, microphone in front of him, while Slim is sat beside him, holding an acoustic guitar in his hands while sat on a wooden stool. Edmund is sat behind George to his right, while Richard is to his left.)
(Play the song 'More Fool Me' by Genesis here.)
(Slim gently begins to play while George - in a very good British accent- begins to sing.)
George: Oooh, oh. La, la, la, laah, la, la, laah, laah...
George: Here am I...
Who while away the mornings, since you've gone.
Too long have I lay alone.
Not knowing which way to turn.
E,G+R: And there you are...
Quite sure that you were right.
Knowing full well.
That I'd be the first one to go down...
And you'd be the one who was laughing.
George + Slim: Except when things weren't going your way!
All: And then the lady would say that she's had enough...
Wandering around on her own.
George: The day you left...
Well, I think you knew you'd not be back.
Well, at least it would seem that way.
George + Slim: Because you never said goodbye...
George: When it comes 'round to you and me.
I'm sure it will work out alright...
George: And you'd be the one who was laughing.
George + Slim: And giving me something I don't need!
All: And you know, I'd always hold you and keep you warm...
Oh, more fool me.
George: Oh, but when it comes around to you and me...
E,S+R: Aaahh...
George: I ask myself, do I really believe in your love?
Yes, I'm sure it will work out alright...
(The light dies down and the audience claps enthusiastically.)
(The lights shine on Thor as he walks onto the stage. Loki is sat by himself, cross-legged, centre-stage.)
(Play the song 'Right Here' by Ashes Remain here.)
Thor: I can see every tear you've cried.
like an ocean in your eyes.
All the pain and the scars have left you cold...
I can see all the fears you face through a storm that never goes away.
Don't believe all the lies that you've been told.
(He helps his brother up onto his feet and stares into his eyes.)
Thor: I'll be right here now!
To hold you when the sky falls down.
I will always...
be the One who took your place!
When the rain falls!
I won't let go.
I'll be right here...
(Loki pulls away and stands to the other end of the stage, his back to his brother as he stares out across the audience. Thor reaches out to him, as if to touch his hand.)
Thor: I will show you the way back home...
Never leave you all alone.
I will stay until the morning comes...
(Reaches out and takes a hold of his brother's hand.)
Thor: I'll show you how to live again...
and heal the brokenness within.
Let me love you when you come undone...
(Loki turns his head to look at him.)
Thor: I'll be right here now!
To hold you when the sky falls down.
I will always
be the One who took your place!
When the rain falls!
I won't let go.
I'll be right here...
(Pulls his brother into a hug.)
Thor: When daybreak seems so far away: reach for my hand!
(He tightens his grip on Loki's hand.)
Thor: When hope and peace begin to fray; still I will stand!
(Loki looks up at him.)
Thor: I'll be right here now!
To hold you when the sky falls down.
I will always
be the One who took your place!
When the rain falls!
I won't let go.
I'll be right here...
When the rain falls I won't let go!
I'll be right here...
(The light fades as the brothers walk off together.)
The lights come back on in the entire hall and people start to move out of their seats. The tannoy blared to life "Ladies and gentlemen, we will be taking a 15 minute break and then the French students will perform their 10 songs before the English students take their last five songs before another break and after that comes their encore."
Shattered, the Gang took their leave to their dressing rooms for a well deserved break.