Dec 04 2008
Observing Plays
Opening Scene – On a train going to audition for Britain’s Got Talent. The present.
Opening scene sound of trains, talking, noises and lights to reflect the movement of a train.
As the scene begins
There is a voice over announcing the trains soon arrival in London.
When the lights come up there is a motionless tableaux of the family sitting together on the train. Mel is admiring her nails that she has just painted, Tom is holding a picnic basket looking inside the picnic basket he has a look of shock and horror on his face, Anthony is fast asleep with his mouth open snoring loudly. Elaine is doing knitting. The tableaux used for the opening of the first scene demonstrates the families relationship together and the fact that everyone is on their own journey. There is an underlying subtext throughout the play that each member of the family is on their own journey. The train at the beginning of the scene portrays the start of the families day out, but at a deeper level it is the families journey together.
(Tom puts his hand in the picnic box and pulls out Elaine’s false teeth)
Tom. Yuck you left them in the picnic box.
Elaine. I wondered where they’d gone.
Mel. Mum give dad a push he’s giving me a headache. My head’s killing has anyone got some Aspirin Tom?
Tom. Sorry, I’m out of Aspirin. Maybe we can get some when we get off this train.
Nicky enters wearing a waitress outfit. She is bringing a trolley of drinks through.
Nicky. Morning Sir, would you like any drinks?
Tom. I’ll have a vodka and a packet of salt and vinegar crisps
Nicky passes a bag with the refreshments in it.
Mel. I feel really queasy.
Tom. It’ll be your travel sickness, dear. Didn’t you bring your travel sickness pills?
Mel. No I forgot.
Elaine. I have some soluble ones, but you’ll need some water.
Mel. Tom give us some of your vodka.
(Tom reluctantly passes Mel his vodka who puts two tablets in it and proceeds to drink the lot)
Mel. Ah, that’s better.
Tom. I can’t believe you just did that. That’s so unfair.
Mel. I’ll get you another when we get off this train.
Tom. Does anyone want a sandwich?
Mel. I’m not eating any of them sandwiches now mum’s teeth have been in them, that’s gross. I hope you cleaned them before you left them in there they looked like they had last night’s curry on them.
Elaine. Just you wait till you get older. It’s been fifteen years since I got my false teeth and they’ve never failed me. Not once. Not like your father.
Tom. You’re not saying you like wearing false teeth are you?
Elaine. I do. They make me look younger. You don’t think I always looked like this do you? Every day is full of memories. Why? I dunno. I always dreamed of being more than just Mel’s mum. I dreamed of singing on the stage, that’s what I was born to do. Singing is full of the past it takes away my boredom. It’s my first love and the only reason I’m coming here today is that I want to see you and Mel making a go of something I never got the chance to do. I often look in the mirror and remember what I used to look like. There was a time where I had to fight off all the men. I was beautiful and when I sung I lit up the room.
Nicky. Do you remember when we met? I walked into the bar where you were singing and said, “Do you fancy a drink? I’m sorry It’s not much of a chat up line, but I tend not to chat up girls”. I used to be the silent admirer, never one to chat girls up, but when I met your mother I couldn’t help, but chat her up. I walked into that bar and she was like a star twinkling in the night. She stood out from the crowd. “Just a glass of water” she said to me.
Mel. (Stands up and does a twirl) Does my bum look big in this?
Elaine turns her attention to Mel’s mini skirt.
Elaine. We never wore them in my day. Wouldn’t have been seen out of the house in them.
Nicky. More’s the pity.
Tom. Why don’t you wear something else till this afternoon?
Mel. Don’t you like it?
Tom. I don’t mind, but it’s a bit chilly this morning.
Mel. I just want to look my best.
Pause.
Elaine. There’s a spot o’ porridge on it. I’m sure of it.
Voice Over. London Euston Next stop all passengers depart from the train. This Train terminates at London Euston.
Light’s fade then come back up to show a decrepit building with Mel, Tom, Elaine and Nicky looking towards the building.
Mel: Is this it? I thought you said that Simon Cowell would be here.
Tom: It must be the credit crunch. They can’t afford The Hilton.
Nicky: How else would you explain the fact that Pierce Morgan is one of the judges?
Tom: Hmmm you’ve got a point. (Thinks for a second.) Pierce Morgan, hey? Amazing! This could be fun!
Mel: This could be embarrassing, you mean. I’m not too sure that this is a good idea. What if my mates see?
Tom: It’s easy You can’t go wrong-footed. (Goes over to Mel to demonstrate the moves) Start on the right… and it’s step, step, ball-change, step! Got it?
Mel: Sorry. (Does a few practice moves, copying Tom.)
Tom: (To Mel) Let’s try it from the top again.
Mel: Sure thing. (Counts and claps in time to the beat of the song) Five— , six— , five, six, seven, eight.
Track of ‘Locomotion’ starts to play.
Mel: (Singing and dancing) Everybody’s doin’ a brand new dance now.
Elaine and Nicky: (Singing and dancing) Come on baby, do the locomotion.
Mel: (Singing and dancing) I know you’re gonna like it if you give it a chance now.
Tom: (Singing and dancing) Come on baby, do the locomotion.
Mel. No, no, no I can’t do this. I’m gonna be sick.
Tom. What the hell’s wrong with you? You’ve been acting weird all day.
Tom. You said that you weren’t going to back down. That you really wanted to do this.
Mel. Yeah, sure, that’s what I said. But that was last week.
Tom. All right, I’m sorry I mentioned it. Go back to your old life and don’t bother about me.
Mel. Fine by me.
Tom. Fine?
(Silence, Nicky and Elaine sit down on a couch together. Elaine finishes her sphagetti getting it all over her face. Nicky clears her throat. Tom stands there in silence looking at Mel with an angry look on his face)
Tom. Why didn’t you say something about this last week. Why now? Why when we have only 10 minutes before we have to be on that stage? Do you realize how late it is?
Mel. I’m sorry.
Tom. Sorry, is that all you have to say?
Mel. Oh Tom, look you deserve better than this.
Tom. You’re too right I bloody do.
Mel. But, wait. There’s something I haven’t told you. I don’t know how to get your attention once you’re playing on the Play Station. You never seem to have time for me anymore. There was a time when you’d just hold me and tell me that you loved me. But, now you just seem to shout at me either that or ignore me.
Tom. This is going to come out wrong, I know its going to. But, you’re the one that’s so busy.
Mel. But, wait just a minute before you go off on one again. Are you ready for the next step? I mean are you serious about spending a future with me or would you rather spend time in your own little world just playing your own little games.
Tom. O.K, O.K I hear you, but I don’t understand what you’re saying.
Mel. I’m pregnant.
(Mel runs off)
Nicky. What are we waiting for?
Elaine. Never mind, dear. Turn your hearing aid up.
Nicky. Oh, sorry.
(Tom walks off after Mel)
Voice over: Would Two Timer’s please come to the audition room. The judges are ready for you.
Elaine gives Nicky a push. Do you think we should audition instead?
Nicky. Yeah, let’s.
This is how my script is progressing. We watched a production tonight of the second year Btec National Diploma of Performing Arts. It was very good and I enjoyed watching it. The singing was very good considering it was all live. I think some of the actor’s tended to stand out more than others. However everyone did well and although some of the singers didn’t sing loud enough I enjoyed it. Students performed hits from all different musicals. I particularly like the songs from Hairspray and Wicked. During the show the students thought of their body language and used the space well on the stage. They all seemed to be in character which made up for any short comings in their vocal techniques.
