"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
1.
CHARACTERS
1. Miss ALICIA LUKER -HEADMISTRESS/ AHAB.
2. NEW GIRL plays ISHMAEL.
3. HEAD GIRL plays STARBUCK.
4. SPORT CHAMPION plays QUEEQUEG.
5. FRED plays ELIJAH & CAPTAIN GARDINER.
6. SHIRLEY HOLMES plays a French Creole, FLASK.
7. WILD SCOTTISH GIRL plays STUBB.
8. POGO WATSON plays a Nubian chieftain, DAGOO.
9. BOYFRIEND plays PIP.
10. LOLITA plays ESTA , Ahab's wife.
11. SNOBBY GIRL plays TASHTEGO, a Navaho Indian.
12. HEAD OF SCIENCE DEPARTMENT plays MARY & PLACARD GIRL.
LOWER FOURTH
JUNIORS
PREFECTS
BOYFRIENDS
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
2.
ACT ONE- MOBY DICK. 2008
SCENE 1-SCRIM
SCRIM depicts a mountain side
Chalet English finishing School in
Europe, overlooking a beautiful
alpine lake. The great stone gate,
describes as; "St. Godley's
Academy for Girls," and barbed
wire bordered, hand made signs
read; "DANGER! KEEP OUT!" NO
CALLERS-EXCEPT THE OTHERS!"
"PARENTS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY."
LIGHTS down, bleed through scrim
to;
SCENE 2- SCHOOL STUDY.
The boater wearing, cigar smoking
, gin swigging dissolute savages
of the LOWER FOURTH (usually 14
yrs,) occupy themselves, in
different cliques, alongside the
ridiculously sexy, thigh showing
PREFECTS. The HEAD GIRL, a real
fizzer and champion swimmer,
enters through French windows
still dripping, followed by
JUNIORS (15 yrs,) SWIM CLASS (in
goggles, flippers and outsized gym
knickers,) while her heart
stirring SPORTS CHAMPION
colleague, teaches Health and
Beauty exercises, (with hoops,
medicines balls and stick
ribbons,) filmed by a WILD
SCOTTISH GIRL and equally hairy
members of the FILM CLUB. The
SCIENCE DEPT. nurture a gin
distillery in the great fireplace,
as SPIVVY FRED (a former boot boy)
labels the bottles beneath a
makeshift sun tanning machine,
surrounded by a long row of dirty
boots to be polished. Above him, a
crude sign declares" SCHOOL CRÈCHETHIS WAY!" pinned to a bookshelf.
In the bay window ,a dare devil,
tom boy NEW GIRL lies on the floor
with a paper knife in her heart
while the DRAMA CLUB ("Shirley
Holmes and "Pogo" Watson",)
examine her.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
3.
The drama is played out before a
cobwebbed blackboard with the
repeated lines;" I MUST DO
GOODER," chalked over it. An
objectionable GIRL "snogs" another
girl,(who is actually one of
several androgynous looking
"boyfriends" disguised as a
shapeless LOWER FOURTH,) while
members of the MUSIC CLUB ,toe
tap, to a spirited rendition of
the finale of the NEW GIRL'S new
musical, played on a bouncing
upright, whose final chords are
greeted with a smattering of
applause while the curious MUSIC
CLUB MEMBERS analyze the piano
score and "brown paper covered"
librettos with interest. At this
point, an eccentric Headmistress,
MISS LUKER, slips into the room,
via a secret panel in the oak
wall, with a sign reading "DO NOT
DISTURB," (plus graffiti; "already
disturbed,") added. She samples
the gin.
HEADMISTRESS
Not too much water, girls, and please
be careful with the nitroglycerine,
won't you? There's nothing gives a
girl more aplomb and savoir-faire than
when she's eager to show her
pulchritude! Fred, we need to call a
crisis meeting!
FRED stands to reveal "I AM
SPARTACUS" across the front of his
shorts.
FRED
Do you mean to tell me you've gambled away the
school fees again?
HEADMISTRESS
Well, I didn't mean to, Fred, oh, if only I had
the courage to surrender myself to the
authorities.
FRED
But how are we going to beat our creditors
economically?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
4.
HEADMISTRESS
Well, as economically as we can, considering
the cost of living.
FRED
You do realize how calamitous this really is?
She corrects his grammar.
HEADMISTRESS
How calamitous these really are!
HEAD GIRL
But how shall we all survive?
HEADMISTRESS
By fishing, foraging and most importantly,
filling up on vast amounts of fresh air.
HEAD GIRL
But freezing and starving us to death won't
impress the Ministry of Education, Miss
Luker. The staff has resigned and they're
threatening to shut us down.
HEADMISTRESS
Well, now you've got me into one of my moods,
and its too late to place a bet with Tina.
Ladies, take your feet off the radiators and
stop what you are doing instantly.
The SCHOOL gather before their
HEADMISTRESS.
HEADMISTRESS (cont’d)
It is my melancholy task to announce the
closure of this famous, nay, unorthodox
school. Through circumstances which got out of
control, it is no more! However, when I turn
the lights out, if whosoever stole our
championship trophy returns it, then we might
be able to affect a reprieve!
HEADMISTRESS switches the lights
off. Blackout. Pause. Turns them
on again to reveal ALL the
trophies missing!
HEADMISTRESS (cont’d)
Well, in that case, Ladies, courtesy forbids me
to tell you where you can all go, but I suspect
it will involve a merciless world and home!
Boos.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
5.
BOYFRIEND
But I thought this was home!?
Hand flies up.
HEAD GIRL
Quiet, dummies! Have you anything to suggest?
A hand shoots up.
LOLITA
Why don't we lower our standards?
HEADMISTRESS
Why don't you remove the farmyard from your
mind?
The DISTILLERS step forward.
HEAD GIRL
Science department?
HEAD OF SCIENCE DEPT.
Well, Miss, we've developed a contraceptive
toothpaste?
HEADMISTRESS
Well, that's frightfully advanced of you,
girls, but on this occasion, I must brush it
aside.
FILM CLUB surrounds HEAD GIRL.
HEAD GIRL
Film club?
FILM CLUB
We could premiere our new TV series.
HEADMISTRESS
Entitled?
FILM CLUB
"The little mosque on the Prairie!"
HEADMISTRESS
Well, I don't know anything about that!
HEAD GIRL selects raised hand of
the NEW (pregnant,)GIRL.
HEAD GIRL
The scholarship girl, Headmistress?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
6.
NEW GIRL
The music department would like to suggest a
benefit?
HEADMISTRESS
Oh, well if you're keen. You've already made an
exhibition of yourself. A benefit sounds very
much on the spot? We are always very pleased to
welcome all our newcomers from the mist- I
mean, in our midst
SNOBBY GIRL
This girl is a real addition to our number,
Headmistress; in fact, she's just completed a
brand new musical!
HEADMISTRESS
Has she, well, we pride ourselves on offering
our girls the advantages of a modern education.
What is your chosen topic?
NEW GIRL
"Moby Dick."
Consternation all round.
SHIRLEY HOLMES
What a ghastly idea, Miss!
HEADMISTRESS
Please don't elevate your nose at me! If I want
your opinion I'll tell you what it is.
SPORTS CHAMPION
Sounds more like a sports injury!
HEADMISTRESS
Well, you're wrong, smart Alice. It's the name
of a famous nautical saga by the American
author Herman Melville, which, unhelpfully, is
all about men, am I right?
NEW GIRL
Actually, "Dick", Head, is about the whale's
revenge on men!
Wild cheers.
HEADMISTRESS
Well, that does touch some chord in my memory,
but isn't it indescribably long?
NEW GIRL
Yes, so I took the liberty to cut it!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
7.
POGO WATSON
What a nerve!
HEADMISTRESS
Well, is there, I mean are there any role for
Miss Luker?
SNOBBY GIRL
Yes, filthy, you can play the ham roll.
FRED
Yes and its now chopped ham!
HEADMISTRESS
Because before I did time- I mean, joined the
board of education- I used to be on the stage
as a quick change artiste.
HEAD OF SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Why?
HEADMISTRESS
Why, to make some quick change, of course, you
silly girl.
SNOBBY GIRL
Miss, weren't you ever tempted to take it up?
HEADMISTRESS
What, acting, and give up three meals a day?
No, no.
The theatrical NEW GIRL grabs the
HEADMISTRESSES wrist in a warning
grasp.
NEW GIRL
But you won't be stumped if you portray the
mad, bad, Captain Ahab who loses his right limb
to a rogue white whale just as his crew mutiny?
It would be you against us?
HEADMISTRESS
Well, I wouldn't have a leg to stand on. But, I
don't mind if you don't!
FRED
Hang on, how are we going to depict a whale?
HEADMISTRESS
Well, you're the caretaker, Fred, take care of
it! For a start you can reopen the pool. In the
meantime, seniors, I advise you to make the
smaller people move about a
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
8.
Lot, copy theHEADMISTRESS(cont'd)
script and let's get this
"Dick down as fast as we can!
PREFECTS walk round in two's,
hands held behind their backs.
HEADMISTRESS (cont’d)
Prefects; telephone your parents, telegram your
sugar daddies, tip off the pepperoni and
announce to the entire world that it is
cordially invited to a "benefit of Dick!"
GIN DISTILLERY blows up! TIME
passes. An artistic LITTLE GIRL
,who is rarely more than half
awake to all that goes on about
her, crosses the stage with a
placard announcing ,( in that old
fashioned phrase for
rehearsals,)"GETTING IT DOWN."
1. Moby Dick
ALL
MOBY DICK THE MUSICAL
NEW GIRL
MOBY DICK
ALL
A WHALE OF A TALE!
MOBY DICK!
NEW GIRL
EVERYTHING THAT'S NAUTICAL
ALL
MOBY DICK!- SO WHEN DO WE SAIL?
HEAD GIRL holds out antique DIVERS
HELMET.
HEAD GIRL
DIVE IN AND SEE WHO YOU SURFACE AS.
NEW GIRL
I PLAY THE PALE ISHMAELOUR CLASSIC TALE'S NARRATOR
SPORTS GIRL
I'M QUEEQUEG, TATTOOED MALE A SOUTH SEA PEOPLE EATER.
WILD SCOTTISH GIRL
I'M STUBB WHO RUNS THE SHIP
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
9.
BOYFRIEND
A CABIN BOY CALLED 'PIP!'
HEAD GIRL
I PLAY A QUAKER TRUE
LOLITA
THE BEAUTIFUL 'ESTA'
Rest gather round the helmet
picking many and varied roles.
ALL
AND WE ARE THE REST-A--THE CREW!
(THANK YOU HERMAN MELVILLE)
ALL (cont’d)
MOBY DICK! MOBY DICK THE MUSICAL
MOBY DICK! A TALE OF A WHALE!
WHALE OF A TALE!
MOBY DICK! EVERYTHING THAT'S NAUTICAL.
MOBY DICK, WE'RE HAVING A WHALE
A WHALE OF A TALE,
WHALE OF A TALE
TALE OF A WHALE!
THE PLAN IS CRYSTAL CLEAR
Mime "money."
ALL (cont’d)
WE'RE AFTER ALL YOUR MULLAH!
WE'LL DO THE SHOW RIGHT HERE;
AND SCOTCH THAT CLOSURE RUMOUR.
SCIENCE DEPT. take publicity shots
of HEAD GIRL in Esther Williams
LIFE magazine poses. Different
departments criss cross with
COMPLETED SET, stolen nautical
ANTIQUES (with price label still
on,) a lethal punch is made called
"dry dock", the GIRLFRIEND
rehearse "selling kisses" as the
BOYFRIEND loads a big flash
camera, as the LOWER FOURTH parade
cakes, jams, ices, and a work in
progress COSTUME RACK.
ALL (CONT'D) (cont’d)
WE'LL SELL OUR CAKES AND JAMS
(KISSES IN OUR FISH NETS)
MIX WELL OUR FRUIT AND DRAMS
(LOOK UP MASSACHUSETTS)
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
10.
THE ODDS ARE REALLY STACKED
BUT WE HAVE A STRONG WILL RELAX MISTER MELVILLE
IT’LL BE PACKED
WITH REAL CLASS ACT!
PREFECTS search for the novel.
PREFECTS
DON'T KNOW A LICK
BOUT MOBY DICK
LOWER FOURTH/JUNIORS
NO MORE OF CHEMISTRY OR CALCULUS TO BORE US
THEY SPEED READ IT.
PREFECTS
LET'S TAKE A LOOK
INTO THE BOOK
LOWER FOURTH AND JUNIORS
NO MORE ZOOLOGY- WE HAVE A TEST BEFORE US.
ALL
WE'LL SOON PARADE
OUR AQUACADE
IT'S COOL AROUND THE POOL WHICH ECHOES EVERY CHORUS;
MOBY DICK.
ALL HANDS ON DICK!
HERMAN- RAISE THE CURTAIN!
The musical begins, played with
great passion and sincerity,
amusing only in its attention to
detail, and the incongruity of the
cast playing a roll call of well
observed, weird and wonderful male
characters. NO send up, no amateur
dramatics, these are anarchic, not
inept girls. Their comic invention
matches the score which should
always be played slower than you
think to hear the words. If it
gets into runaway train mode you
are getting it all wrong. The NEW
GIRL plays ISHMAEL; a young,
bespectacled, teacher bored of
city life.
ISHMAEL
Call me Fishmeal!
Correction comes in chorus from
back stage and Prompt.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
11.
PROMPT AND CO
Psss...Ishmael!
Underscore - I Live And Breathe.
ISHMAEL -wide eyed.
2. I Live and Breathe
ISHMAEL (CONT’D)
I mean Ishmael.
WHEN I PUT THE STUD IN STUDY SWELTERING IN A GRIZZLY CITY
I CAN DAY DREAM INTO MEMORY OF MY BEST DAYS AT SEA.
ISHMAEL opens the bay window
overlooking a grand lake, and
sings romantically.
ISHMAEL (cont’d)
I RECALL THE SIGNS AND WONDERS
OF THE SEA CHARTS WET AND PALE
AND THE GHOSTLY MISTS OF MORNING
FROM PERCHES TOUCHING SAIL
ISHMAEL
I REMEMBER FEELING HAPPY
IN THE GREAT DOWNPOUR OF RAIN
AND I WANT MY FEET TO WRINKLE
LIKE A RAISIN ONCE AGAIN
I LIVE AND BREATH FORBIDDEN SEAS
WHERE THE FLOODGATES OF A WONDER WORLD
SWING OPEN WIDE
AND A THOUSAND NEWBORN FEELINGS
ROLL UP WITH THE TIDE
OH, THERE'S MAGIC IN THE WATERS
AND THE MAGIC DRAWS US ALL
FROM THE LAND, DOWN STREAM AND RIVER
TO THE NEAREST
ALL
HARBOUR WALL
ISHMAEL
I REMEMBER CUDDLING PYGMIES
AND THE LEAPS FROM SPAR TO SPAR
AND THE PITCH-LIKE LIQUOR POTIONS
WE DRANK WHEN UNDER PAR
I REMEMBER MAKING BLOOD PACTS
WITH THE HEATHENS FROM AFAR
WITH THE DEVIL EVER GRINNING
HOLDING EVERY DOOR AJAR!
I LIVE AND BREATHE FORBIDDEN SEAS
WHERE THE FLOODGATES OF A WONDER WORLD
SWING OPEN WIDE
AND A THOUSAND NEWBORN FEELINGS
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
12.
ROLL UP WITH THE TIDE
OH, THERE'S MAGIC IN THE WATERS
AND THE MAGIC DRAWS US ALL
FROM THE LAND, DOWN STREAM AND RIVER TO THE NEAREST
ALL
HARBOUR WALL
ISHMAEL
WITH A BAG CUT OUT OF CARPET
AND A SPRING INSIDE MY FATE
I JOURNEY LIKE A POET
ALL
IN AND OUT OF HEAVEN'S GATE!
WE LIVE AND BREATHE
FOR FORBIDDEN SEAS
OH THERE'S MAGIC IN THE WATER
AND THE MAGIC DRAWS US DOWN
FROM THE LAND UPSTREAM AND RIVER
MY DREAM CAN WELL DELIVER
DOWN TO NANTUCKET, NANTUCKET TOWN,
NANTUCKET TOWN!
ISHMAEL spins the large atlas.
SCENE 3 - NANTUCKET
LITTLE GIRLS turn a wind machine;
shake a thunder sheet, cross with
a smoke gun.
3. In Old Nantucket
ISHMAEL
THOUGH FATE IS BLIND IT HAD A MIND
TO FIND A FISHING MARKET
AND, COLD AND WET, MY EYES WOULD SET
ON CHALLENGES NOT MET YET.
Lights up on Nantucket harbour
quay, dressed with lobster pots,
where some members of an
industrious LOWER FOURTH knit
tennis court netting- in a fishing
village setting redolent of
Cornwall and laced in sea mist.
For AHAB's arrival, look at the
old G and S's Act One set of
"Gondoliers". The SPORTS CHAMPION
plays QUEEQUEG, (think Pink or
young a K.D.Lang,) an exotic,
tattooed, Polynesian cannibal who
hawks shrunken heads. Once moredon't rush!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
13.
QUEEQUEG
WANDERING 'ROUND NANTUCKET TOWN
TRYING HARD TO SELL MY SHRUNKEN HEAD: IT'S DEAD!
THE BIG ISSUE IS THE RENT IS DUE
AND IT'S TIME FOR MY BED!
The HEAD GIRL plays STARBUCK, an
honest, God fearing Quaker.
STARBUCK
WAITING FOR OUR BOYS TO SAIL IN
THE QUAKER OWNERS OF THE WHALING FLEET, ALL MEET
TO BLESS THE VESSELS AND INSPECT THEIR CARGO TREAT
The WILD SCOTTISH GIRL plays the
bearded, pipe smoking,
unsuspecting sea dog, STUBB.
ALL
HARBOUR ADVENTURE
BRINGING MEN TOGETHER
QUAKERS FREE FROM SIN
WHALING FOR THE NATION.
STUBB
IN OLD NANTUCKET, NANTUCKET TOWN
TENSION MOUNTS AS NEWS FLIES ROUND
A DISTANT SAIL HAS BEEN SIGHTED ON
FAR HORIZON HOMEWARD BOUND!
STARBUCK;
BOLD AND CLEAR
STUBB;
ALMOST HERE
ALL;
--SONS AND LOVERS FOUND!
KEEP FAITH, DON'T SIN
AND YOUR SHIP WILL COME IN.
A MODEL WHALING SHIP ARRIVES OUT IN THE UPSTAGE "BAY" ON THE
BACK CLOTH.
ALL
SAIL HO! THROUGH SNOW
THAR SHE BLOW
WHISPERED IN AWE; (PRONOUNCED "PEEK WOW").
ALL
"THE PEQUOD"!
THE COMPANY FREEZE. AHAB HAS LEFT THE PEQUOD IN THE BAY AND
HAS BEEN ROWED BY A SEPARATE ROW BOAT TO THE QUAY. WE EDIT
THE REALITY, OF COURSE, BUT, INSTEAD SUGGEST IT AS NOW RAISED
BOAT OARS ARE ROLLED ON, HIDDEN BY THE RAISED (AND HIDDEN
STEPPED,) QUAY. A UNIFORMED OARS MAN ASCENDS STEPS ONTO THE
QUAY AND STANDS GUARDSMAN TO AHAB'S ARRIVAL.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
14.
A GONG SIGNALS THE APPEARANCE OF DASHING CAPTAIN AHAB WHO
BOILS UP BEHIND HIM WRAPPED IN AN ALL ENVELOPING AND DRAMATIC
BOAT CLOAK, UNSUCCESSFULLY BATTERED BY A WIND MACHINE
OPERATED BY LAB COAT SCIENCE DEPT. WHO WILL DEAL WITH ALL
EFFECTS. AHAB ACKNOWLEDGES APPLAUSE. THE IVORY 'PEG LEG'(A
SPORTS LEG PAD,) IS, (FOR NOW,) HIDDEN BENEATH THE CLOAK TILL
THE REVEAL HAPPENS BEFORE ESTA.
ALL (CONT'D)
AHAB!
THE CROWD CHEERS AND WAVE LITTLE BLACK WHALE SHAPED FLAGS, AS
THE HEADMISTRESS PORTRAYS AHAB (A SEA CAPTAIN DESCENDED FROM
AN AMERICAN INDIAN,) WITH DASHING SWAGGER. MEANWHILE, AS THE
TOWNSFOLK SURROUND AHAB, BOOT BOY FRED ARRIVES TO PORTRAY A
DEMENTED, ONE ARMED, WHITE HAIRED, PESSIMIST, ELIJAH, (THINK
BEN GUNN,) WHO STANDS TO ONE SIDE, SCOWLING, SCARED BY THEIR
VOYAGE.
AHAB
MY HEART IS BURSTING WITH PLEASANTRIES
ANXIOUS FOR A NORMAL LIFE
AWAY FROM SHIPPING INSANITIES
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MY WIFE.
KNIGHTS AND SQUIRES
AHAB POINTS WITH DERISION AT CRAZY ELIJAH
AHAB (CONT'D)
DRUNKS AND LIARS!
ELIJAH HALF THREATENS TO RAISE HIS KNIFE AT AHAB.
ELIJAH
I COULD SINK THIS KNIFE!
BUT ELIJAH SKITTERS OFF TO HIDE, AS OTHER, MORE STABLE SEMEN,
(CARRYING KIT BAGS,) ARRIVE TO HUG WIVES. AMONG THEM, THE
SNOBBY GIRL PLAYS TASHTEGO, A SPECTACULAR LOOKING NAVAHO
INDIAN.
STUBB, STARBUCK, TASHTEGO
AHAB;
SHIPPING OAK.
REFERRING TO FLEEING ELIJAH.
STUBB, STARBUCK, TASHTEGO
THAT OLD CRAB'S;
THE TOWN JOKE.
BOYFRIEND enters playing PIP, a
highly nervous, vulnerable,
charmingly jittery, cabin boy,
(black, in the original,) whose
fundamental "jumpiness" takes him
into a nervous breakdown.
PIP
I'M PIP, THE LUCKIEST CABIN BOY
EVER SAILED THE SEVENTH SEA
MY CAPTAIN'S PRIDE AND JOY, I'M HIS BOY
LIKE A SON TO HIM I'LL BE
FAITHFUL, FAST, TO THE LAST
FATHER FIGURE, HE
NO MORE TO ROAM, WE'RE GOING HOME!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
15.
The LOWER FOURTH create AHAB'S
pony and trap with great
ingenuity, using all manner of
invention, after raiding the
school stables.
ALL
IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE
CAPTAIN AHAB'S SAFE RETURN
HIS CARGO TOOK THE BAIT, TOOK THE BAIT
BRINGING PROFIT TO THE TOWN
SHIRLEY HOLMES plays an
untrustworthy French Creole and
trouble maker, FLASK.
FLASK
AND IT FEEDS
ALL
IT'S ONLY RIGHT
POGO WATSON, a dark beauty
herself, plays a Nubian chieftain,
DAGOO.
DAGOO
ALL OUR NEEDS
ALL
ITS PARTY NIGHT
PIP
TIME TO TAKE HIM HOME
AHAB & ALL
HOME SWEET HOME
PIP
WE'RE GOING HOME!
AHAB
Giddy-up there! Home!
Home!
AHAB and PIP ride home, as the
Pony-Show-rosette-wearing SCIENCE
DEPT. jangle chains, clop tea
mugs, and crack whip. LIGHTS FADE
OUT. A squat, but vocally talented
LITTLE GIRL, imitates a dog
barking far off, as, with ski
gloves on, she turns a SPOT UP
onto ISHMAEL reading a map.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
16.
ISHMAEL
WITHIN THESE BLIND ALLEYS
WHERE ECHOES MOCK US
STRANGERS DIRECTING STRANGERS
ALONG BLOCKS OF BLACKNESS.
IN SEARCH OF BOARD AND LODGING
WITH EPIC LACK OF CROWN
WHERE ARE THE GREEN FIELDS GONE NOWIN THIS PART OF DOWN TOWN?
A sign descends which announces;
'Spouter Inn.' ISHMAEL bags the
map, blows his fingers and bats
himself to keep warm. The HEAD
GIRL of the SCIENCE DEPT. (who has
a facility to eat pears through a
tennis racket,) plays landlord
COFFIN, a friendly old coot, who
meets ISHMAEL while replacing a
barrel. This is a slow cakewalk
not a fast rag.
ISHMAEL (cont’d)
Oh, excuse me butDO YOU HAVE A ROOM?
COFFIN
No.
SORRY HARPOONER
HAD YOU COME SOONER?
HOUSE FULL-BEDS GONE
Has idea.
COFFIN (cont’d)
'LESS YOU SHARE ONE?
ISHMAEL
LESS I SHARE ONE?
COFFIN
SURE COLD AS ICELAND
TAKE MY ADVICE AND
STOP AND DROP ANCHOR HERE
ISHMAEL
I DON'T THINK SO,
BUT THEN ON QUICK REFLECTION
I'VE NO OBJECTION.
POOR YOUNG SAILORS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS
ISHMAEL follows COFFIN into the
inn, eventually disappearing from
view.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
17.
ISHMAEL (cont’d)
THANK YOU I'M GRATEFUL
THOUGH TWO'S A BED FULL
AT LEAST IT'S AFFORDABLE!
LIGHTS UP on a SHADOW CURTAIN,
with the top half evoking a
winding road to a mansion on a
hill. The bottom half is blacked
out and is schoolgirl high to
allow for puppeteers. A cardboard
cut-out pony and trap gallops
along the road, towards AHAB'S
grand mansion. A flock of geese
traveling in the opposite way,
slowing up progress as they
eventually pass. The Mansion is
animated with cut-out figures,
waltzing. Not an opportunity to be
deliberately amateur. The ART
DEPARTMENT will shine here. See
D.V.D. "Enfant Du Paradis" for
inspiration.)
ALL
BEYOND NANTUCKET, NANTUCKET TOWN
AHAB RACES TO HIS HOUSE
HIS HORSE AND PONY TRAP THUNDERCLAP;
UPTOWN TO HIS LOVING SPOUSE.
ONE MILE MORE, TO HIS DOOR;
CAESAR ENTERS ROME!
AHAB'S GOING HOME!
HE'S GOING HOME!
SCENE 4 - AHAB'S HOME
The shadow curtain is removed and
that same vocally talented LITTLE
GIRL creates sound of cicadas,
(not vocally,) but with a nail and
comb. LIGHTS UP on LOLITA who
plays AHAB'S pretty, but highly
strung, "Gone with the wind-like,
wife, ESTA. She stands in a
plantation mansion, (dripping with
Spanish moss,) admiring a giant
Gainsboroughesque portrait of AHAB
(with both legs!) then opens a
mini, designer, telescope to look
beyond the audience.
4. A Man Happens
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
18.
ESTA
BEYOND THE STARLIGHT, MY MAN'S COMING HOME
TO HIS LITTLE HONEYCOMB
AND MY TENDER TOUCH
Puts telescope down on antique
table, picks up dainty fan to cool
her.
ESTA (CONT'D) (cont’d)
I WANT IT SO RIGHT, THE PERFECT WELCOME HOME
THREE YEARS OF KEEPING CALM…
I LOVE HIM SO MUCH
LITTLE GIRL shakes thunder sheet
to create distant roll of summer
thunder. In the murk of
"backstage" everyone, without
distracting, fans themselves to
create, (subliminally) a feeling
of sultry, storminess. Unlike
today, a woman having a crush on a
man was an earth shattering
experience, and the LOWER FOURTH,
especially, are, living
vicariously through the passion
affecting ESTA'S anticipations.
ESTA (CONT'D) (cont’d)
'COS A MAN HAPPENS TO A WOMAN
AND SUDDENLY, SHE SEEMS TO BE
A LITTLE CLOSER, TO LOVE.
HOW WELL HE KNEW ME,
BUT HOW MUCH HAVE WE CHANGED?
AND ARE WE REARRANGED BY THE HAND OF TIME?
MY LIFE'S A WHISPER,
I HANG ON HIS EVERY WORD AND IN HIS SILENCE I HAVE HEARD
ALL THAT HE'S THINKING-COS A MAN
Three excited-for-herGIRLFRIENDS, (SENIORS with wrist
fans,) run in to hand her a red
wax sealed square of letter. She
sits staring at it before finally
opening it.
GIRL FRIENDS
COS A MAN HAPPENS TO A WOMAN
ESTA
AHAB!
SUDDENLY, SHE SEEMS TO BE
A LITTLE CLOSER, TO LOVE
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
19.
GIRL FRIENDS
YOU KEPT ME WAITING, WAITING FOR LOVE! (RPTD.)
AHAB speaks, over music, off.
AHAB(V.O)
"My Dearest wife Esta, I realize I've been away
for three years and you've probably
forgotten what I look like but it won't be long
now. My ship …"
AHAB'S voice fades out as ESTA'S
become more dominant.
ESTA
…"'The Pequod' is due into Nantucket Harbour
anytime this month and there is much to tell
you. Your affectionate husband, venturer, and
navigator- Ahab."
ESTA sighs, (GIRL FRIENDS squeal,)
and clutches AHAB'S letter, to her
breast.
ESTA (CONT'D) (cont’d)
Oh, girls, that man hit me like a big green
school bus. We're going to have so many
children we'll have to feed them on onions so
we can find them in the dark! Why?
COS A MAN
GIRL FRIENDS
COS A MAN
ESTA & GIRL FRIENDS
HAPPENS, TO A WOMAN
AND SUDDENLY, SHE SEEMS TO BE
ESTA
A LITTLE CLOSER
GIRL FRIENDS
A LITTLE CLOSER
ESTA
TO LOVE!
GIRL FRIENDS
CLOSER TO LOVE!
GUESTS
YOU KEPT ME WAITING, WAITING FOR LOVE!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
20.
ESTA dances to an instrumental
break.
ESTA
YOU KEPT ME WAITING, WAITING FOR LOVE!
5. Ahab's Homecoming
To a great fanfare, an extremely
serious LITTLE GIRL, (who hates to
be in the wrong, but keeps
tripping up,) enters dressed as a
FLUNKY, (with a periwig,) carrying
candelabra as she heralds the
entrance of AHAB's sea chest. The
chest is overflowing with silks
and gold, maybe other Ryder
Haggard-like mementoes (tiger
skins, etc, to denote exotic
travels,) which is brought across
the stage by DAGOO and FLASK,
followed by PIP, who is in awe of
the house. ESTA follows the chest
upstage and, as it disappears,
(off,) then suddenly freezes in
the presence of her Lord and
Master. AHAB has entered,
(surrounded by GUESTS from the
harbour, (replete with food and
drink for a party,) who now
congeal, as one, between ESTA and
AHAB upstage, to watch their coy
stand off,( with PIP in the
middle,)and DAGOO and FLASK
returning to join a romantic
interlude, laced with tension.
ESTA (CONT'D) (cont’d)
AHAB
GUESTS
AHAB!
AHAB
ESTA…
GUESTS
ESTA!
AHAB
YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL
ESTA
YOU LOOK SOMEWHAT OLDER
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
21.
AHAB
IT'S BEEN THREE LONG YEARS
GUESTS
THREE YEARS!
ESTA
NOW YOU'VE COME HOME TO ME, EVERYTHING'S…
ESTA & GUESTS
PERFECT!
ESTA runs, (crying,) into AHAB'S
passionate embrace, which the
GUESTS applaud lightly, but, a
hush falls when AHAB holds ESTA at
arms length to explain something
serious.
AHAB
BUT I BEAR TRAGEDY
ESTA BE STRONG FOR ME.
A REVELATION WITHOUT JOY
AND SPOKEN BY YOUR BROKEN TOY.
Allow musical air around this
recit, as ESTA'S face twists from
happiness to tears.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
OUR DREAM OF BOY OR GIRL
IS NOW A WORTHLESS PEARL
AHAB (CONT'D (cont’d)
Esta, dearest wife, you were so looking forward
to having children. But my leg, everything
Deadly serious, no send up.
ESTA
Everything?
BUT HOW?
AHAB
A ROGUE WHITE WHALE THE ELDEST SAILORS CALL…
ESTA and the GUESTS now ask the
name of the sinister "star of the
show," and they act "as if faced
by an unexpected gun."
ESTA & GUESTS
SAILORS CALL…?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
22.
AHAB, can barely form the words
from terror.
AHAB
SAILORS CALL!
AHAB clutches his brow with his
left hand as his mind relives the
memory. The GUESTS hold hands to
their faces, equally terrified at
the prospect of the answer.
GUESTS
SAILORS CALL?
AHAB turns his back on ESTA as he
utters the name menacingly.
AHAB
MOBY DICK!
GUESTS whisper to one another
through corners of mouths.
GUESTS
MOBY DICK?
Now, repeated fearsomely.
AHAB & GUESTS
MOBY DICK!
AHAB spins round to fling his
cloak over his shoulder and
reluctantly reveal his ivory
stump! GUESTS and ESTA sing a
musical SCREAM which cues instant
chaos! Lightening strikes, the
portrait flies out and the GUESTS
vanish in a whirlpool of horror as
ESTA, in high distress, runs out
into...
SCENE 5- AHAB'S GARDEN.
...a stone walled garden on a
hillock facing a glittering seascape. AHAB stands before her,
seething with betrayal and
brandishing a horse whip. ESTA
circles a cut-out TREE which plays
host to cut-out doves, as she
avoids AHAB'S whip.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
23.
AHAB
THANK YOU FOR YOU GREAT UNDERSTANDING
A sado-masochistic LITTLE GIRL
creates the whip cracks but all
concentrate on the scene.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
YOU HAVE MADE A SICK MAN FEEL WORSE
Whip crack!
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
YOU DESERVE A THOROUGH MANHANDLING
Whip crack!
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
BUT, WORSE, RECEIVE MY CURSE!
To place a public curse on someone
in those days was common practice.
See G & S RUDDIGORE. As AHAB
utters each separate line of the
curse, he forces ESTA
(backwards,)up the embankment
bordered by a dry stone wall.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
FROM HELL'S GATE I SPIT MY HEART AT THEE!
WITH THIS SPELL I BLOW LAST BREATH AT THEE!
CURSE YOUR FATE AND CURSE YOUR DESTINY!
WIFE FROM HELL, YOU STAND THERE GUILTILY!
CURSED BE!
But, with no where further to go,
the wall gives way. Musical pause,
as ESTA attempts to regain her
balance, but the ground slips from
under her, and she disappears over
the cliff top (to land on a
mattress, of course.)
ESTA
NO, DON'T LET ME GO!
A traumatized AHAB runs up to the
wall but he is too late. A LITTLE
GIRL cries out...
LITTLE GIRL
Splash!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
24.
...then tosses a bucket of glitter
or blue confetti up from the "sea"
below.
AHAB
ESTA?
WHAT HAVE I DONE?
SHE'S FALLEN
MOBY theme, as in the glittering
moonlit seascape, we see a distant
white whale surface and vanish.
All the above played as hidebehind-the-sofa-melodrama upstaged
by the ever presence of the
malevolent whale.
ALL
(VOICES OFF)
AHAB!
AHAB
AND VOICES ARE CALLING ME.
VOICES THAT TELL ME I'LL SEE HER AT SEA.
AHAB holds his head in pain as all
the LOWER FOURTH whisper
oppressive babble in a form of
round.
LOWER FOURTH
"It's a tragedy that a simple minded feud
should result in this. He'll never recover
and since she is lost for ever he must go from
here immediately!"
From this moment on, the
HEADMISTRESS represents AHAB as a
broken man, singing over the
above.
AHAB (CONT'D)
THERE'S A MADNESS TAKING OVER ME!
LOWER FOURTH
MADNESS!
PIP becomes AHAB'S "lost leg" a
human crutch to guide him away.
PIP
MASTER?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
25.
SCENE 6 - AHAB'S TEEPEE
AHAB lies on a sanatorium bed, in
his teepee cabin, as PIP takes his
rum bottle from his clutch and
prays. This will be the first of
several tableaux depicting
historical catastrophes. Our
PLACARD GIRL crosses the stage
carrying announcing; "The Death of
Chatterton," a famous painting of
a dying poet
6. Love Will Always
PIP
FATHER I STRETCH MY HAND TO THEE
FOR WHERE ELSE COULD I GO
SHOW ME A WORLD AS IT SHOULD BE
NOT ONE THAT HURTS US SO.
AHAB TWISTS AND TURNS IN HIS
MENTAL TORMENT, AS PIP MOPS HIS
BROW.
PIP (CONT'D)
HEARTACHES ARE CRUEL
LOVE MAKES A FOOL
OF THOSE WHO TAKE THE BLOW.
PIP uses a long handled brush to
straighten AHAB'S hair.
PIP (CONT'D) (cont’d)
MASTER… TALKING THE WHOLE NIGHT THROUGH
AHAB
ESTA…
PIP
TALKING TO YOU!
ALL
LOVE WILL ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE FOOLS OF US ALL
PIP
FOOLS OF US ALL
ALL
LOVE WILL ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE FOOLS OF US ALL
PIP
FOOLS OF US ALL.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
26.
ESTA YOU SEEM TO FILL HIS DREAMS
ALTHOUGH YOU BROKE HIS HEART
YOUR GREAT EXPECTATIONS BROKE LOVE'S SEAMS
AND ALL SOON FELL APART.
ALL
AHAB
PIP
YOU WERE HIS LIVING PROOF
ALL
ESTA…
PIP
OF HONESTY AND TRUTH!
PIP abandons AHAB, for the stars,
which finds him singing to the
hairbrush, (no send up,) like an
earnest pop star.
PIP (CONT'D) (cont’d)
LOVE WILL ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE FOOLS OF US ALL
ALL
FOOLS OF US ALL
PIP
LOVE WILL ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE FOOLS OF US ALL
FOOLS OF US ALL
ALL
DISPOSSESSED SOULS
WITH DESPERATE GOALS
EXIST ON EVERY STREET, WE KNOW
LOVE WILL ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE FOOLS OF US ALL
PIP
FOOLS OF US ALL
ALL
LOVE WILL ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE FOOLS OF US ALL
PIP
FOOLS OF US ALL
PIP HAS RETURNED TO AHAB'S SIDE AND SLEEPS AT HIS FEET.
FATHER I STRETCH MY HAND TO THEE.
SCENE 7 -ROOM AT THE SPOUTER INN
LIGHTS UP on ISHMAEL'S creepy
attic bedroom. A BED is trucked
with a sign which says; 'Only four
at one time, towels inclusive'.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
27.
ISHMAEL
Mr. Coffin, who am I sleeping with tonight?
Maybe I'll look him over before I sail into
"Blanket Bay"?
COFFIN
Your bedfellow is called Queequeg.
ISHMAEL removes his outer
garments.
ISHMAEL
Queequeg? Doesn't sound like an ordinary whale
man to me?
COFFIN
He's not. Queequeg's a Polynesian voyager from
the magical islands of Hawaii. He's out trying
to sell his shrunken heads right now to pay his
rent.
ISHMAEL drops trousers. They stay
down as he says;
ISHMAEL
Let me get this straight; you want me to sleep
with a cannibal- who missed supper?
COFFIN
Look, Ishmael, don't get in a stew; He may be a
cannibal but better to sleep with a sober
Heathen than a drunken Christian?
COFFIN exits half dusting things
as he goes.
COFFIN (CONT'D) (CONT’D) (cont’d)
Sweet dreams.
ISHMAEL
Well, just as long as he doesn't take a fancy
to my head. That's not the kind of adventure
I'm looking for.
ISHMAEL blows out the candle on
the chair and attempts to sleep.
In the moonlit "blackout", the
fun, weird and exotic, young
QUEEQUEG (covered in arm tattoo)
enters with "his" own candle, and
places his skull adorned harpoon
(shaped like Melville's ink nib
pen,) against the wall.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
28.
Now, as pre sleep ritual, he pulls
out a pagan-ahem, well
endowed,(but natural,)wooden
'god', places it centre-stage to
chant to it.
QUEEQUEG
Oh we oh wama wama paheena uwe hama ma hiye, ma
hiye!
The chanting causes ISHMAEL to sit
up , like a gun target, terrified,
after which, he dives beneath the
covers, as QUEEQUEG puts away his
'god' and slips into bed beside
ISHMAEL. QUEEQUEG senses he has a
bed fellow and feels her pregnant
state above the blanket before
revealing ISHMAEL'S face.
ISHMAEL
Good evening.
Both SCREAM and leap out of the
bed like SCOOBY DOO KIDS.
BOTH
Agggh!
QUEEQUEG reclaims his harpoon,
leaps back on top of the bed, and
threatens to pin the quaking
ISHMAEL like a butterfly, against
the wall, hidden behind whale
motif blanket, protecting
ISHMAEL'S modesty.
QUEEQUEG
Who you? What you do in my bed?!
ISHMAEL
Landlord! Save me!
QUEEQUEG
Speak or I killee!
ISHMAEL
Mr. Coffin! Help! He's going to paddle me into
a poi bowl.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
29.
COFFIN runs in, now dressed in
night-shirt and cap and wrestles
the harpoon off QUEEQUEG,
swiftly,( pretends,) to hit his
foot with the end of it, so the
adolescent QUEEQUEG yelps, jumps
off the bed, (hopping,) as ISHMAEL
hides behind COFFIN showing a
picture of his bum, illustrated on
his nightshirt.
COFFIN
Bless me, Ishmael; what's all this yelling and
ejaculating going on? Keep it down! You'll wake
the whole town!
ISHMAEL
Well, it's just the usual shock of meeting a
cannibal which is far too exciting to be
greeted in silence!
COFFIN
Sorry, Queequeg, this young teacher was in need
of a bed, so I said he could share
yours. Goodness me, Ishmael, you'll have
shipmates far stranger than this friendly
fellow.
ISHMAEL
Friendly, I feel as if I have "today's menu"
stenciled on my forehead. If I am going to end
up as yesterday's rice, I'd prefer it if he
wasn't so friendly!
COFFIN
But islanders make the best whalers, lad, and
Queequeg's a human being just like you.
ISHMAEL
Yes, but a human being with an appetite for
other human beings which is different to a
human being who just hungers for knowledge.
COFFIN
Well, its sign up day tomorrow, boys, you
better get some sleep or else you won't be
going anywhere.
COFFIN goes. QUEEQUEG attempts to
calm ISHMAEL down.
QUEEQUEG
You want sleepee in my bed?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
30.
ISHMAEL
Yes please, just as long as you fall asleep
before I do..
BOTH slip tentatively back beneath
the blanket. QUEEQUEG proffers
ISHMAEL a shrunken head holding it
by the hair.
QUEEQUEG
For-you?
ISHMAEL
Gee, no thanks; I've eaten.
QUEEQUEG tosses head over
shoulder, tips coins onto bed and
frenetically starts to divide the
money equally.
QUEEQUEG
We friends; we share money?
ISHMAEL
Well, thanks Hedgehog, I mean er - Queequeg,
that's very nice of you. Perhaps when I've
become more used to you?
QUEEQUEG tosses money over
shoulder, speedily produces
TOMAHAWK PIPE. ISHMAEL shrieks.
ISHMAEL (cont’d)
Agggh!
QUEEQUEG
We share pipe of dreams?
ISHMAEL
Okay, I've seen a peace pipe before; just never
one in the shape of a tomahawk.
QUEEQUEG
Suck and see.
ISHMAEL blows bubbles, (no real
smoke,)then coughs.
ISHMAEL
Well, that's clean gone straight to my head.
QUEEQUEG
We big friends now. Share everything; same
pipe, same money, same ship. Yes?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
31.
ISHMAEL crosses his eyes and
speaks in a funny voice.
ISHMAEL
Shure, the shame ship, sheep dip, I mean
Queequeg, but on the strict understanding that
you come to the whalers Bethel to get blessed
for the journey same as me; deal?
QUEEQUEG
Big deal. Rub noses. We soul mates now.
They rub noses and settle
QUEEQUEG picks up his old
book with a whale cartoon
front cover, licks finger
starts to turn the pages.
is bored.
back.
picture
on the
and
ISHMAEL
7. Primitive
ISHMAEL
IS IT A GOOD BOOK?
QUEEQUEG
SURE, MUCH TO TURN; LOOK!
ISHMAEL shares the book.
QUEEQUEG (CONT'D) (cont’d)
I KNOW PICTURES QUEEQUEG can't read.
QUEEQUEG (CONT'D) (cont’d)
WORDS SAY?
ISHMAEL reads for him.
ISHMAEL
OH, ER - "WHALERS".
QUEEQUEG
TRUE, TRUE. I THANK YOU
ISHMAEL suddenly gazes admiringly
at QUEEQUEG.
ISHMAEL
QUEEQUEG, WHO ARE YOU?
HAVE YOU MET CAPTAIN COOK?!
QUEEQUEG plumps up pillow, settles
ISHMAEL back.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
32.
QUEEQUEG
Relax, we go native.
WHEN CAPTAIN OF SHIP SEE ME
WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WILL SEE?
A BOY WHO THROWS ACCURATELY!
BOY FROM HAWAIIAN ISLAND.
WITH SURF AND SAND IN MY BLOOD
WITH SPEAR AND NET I THROW GOOD.
THAT CAPTAIN MAKE ME HIS BUD!
BOY FROM HAWAIIAN ISLAND.
ISHMAEL
HAWAII
QUEEQUEG
IS A PARADISE
ISHMAEL
HAWAII
QUEEQUEG
IT CAN ENTRANCE
ISHMAEL
CAN THAT BE
UKULELE SIGHS
QUEEQUEG
YOU AND ME
HULA DANCE?
BOTH
THE HULA GIRLS SING SONG OF THE ISLANDS
THE HULA BOYS COME OUT OF THE SURF
WE'RE ALL IN HULA HEAVEN ON WHITE SANDS
AND IT'S THE WETTEST SPOT HERE ON EARTH.
Sexually charged ISLANDERS, (see
"Vargass Girls" and Gill
paintings,) enter, kukui torches
illuminate fantasy back drop of
volcano, coral red island.
ISLANDERS
THE HULA BOYS AND GIRLS GREET THEIR NEW KING
HAWAII NIGH TIME IS WARM AND GOOD
AGAINST THE SWOONING SURF THAT IS CRASHING
THE MOONLIGHT POINTS DOWN TO ALL THAT’S GOOD.
THE HULA BOYS AND GIRLS GREET THEIR NEW KING
HAWAII NIGH TIME IS WARM AND GOOD
AGAINST THE SWOONING SURF THAT IS CRASHING
IS THE GREATEST STORY EVER HULAD.
Dance.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
33.
QUEEQUEG
AND AFTER THEY "WHALING" TEACH
NEW MAN RETURN TO HIS BEACH
BIG CORONATION AND SPEECH
CHIEF ON HAWAIIAN ISLAND.
ISHMAEL
HAWAII
QUEEQUEG
WE WILL DIVE FOR COINS
ISHMAEL
HAWAII
QUEEQUEG
AND SURF THE SEA
ISHMAEL/QUEEQUEG
YOU'LL (I'LL) BE FREE TO TAN YOUR (MY) LOINS
QUEEQUEG
ON WAIKIKI WITH ME.
ALL
THE HULA GIRLS SING SONG OF THE ISLANDS
THE HULA BOYS COME OUT OF THE SURF
WE'RE ALL IN HULA HEAVEN ON WHITE SANDS
AND IT'S THE WETTEST SPOT HERE ON EARTH.
THE HULA GIRLS SING SONG OF THE ISLANDS
THE HULA BOYS COME OUT OF THE SURF
WE'RE ALL IN HULA HEAVEN ON WHITE SANDS
AND IT'S THE WETTEST SPOT HERE ON EARTH.
SUB TROPICAL thunder in distance,
ISLANDERS run off, (in different
directions,) boys scamper to bed,
QUEEQUEG puts affectionate arm
round ISHMAEL.
ISHMAEL
Oh? Aloha!
BLACKOUT, torrential rain.
SCENE 8 - SPOUTER INN
A low beamed BAR called "STARBUCKSa MILK BAR" is run by Mr. Starbuck
and his wife, Mary. Don't call it
just STARBUCKS. Let the audience
work it out! "BUOYS" on one
toilet, "GULLS" on the other.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
34.
DAGOO, FLASK, STUBB act rowdily
(but, in fact, only drink milk
shakes.) PIP plays chess with
STARBUCK, with MARY greeting an
increasingly mad looking AHAB, who
enters, blown in by a gale.
8. Revengers Tragedy
DRUNKEN SAILORS
NA NA NANA NANA NA NA (WHOAH OH OH)
NA NA NANA NANA NA NA (cont’d)
AHAB
SORRY PIP TO RIP YOU FROM THIS...
Can't find the word-the others
fill in.
PIP AND SAILORS
...PARADISE!
AHAB
TIME TO CULL THE BULL THAT CUT ME DOWN...
AHAB, PIP AND SAILORS
...TO SIZE!
AHAB
FEEL LIKE DOCTOR JEKYLL (PRONOUNCED JEKEEL) TURNING IN...
AHAB, PIP AND SAILORS
...TO HYDE
AHAB
WAITING FOR MY WILLFUL CORE TO BLOW
LIKE A VOLCANO!
All toast, clink milk glasses.
AHAB & PIP AND SAILORS
LET'S DRINK TO HAPPY DAYS AND FAIRER WEATHER (WHOAHOHOH)
AND CROSS THE BRIDGE OF EMPTY DREAMS TOGETHER
A TOAST TO EVERY GHOST OF MISSING SAILOR (WHOAHOHOH)
WHEN TROUBLE SAILS A FAST SHIP HELL FOR LEATHER!
A MARITIME CRIME COST ME MY MARRIAGE
AND ALL I HAVE LEFT IS ONE LAST PASSAGE
THE PAST IS EVER PRESENT ON MY MIND!
MEDICATES MIND WITH MORE MILK.
PIP AND SAILORS
NA NA NANA NANA NA NA (WHOAH OH OH)
NA NA NANA NANA NA NA
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
35.
Other HEATHENS enter, blown in by
the gale..
AHAB
LOVES GONE COLD AND I FEEL OLD AS...
PIP AND SAILORS
...TIME IT SELF.
AHAB
TORN APART MY BROKEN HEART'S BACK...
PIP AND SAILORS
...ON THE SHELF.
AHAB
STILL I'M FEELING VENGEFUL AS A..
AHAB, PIP AND SAILORS
WILLFUL RED!
AHAB
LOOKING FORWARD TO A HEAD TO HEAD
AHAB, PIP AND SAILORS
SO I (YOU) CAN SEE HIM DEAD.
UPON THE OCEAN BED!
AHAB hands PIP a contract scroll.
AHAB
PIp, take this contract to the city elders
and tell them Ahab's fit for their endeavors.
PIP exits, (against gale,) with
his missive. AHAB conspires with
his Heathen favorites.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
BUT MIDWAY OUT I'LL CHANGE OUR DRIFT TO ACTION!
AND HUNT THE BEAST INSPIRED MY GIFT FOR FICTION!
AHAB & SAILORS
THE WORLD WILL WATCH US SLIP AWAY
AND LEAVE THIS TOWN ON CHRISTMAS DAY
WITH ONLY ONE THING ON MY (HIS) FETID MIND!
THE WORLD WILL WATCH US SLIP AWAY
AND LEAVE THIS TOWN ON CHRISTMAS DAY
WITH ONLY ONE THING ON MY (HIS) FETID MIND!
A THOUSAND LEAGUES BENEATH THE SEA
THE DEVIL IS AWAITING ME
TO BLIND MY SEASICK,
SCHIZOPHRENIC,
MONOMEGLOMANIACAL MIND!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
36.
Gale blows DOOR open on its own,
HEATHENS attempt to close it, as
AHAB orders more milk!
NA NA NANA NANA NA NA (WHOAH OH OH) ETC.
NA NA NANA NANA NA NA (WHOAH OH OH) ETC.
AHAB
MARY?
MORE DAIRY!
BLACKOUT.
SCENE 9- WHALERS BETHEL
Chapel bell tolls as daylight
blooms and ISHMAEL and QUEEQUEG
arrive, (singing to the audience,)
as they join a gathering
congregation.
11. Jonah Fell
ISHMAEL/QUEEQUEG
AND IN THE FRESH SCRUBBED MORNING LIGHT
OUT IN THE WINTER WEATHER
WE LEAVE THE STRANGENESS OF THE NIGHT
TO RUN TO CHURCH TOGETHER.
They are welcomed by FATHER MAPPLE
and enter the Whalers bethel, (a
simple, tiny, white interior
church,) run by Quakers, the fleet
owners of the town.
MAPPLE;
DRAWN TO THE KNELL OF MY CHAPEL BELL
A BLESSING THERE WILL BE!
CONGREGATION
GOOD DAY.
ISHMAEL/QUEEQUEG
ONLY THE LONELY CAN BE
MAPPLE
LET'S PRAY
ISHMAEL
MY NEW BEST FRIEND AND ME!
The congregation settle (WOMEN and
CHILDREN facing the MEN,) while
FATHER MAPPLE stands behind a
lectern shaped like a ship's prow.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
37.
After a brief musical sermon,
please note you are about to sing
a joyful Quaker hymn, not a gospel
song.
MAPPLE
Wives, widowers, children and harbour
men of Nantucket..
CRYSTAL CLEAR SKIES!
BREATH ROBBING COLD!
THIS IS THE KIND OF SURPRISE
ALL SALTS OF THE SEA BEHOLD.
BUT I WARN YOU PLAIN
BETRAY YOUR SHIP'S OWNER
A WISE MAN MUST PRAY TO OBTAIN
FORGIVENESS -LIKE JONAH!
JONAH FELL,
INTO THE HELL OF THE WHALE
UNTIL HE ASKED GOD TO SET HIM FREE!
CONGREGATION
PRAISE BE!
WHAT HIS TALE TELLS TO EACH GOOD FAMILY
IS PUT YOUR FAITH IN GOD WHEN YOU'RE AT SEA
AND HE'LL BE…
WITH YOU IN THE MORNING
WITH YOU IN THE NIGHT
WITH YOU WHEN IT'S POURING
WITH YOU WHEN IT'S BRIGHT
WITH YOU WHEN YOU'RE HAPPY
WITH YOU WHEN YOU'RE GRIM
AND ALL THAT YOU NEED HAVE TO DO
CONGREGATION
IS LIVE- FOR HIM!
MAPPLE
QUAKER FRIENDS, BEWARE OF HEATHEN TRENDS
SATAN SENDS TEMPTATIONS FOR HIS OWN ENDS!
The CONGREGATION takes a minimal
peek at QUEEQUEG but QUAKERS are
an all-embracing people, their
look is more curiosity about the
strange harpooner's appearance.
CONGREGATION
HIS OWN ENDS!
MAPPLE
SERMON ENDS.
LET US DISPERSE TO OUR HOMES
AND PRAY OUR CHRISTIAN MISSION BLESSES ALL FOAMS
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
38.
MAPPLE (cont’d)
WHERE GOD ROAMS…
CONGREGATION
WITH YOU IN THE MORNING
WITH YOU IN THE NIGHT)
WITH YOU WHEN IT'S POURING
WITH YOU WHEN IT'S BRIGHT
WITH YOU WHEN YOU'RE HAPPY
WITH YOU WHEN YOU'RE GRIM
AND ALL THAT YOU NEED HAVE TO DO
AND ALL THAT YOU NEED HAVE TO DO
IS LIVE- FOR HIM!
THE BLESSING!
GO TO SEA!
WHALERS AT PERIL FOR ME
MAY GOD GO WITH YOU AS I BLESS THEE.
BLESS THEE!
CONGREGATION (cont’d)
BLESS THEE!
Over the final play-out of the
song, the LIGHTS FADE on the
chapel as QUEEQUEG and ISHMAEL
walk away towards the assemblage
of different ships (over heads of
the audience) evoked in shadow
play across the stage. A LITTLE
GIRL makes seagull noises.
SCENE 10 - NANTUCKET HARBOUR
ISHMAEL
Which boat would you like to sail on Queequeg,
"let's see now, we got the" Devil Damn"...
QUEEQUEG
That one!
ISHMAEL
The "Pequod?"
QUEEQUEG
Name of Native American tribe; good fighter.
ISHMAEL
Okay, the "Pequod" it is.
STARBUCK and STUBB are quick to
pounce on new assignees.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
39.
STARBUCK
Can we be of any assistance?
ISHMAEL
I hope so. Where do we sign, Captain?
STUBB
He's not the Captain. He's below deck. Sick.
STARBUCK
But fairing better every day. I'm Starbuck,
first mate, and this is Mr. Stubb, third in
command. So, why dost though want to sign
up?
ISHMAEL
Well, I've been on five voyages with the
Merchant Navy, already?
STUBB
Ha! Call that going to sea? Have you seen
Captain Ahab? Clap eye on Ahab and thou will
find he only has one leg.
ISHMAEL
Oh, what do you mean, sir, did a whale lose the
other leg?
STARBUCK
Devoured, chewed, and crunched up by the
biggest monster living on the planet!
ISHMAEL
Really?
STUBB
Over a thousand hands high!
ISHMAEL
Wow, so, how much is that in fingers?
QUEEQUEG elbows ISHMAEL.
ISHMAEL
Oh, by the way, do you take Pagan?
STARBUCK
Only if they can throw!
ISHMAEL
Well, I don't mind telling you, Queequeg here
is like the Action Man I never had. He can
throw for Hawaii.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
40.
STARBUCK
Well, we can offer you both a whole one
thousandth share of the profits.
ISHMAEL
You can? A entire one thousandth? Well, I'm
lost for words?
QUEEQUEG
Oarsome.
ISHMAEL
That'll cover it. Sign us up!
10. Sign Up.
STARB, STUBB, QUEEQUEG, ISH
HAIL PROFITEERS
TO A RICH THREE YEARS
PUT YOUR SIGNATURE RIGHT HERE
ISHMAEL signs ledger,
STARB, STUBB, QUEEQUEG, ISH
(cont’d)
AHAB HAS SWORN
ANCHOR UP AT DAWN
THEN YOU'LL START YOUR NEW CAREER
QUEEQUEG makes his mark.
STARB, STUBB, QUEEQUEG, ISH
AS WHALERS. IT'S DONE SIRS.
STARBUCK and STUBB retreat.
11. Pequod.
ISHMAEL speaks over introduction.
ISHMAEL
And that was that. At the stroke of a
quill we were now staring at what
would become our new home; The Pequod!
And my goodness, what a ship it was!
TRAPPED ON AN ISLAND
WAITING FOR MY LIFE TO START
SEARCHING FOR SOMEONE TO BE
SITTING 'ROUND A WEARY HEART
AN ANCIENT INSPIRATION
A NOBLE CRAFT OF THE SEA
WHITE IVORY COMPANION
SUN-BEATEN MYSTERY
ATTRACTS MY FULL INSPECTION
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
41.
ISHMAEL (cont’d)
NAUTICAL EMPEROR
YOU'RE THE SHIP FOR ME!
ISHMAEL & QUEEQUEG
PEQUOD
QUEEQUEG
WITH SAILS THAT TOUCH THE SKY!
ISHMAEL & QUEEQUEG
PEQUOD
ISHMAEL
YOU CAUGHT OUR WANDERING EYE!
QUEEQUEG
SAILING A DRAGON
CHARIOT OF ICE AND FIRE
I'LL TOUCH THE ROCKS OF THE WORLD
CHASE HORIZONS, NEVER TIRE
AND FROM A COUNTRY SIMPLE
I'LL DRINK THE LIGHT OF OLD KINGS
SEE MOLTEN MOUNTAINS TREMBLE
HEAR JUNGLE CANOPIES SING
SEARCH OUT EACH HOLY TEMPLE
KISS EACH OASIS OF KNOWLEDGE
WHEN THEY SPRING…
LIGHTS DOWN, as a red light fills
AHAB'S CABIN, and he pours over
sea charts.
AHAB
PEQUOD, WITH SAILS THAT TOUCH THE SKY
PEQUOD, YOU MAKE OLD SEA DOGS SIGH!
A FORCE OF RETRIBUTION
MY BLACK HEART PUMPS THROUGH YOUR BEAMS,
MY SNOW CAPPED INSPIRATION
TO SAIL WITH DEMONS IT SEEMS.
AND COME THE NEXT DAY
YOU WILL PLAY
MY SHIP OF SCHEMES!
PEQUOD
ISHMAEL & QUEEQUEG
PEQUOD!
AHAB
WITH SAILS THAT TOUCH THE SKY
ALL
WITH SAILS THAT TOUCH THE SKY
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
42.
AHAB
PEQUOD
ALL
PEQUOD!
AHAB
YOU CAUGHT MY WANDERING EYE
ALL
YOU CAUGHT MY WANDERING EYE
AHAB
PEQUOD
ALL
PEQUOD!
AHAB
YOU MAKE OLD SEA DOGS SIGH
ALL
YOU MAKE OLD SEA DOGS SIGH
AHAB ISHMAEL & QUEEQUEG
PEQUOD!
ALL
PEQUOD!
WATER F.X. on ISHMAEL and QUEEQUEG
as LITTLE GIRLS make water lapping
sounds as well as boardwalk
creaking noises as an old
fashioned drop roll depicts a
never ending wharf of oil barrels,
before which a sinister encounter
ensues.
ISHMAEL
I don't know about you, Queequeg, but I'm not
sure I like signing up with a Captain I've
never set eyes on.
QUEEQUEG
Come, we better search out rest of crew.
But jealous ISHMAEL holds QUEEQUEG
back.
ISHMAEL
Please, Queequeg-don't make any more friends. I
only have you.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
43.
Suddenly, a voice from the
auditorium makes them jump!
ELIJAH
Ahoy there shipmates! Going aboard?
ISHMAEL
Aye, we've signed articles. Why?
ELIJAH
Then you sail on the devil's business. Anything
down there about your souls?
ISHMAEL
Our souls?
ELIJAH
Or perhaps ya don't have none? I know many
sailors who don't.
ISHMAEL
Let's go, Queequeg, this guy is crackers.
ELIJAH joins them on stage and
blocks heir path.
ELIJAH
Have you seen Captain Ahab?
ISHMAEL
No, not yet. They say he's sick but will be all
right before too long.
ELIJAH
All right before too long? Look ye, when
Captain Ahab is all right then this arm of mine
will be all right.
Shows lost arm.
ELIJAH (CONT'D) (cont’d)
Did you know Captain Ahab's mother was an
Indian squaw and that there is a curse on his
biblical name?
QUEEQUEG looks concerned. ISHMAEL
placates him.
ISHMAEL
He can't help what his mother called him can
he, Queequeg?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
44.
It's important that someone puts
an image of Moby Dick in the
audience's mind. This is that
moment.
ELIJAH
Nothing about losing his leg on the last
voyage? According to the prophecy; the thing
that happened to him off Cape Horn on the
Pequod? How a rogue white whale as vast
as the deepest breath, tore off his stump and
marked Ahab in and out - mischief done to his
soul? The words "vast as the deepest breath"
are amplified with creepy reverb.How his torn
body and gashed soul bled into one another and interfusing - made him stark, starin' mad?!!!
QUEEQUEG
Him mad; you daft as badger!
ISHMAEL
Look, stranger, all I know is that any minute
now we're sailing to the Pacific and
Atlantic oceans, and other Yvonne De Carlo
countries, and we would prefer not to be
detained. If you have something to say then
cough it up, it's easy for a man to look as if
he has something important to say.
ELIJAH
But I have lad - I have!
The LOWER FOURTH enter to show off
their Irish folk dancing skills as
JUNIORS gather to witness the
commotion. PLACARD GIRLS crosses
announcing "THE PROPHECY."
12.
At Sea One Day
ELIJAH (cont’d)
AT SEA ONE DAY YOU'LL SMELL SOME LAND
WHERE LAND THERE MAY NOT BE AT HAND
AND ON THAT DAY YOU'LL ALL BE DAMNED
FOR ALL, SAVE ONE, WILL DIE!
I KNOW YOU MAY NOT WANT TO KNOW
THIS SORT OF THING BEFORE YOU GO
BUT STILL, I THOUGHT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW
IN CASE YOU WONDERED WHY;
His prophesy! So, spell it out!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
45.
ELIJAH (CONT'D) (cont’d)
AT SEA ONE DAY YOU'LL SMELL SOME LAND
WHERE LAND THERE MAY NOT BE AT HAND
ALL
AND MAY WE ASK YOU WHY?
ELIJAH
COS WHEN DRY DOCKED I SOON GET CROCKED
WITH A SKIN FULL OF HOOCH I SLUMBER
He begs for a drink.
ALL
PA!
ELIJAH
AND AS I DREAMT THE DREAM I DREW
WAS AN INSIGHT INTO THE FUTURE!
They give him a drink.
ELIJAH (cont’d)
HA!
I WOULD NOT LIKE TO GO TO SEA
AND TEMPT THIS AWFUL PROPHECY
BUT I'M NOT YOU AND YOU'RE NOT ME
AND WHAT WILL BE WILL BE
AT SEA ONE DAY
ALL
AT SEA ONE DAY
ELIJAH
YOU'LL SMELL SOME LAND
ALL
WE'LL SMELL SOME LAND
ELIJAH
WHERE LAND THERE MAY NOT BE AT HAND
ALL
TELL US IT'S A LIE!
ELIJAH
NO, ON THAT DAY,
ALL
WHAT, ON THAT DAY?
ELIJAH
YOU'LL SINK LIKE STONES
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
46.
ALL
WE'LL SINK LIKE STONES?
ELIJAH
EXCEPT THE BONES
OF ONE SMALL FRY!
ALL
WHO'S THE LUCKY GUY?
ISHMAEL
AFORE WE GO BEFORE THE MAST
TO CHASE THE WHALE AT LAST, SIR
YOUR NAME I'D RATHER LIKE TO ASK…
ELIJAH
ELIJAH, SIR'S, MY NAME
ALL
ELIJAH!
ISHMAEL
IS A PROPHET'S NAME!
ALL
ELIJAH!
ISHMAEL
PROPHECY'S HIS GAME!
ALL
ELIJAH!
ELIJAH
I'M REALLY NOT TO BLAME,
ALL
THEN ARE WE ALL TO DIE?
QUEEQUEG
THIS CRAZY'S MADE UP OF TROUBLE AND GLUE
AND PLANT SEED OF GOSSIPY RUMOR
HE SCARE UP SHADOWY THINGS FROM THE BLUE
IN HOPE WE GO NO FURTHER!
ELIJAH
AT SEA ONE DAY
ALL
AT SEA ONE DAY
ELIJAH
YOU'LL SINK LIKE LEAD!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
47.
ALL
AND SEE SEA BED!
THIS ONE ARMED FIBBER'S OFF HIS HEAD
HIS PROPHECY'S A LIE!
ELIJAH
I KNOW THE TRUTH IS HARDLY PROOF
AND HONESTY'S A VIRTUE
The CREW call up to AHAB'S
illuminated cabin and ELIJAH
flees, (only to return for his
stylized bow,)
ALL
WE'LL HIT THE ROOF IF YOU DON'T MOVE
BEFORE THE CAPTAIN HEARS YOU.
AT SEA ONE DAY
WE'LL SMELL SOME LAND
WHERE LAND THERE MAY NOT BE AHOY!
AT SEA ONE DAY, AT SEA ONE DAY, HOY!
Applause, as snow fall scatters
everyone to other duties and
CAROLERS sing two lines of "Good
King Wenceslas," off. Sailors
assemble. A medium scale evocation
of the Pequod rolls on stage and
becomes alive with high activity.
13. Building America
STUBB
Welcome aboard, lads. Excited?
ISHMAEL
Scared to death.
STUBB
Well, just follow me, boys. Old sailors never
die, they just smell that way. Besides, we're
farming the ocean, lad. And do you know what
we're building?
ISHMAEL
I don't, sir, indeed I don't.
STUBB
WE'RE BUILDING AMERICA
ACCRUING OIL TO LIGHT THE LAMPS OF A DARKENED WORLD
STUBB, FLASK
AND WE WILL HAND REEF AND STEER
OCEAN FRONTIER
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
48.
STUBB, FLASK (cont’d)
BLUNDER BORN DISCOVERERS AND MARINERS TAKE CHEER!
STUBB, FLASK, DAGOO
ROLL ON THOU DEEP AND DARK BLUE OCEAN, ROLL ON
SAIL ON, OH UNION STRONG, SAIL ON AFTER PERIL'S GATE
STUBB, FLASK, DAGOO, STARBUCK
BROTHERS OF FATE
GREAT OCEAN STATE
DEEP ENCHANTED LABYRINTHS OF TREASURE TROVES
AND CORAL COVES AWAIT!
CREW
HAUL IT UP, HAUL IT UP
KNOCK THE ICE FROM THE PROW
WIVES
FAREWELL BOYS FAREWELL
CREW
RAISE THE SAIL, SPIN THE WHEEL
LIGHT TRIPODS NOW!
WIVES
HOPE YOU FAVOUR WELL
CREW
EVERY HAND ON THE DECK
EVERY EYE ON THE DAY
WIVES
WITH YOUR MODERN FISHERY
CREW
WITH A CATCH IN THE NECK WE'RE UNDER WAY!
WIVES
BRING US BACK NEW CORSETRY!
We celebrate what the whale
yields, either with school slides
or using the same items made from
the whale, to add to the skeleton
of Pequod and make it whole. Here
is an interesting list of those
things NOT mentioned in the song;
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
49.
lamps,(domestic, street,
shop,)springs in first
typewriters, lipstick, detergents,
nitroglycerine for bombs, brushes,
brooms, linoleum, medical trusses,
oil cloth, drum skins, sword
hilts, scabbards, tennis racket
strings, riding crops, buttons,
tanning leather, wax crayons, golf
bags, varnishes, fertilizer, skin
cream, stock cubes, cattle fencing
mah jong counters, insulin, fish
bait, cattle meal, dog and cat
food, cooking fat, hair
treatments, shortening, bath
essence, ear rings , brooches,
cuff links, cigarette holders,
shoe horns, car wax, fishing rods,
machine oil, shoe polish,
ALL
WE'RE BUILDING AMERICA
WITH NO-HOLDS-BARRED WE'RE WAGING WAR ON THE WORLD'S BACK
YARD
AS WE REPLENISH OUR STOCKS THE FREE WHALE UNLOCKS
MARGARINE, AND GLYCERIN, WITH CANDLE, SOAPS, AND CROPS
IT GIVES US SPRINGS, AND BUSKS AND FINE BODICES
IT GIVES US SAUSAGE SKINS, AND CHESSMEN, AND SHOE LACES.
IT GIVES US SURGICAL STITCH, VITAMINS RICH,
ANTI FREEZE AND PIANO KEYS AND REMEDIES
FOR STIFFENED BONES THAT SEIZE.
ISHMAEL speaks over a sotto voce
version of above.
ISHMAEL
While unaware of the terrors out at sea,
one of the greatest Christmas gifts I ever
received was to hear Mr. Starbuck's first
command!
STARBUCK
AVAST, YE SONS OF BACHELORS, ALL ASTIR
STUBB
ALL ASTIR!
ALL
SIR!
STARBUCK
DRIVE 'EM AFT AND MUSTER THEM
STUBB
SPRING SHEEP HEAD! JUMP SAILOR!
ALL
YEAH!
STARBUCK
SAY YOU'RE LAST AND LUCK TO YE
CLIMB YE MONKEYS AND LET SAIL OUT
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
50.
PIP
SAIL OUT!
STUBB
PULL IN THE GANGPLANK, CAST OFF THE MOORINGS
AND GIVE OUT A HEARTY SHOUT!
STARBUCK AND FLASK
FAREWELL LOVED ONES THINK OF ME ALWAYS
I WILL YOU
DON'T FORSAKE ME, I WILL RETURN
FROM THE BLUE
STARBUCK and his wife, MARY, say
their farewells.
STARBUCK & MARY
GOD KEEP YOU UNDER HIS HOLY PROTECTION
STARBUCK
NOW I MUST LOVE YOU AND LEAVE YOU
LOOKS LIKE THE MOMENT HAS COME
FLASK
HAS COME!
STUBB
HIP HIP!
ALL
HUZZAH!
STARBUCK
HIP HIP!
ALL
HUZZAH!
STARBUCK & STUBB
HIP HIP!
ALL
HUZZAH!
WE'RE BUILDING BRAND NEW EMPIRE
ACCRUING OIL TO LIGHT THE LAMPS OF A DARKENED WORLD!
AND IN OUR WINDOWS WE'LL YEARN FOR HEROES RETURN
EVERY STAR AND STRIPE AS RIPE AS ANY FLAG UNFURLED!
ELIJAH dashes from one person to
another with his prophecy of doom.
ELIJAH
AT SEA ONE DAY…
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
51.
ALL
PEQUOD WITH SAILS THAT TOUCH THE SKY
ELIJAH
YOU'LL SMELL SOME LAND…
ALL
PEQUOD YOU CAUGHT MY WANDERING EYE
ELIJAH
WHERE LAND THERE MAY NOT BE AT HAND!
ALL
ROLL ON THOU DEEP AND DARK BLUE OCEAN- ROLLS ON!
AS SHIP AND SHORE DIVERGE WE PLUNGE BLINDLY ON
WITH FATE INTO THE GREAT ATLANTIC-WE'RE GONE!
AHAB shakes a fist at the sea as
the man size model of the PEQUOD
rolls off stage.
AHAB
Moby Dick, I'm coming!
PIP crosses forestage pulling
miniature replica of "Pequod", (a
la 'Gulliver's Travels,") on
undulating wheels, then, followed
by PLACARD GIRL announcing: 'Gone
Fishing'.
END OF ACT ONE.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
52.
ACT TWO
As the intermission draws to a
close, with home made jams and
cakes sold (allergy warning on ice
cream pots; "Made from a farm that
handles nuts!" the LOWER FOURTH
make their way up the aisles
ringing hand bells and carrying
buckets of fake notes that read:
'Save St. Godley's!' Do NOT
attempt to solicit money from the
audience, it makes them
uncomfortable. If you are using
the show to raise funds for your
own cause, the money should be
raised through the price of
tickets or concession ideas and
the amount announced (without
cast) at the conclusion of the
show. Keep the show on the stage.
LIGHTS DIM as the late violin
playing ORCHESTRA LEADER, (unknown
to her, a stretch of hard paper
toilet roll emanating from her
visible knickers,) rides her bike
before the front row and hands it
over into the pit, (colliding with
brass section and drum kit,)
before she clambers onto the
CONDUCTOR'S podium to raise her
(lit "up" bulb on the end of her
baton,) to kick start a necklace
of Merry England toned reprises. A
SPOTLIGHT finds HEAD GIRL of the
SCIENCE LAB. who walks before the
scrim.
HEAD GIRL OF SCIENCE DEPT.
Before we continue our creatures of the deep,
the science department would like to present to
you a brand new phenomena; Live Three D! Place
the special goggles you have on your nose and
sit back as you experience the school girl
fantasies of Heroine addiction within the gay
Arcady which is girlhood!
14. Living shadows.
Behind the scrim, a line up of
physically mature SENIORS perform
HEALTH AND SAFETY EXERCISE.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
53.
They run UPSTAGE towards, (and
over,) a single RED AND GREEN SPOT
(placed side by side,) which are
both directed upstage onto the
back of the SCRIM, facing the
audience. This creates a necklace
of mischievous living shadows to a
parody of the KEEL ROW. JUNIOR
GIRLS then substitute them by
placing their backs to the scrim,
to throw a MULTIPLICITY of balls,
paper darts and confectionery, etc
(from cloth bags at their feet,)
beyond the two lights again, as
the music of the DAM BUSTERS is
parodied. Finally, the LOWER
FOURTH wear kilts and stag antlers
to perform a ludicrous Morris
dance,( with sticks,) to highland
fling music! PLACARD GIRL enters
announcing "THIS IS A STICK UP!"
This little 3D show is very short
and it's all about how much the
audience are getting out of it.
Once you come to the stag dance,
you can rest assured they got the
idea and you can move swiftly on
to the drama.
SCIENCE DEPT.
You can put your glasses away now everybody.
Well, what do you expect with this government?
On with culture!
DRAMATIC MUSIC Q. BLEED THROUGH
SCRIM to reveal deck of the
Pequod. See Act Two set for G &
S's H.M.S.PINAFORE.
SCENE 11 - ON DECK. NORTH POLE.
The LOWER FOURTH are dressed in
mandatory school swim wear,
(beneath sow 'esters and oil
coats.) The PREFECTS are in
fashionable Esther William range
swim wear, hidden, (in this first
scene,) beneath a variety of fur
coats. The JUNIORS are discovered
skating, (on heeleys I.E; shoes
with wheels,) across the iced over
LAKE (i.e.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
54.
the sea,) throwing snowballs,
fishing through ice holes, and
building a Polar Bear snowman. The
PREFECTS warm hands round a
brazier as one very objectionable
LITTLE GIRL circles the PEQUOD,
(centre stage,) in a wooden
motorboat fashioned from a large
pedal car.
15. Mr. Starbuck.
ALL
FOR CREW OF VOODOO CAPTAIN LIFE CAN BE CRUEL
WE NEVER SEE HIM AND HE TREATS US LIKE MULE
ALL DAY AND NIGHT WE HEAR HIM SCUFFING ABOUT
OUR VOODOO CAPTAIN NEEDS A WOMAN NO DOUBT.
A small school "DINNER" gong
sounds as AHAB surfaces, gaunt and
fearsome, (in fish scale cloak and
frozen snow-king hair,) from
months alone in his cabin. He has
to get adjusted to the light and
for a moment is blind.
AHAB
MR. STARBUCK?
STARBUCK comes to his aid.
STARBUCK
SIR?!
AHAB
CALL ALL MEN DOWN!
STARBUCK
MAST HEADERS DOWN!
PIP runs to AHAB.
STUBB/STARBUCK
MAST HEADERS DOWN!
AHAB
PIP, IT'S TIME TO SIP A NIP OF HOT BEEF TEA
PIP runs off for the TEA.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
IT'S A FEELING HOMESICK REMEDY.
Cheer.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
55.
ALL
Hurrah!
ISHMAEL
THE SMALL AVAILABLE JOYS OF HOT BEEF TEA!
PIP runs in with a school tea pot.
AHAB pours tots of tea personally.
AHAB
WHAT D'YA DO WHEN IT'S YOU SEES A WHALE LAD?
PIP
SING FOR IT?
ALL
AYE, SING FOR IT.
AHAB
Exemplary, Pip! Right, men?
AHAB fills upturned spear head for
DAGOO next, then FLASK.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
BUT WHAT IS THE TUNE THAT YOU PULL AND YOU ROAR TO?
FLASK mimes twisting neck.
FLASK
THE 'DEAD WHALE!'
DAGOO mimes pulling oars.
DAGOO
OR 'THE HEAVE SONG!'
AHAB
FULL MARKS.
AHAB gives ISHMAEL tea which
ISHMAEL inadvertently spits out
over AHAB.
ISHMAEL
SORRY CAP'N. I GUESS, YOU EITHER LOVE BEEF TEA OR HATE IT.
PIP takes over the tea
distribution as AHAB takes ISHMAEL
by the ear.
AHAB
SO TELL ME FIRST TIMER WHEN YOU DO SPOT A TAIL
PRAY THE PREY'S A 'GREY' ONE.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
56.
ISHMAEL
Whales are black aren't they, sir? But yours is
white, right?
AHAB
Right.
Steps away from ISHMAEL addressing
the audience down centre.
AHAB (cont’d)
AS BIG AS A MOUNTAIN OF SNOW WITH GILLS
AS SCARRED AS JERUSALEM'S HILLS!
AHAB holds up a sports shield
,glitter ball effect.
AHAB (cont’d)
AND SEE THIS GOLD DOUBLOON?
IT'S GOOD AS YOURS AS SOON
AS SOMEONE SEARCHES OUT THOSE JAWS
'WHITE ONE'S' MARK YE, THEN IT'S YOURS!
AHAB pushes past the converging
whalers and pretends to hammer the
velcrosed, 'shield' to the mast.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
A SPANISH OUNCE FOR HE WHO'LL POUNCE AND NAIL
Three hammer blows with the music bang, bang, bang! Glitter ball
effect stops.
ALL
NAIL THE ROGUE WHITE WHALE!
The CREW cheers and crowd in on
the "doubloon."
FLASK
OO LA LA! A YEAR'S WAGES TO MOST.
The experienced HEATHER HARPOONERS
boast they may have seen this
rogue whale.
TASHTEGO
CAPTAIN AHAB, THAT WHALE'S SICK, THE ONE SOME CALL 'MOBY
DICK'?
AHAB
YES HE'S TOP OF THE PROSPECTUS, MEN.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
57.
FLASK
DOES HE FANTAIL A LITTLE ODD?
DAGOO
AND IS IT A SHOCK OF WHEAT HE SPOUTS?
AHAB
Yes, and he's unaccountably thick. You've seen
him then? They've seen that white brimful of
mischief, Starbuck. He! He! He!
AHAB laughs maniacally but
realizes that STARBUCK is not by
his side, but standing away from
the rest, looking miserable.
STARBUCK dares to challenge AHAB.
STARBUCK
Captain Ahab; was it not Moby Dick who broke
thy heart?
Sharp intake of breaths.
AHAB
Who told you that?
AHAB addresses all his crew.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
Yes, it was he who razored and dismasted me
before the gaze of America, but now, my
dander's up!
STUBB intervenes between STARBUCK
and AHAB.
STUBB
AND THIS IS WHAT YOU'VE SHIPPED FOR MEN
TO SAIL THROUGH HELL AND BACK AGAIN
TO FIND THE FIEND AND TIRE HIM OUT
TILL HE SPOUTS BLACK BLOOD AND ROLLS FIN OUT!
ALL!
A GREAT REWARD FOR THOSE WHO GOURD THAT DICK
ON A HARPOON STICK!
AHAB escapes STARBUCK's obvious
disapproval by frightening the now
"fevered" CREW by involving them
in a devilish ritual.
AHAB
HARPOONERS!
THE HEATHENS STEP FORWARD
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
58.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
CROSS YOUR LANCES!
With their harpoons, the
HARPOONERS form a wigwam shape
above AHAB's head. AHAB grabs the
point at which the harpoons cross
and begins to tremble as if
possessed. ISHMAEL sneaks back up
to the crow's nest. The rest of
the CREW look on in stylized
terror.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
NOW, LET ME TOUCH THE AXIS!
AHAB feigns power, filling him
from the ritual as the LITTLE
GIRLS circle him as if clamped by
an Alien message married to a
wicker dance. PIP skips,
terrified, round the ceremony with
his ribboned tambourine. The
JUNIORS drop to their knees and
bow to AHAB like Red Indians
might. First half is intense,
accelerating into a zombie like
frenzy!
ALL
CAN YOU FEEL IT? AHAB'S SPIRIT
CAN YOU FEEL IT FILL THE AIR?
CAN YOU FEEL THE BOLT ELECTRIC?
PLEDGE FOREVER, DRINK AND SWEAR!
COMMEND THE MURDEROUS CHALICE TO MY BREATH
PIP raises a refreshment hut green
cup and saucer to AHAB's lips.
AHAB stretches his hands over the
whalers
AHAB (CONT'D)
AND GOD HELP US IF WE CANNOT HUNT MOBY DICK!
ALL
MOBY DICK
AHAB
TO HIS DEATH!
The HEATHENS stomp their harpoons
with each pledge
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
59.
ALL
DEATH TO MOBY DICK!
DEATH TO MOBY DICK!
DEATH TO MOBY DICK!
ISHMAEL, in the crow's nest, has
becoming hysterical as he spots
his first whale.
ISHMAEL
THAR SHE BLOWS!
AHAB
A white one?
ISHMAEL
No Captain, black as knickers.
STARBUCK
Where?
ISHMAEL
Starboard bow Mr. Starbuck.
STARBUCK
How many?
ISHMAEL
Two! No! No, four of them! Six, seven of them!
There are three dozen of them, sir! Look, look,
look Captain Ahab, a hundred! Can't anyone see?
QUEEQUEG
No, we look at you!
STARBUCK attempts to be friendly
with AHAB.
STARBUCK
Another time, Captain Ahab, Dick isn't here!
AHAB
No, Mr. Starbuck, but I'll be needing him
before long. For I've got bigger fish to fry a fish with balls! For now-, the ship is yours.
As AHAB goes below. CREW emit an
old fashioned Red Indian cry,
patting palms against mouth, and
wearing Indian stuff.
(CREW)
Wow, wow, wow, wow!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
60.
STARBUCK
Aye, Aye, Captain, lower the boats Mr. Stubb!
SCENE 12 -WHALE HUNT
16. Heave Away
LITTLE GIRLS bring a school racing
boat on (the sort of thing Oxford
and Cambridge race in,) held high
above their heads. The PREFECTS
sit in it and use lacrosse sticks
to row. QUEEQUEG stands in the
rear with his harpoon and regatta
flags on rope. The PREFECTS mime a
"peck"-and- "abs"-straining whale
chase becoming almost self
conscious, and "pouting to
audience",(as if glamorous
models,) while the stubby, hero
worshipping SCIENCE DEP. make
their luscious hair rise, as they
point WIND MACHINES at them. As
with all these songs, let it run
away with you, and it won't mean a
thing. Do it so you can hear
EVERYTHING and it will appear to
be to be as fast as you think it
should be! In fact, an incredibly
intelligent LITTLE GIRL will beat
a water topped OIL DRUM, (with
whale bones,) to ensure the
correct tempo! Slower than you
think!!!
STUBB, STARBUCK (AND CREW)
BOATS DOWN (LOWER BOATS) INTO THE WATER
JUMP MEN (GRAB YOUR OARS) HEAVE AWAY (HEY!)
CHASE THEM (CUT THEIR THROATS) START THE SLAUGHTER
RACE THEM (WITHOUT PAUSE) ALL THE DAY (HEY!)
STAND BY (HARPOONER) AIM STEADY
QUEEQUEG!
QUEEQUEG
READY!
STUBB, STARBUCK & CREW
SPEAR HIS SIDE!
QUEEQUEG emits TARZAN- cry.
QUEEQUEG
Ahahahahahaha!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
61.
As QUEEQUEG pretends to throw his
HARPOON, (which ANOTHER LITTLE
GIRL, behind him, makes
disappear,)he actually throws a
weighted regatta flag rope
instead, which,( caught OFF
STAGE,) is pulled tight to give
the effect of QUEEQUEG, (as he
leans back,) WATER SKIING behind a
MOTORBOAT.
STUBB, STARBUCK & CREW
HOLD ON [TO THE WHALE] TILL WE TIRE HIM
ON OUR [NANTUCKET] SLEIGH RIDE!
MOBY DICK IS OUT THERE, HEAVE AWAY
(WHOAH-OH-OH)
BIG AND QUICK AND SOMEWHERE ON HIS WAY
MOBY DICK IS CUNNING, THAT'S A BET
(WHOAH-OH-OH)
YES THAT DICK IS DANGEROUS WHEN HE'S WET!
TRAWL THE [BUTCHERED HAUL] BACK TO THE PEQUOD
TELL THE [DECK HANDS] HANG HIM HIGH! (HEY)
To evoke the butchery, chopping
up, and boiling down of the whale
into oil, the SCHOOL depicts all
this symbolically. They hang a
HORRIBLE GIRL, (a replica of
course,) while another NASTY GIRL
is beheaded.
STUBB/STARBUCK & CO
CHOP THE [BLUBBER UP) AND TAKE THE JELL-O
A fake FIRE is lit to boil a
STOCKY GIRL, (with a sensible,
cheery face,) in a cannibal pot,
(happily using a loofer as if its
bath time!)
STUBB/STARBUCK & CO (CONT'D)
(cont’d)
BOIL IT [IN A POT) FIT TO FRY!
Other greedy LITTLE GIRLS,(with
Chef hats on,) pour "whale oil"
,from a kitsch bottle, into a
frying pans to sizzle sausages.
STUBB/STARBUCK & CO (CONT'D)
(cont’d)
MOBY DICK IS OUT THERE, HEAVE AWAY
(WHOAH-OH-OH)
BIG AND QUICK AND SOMEWHERE ON HIS WAY
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
62.
MOBY DICK'S ABOUT THERE, THAT'S A BET
(WHOAH-OH-OH)
YES THAT DICK IS DANGEROUS WHEN HE'S WET!
WHEN HE'S WET!
The devilish LOWER FOURTH conspire
over sausages.
LOWER FOURTH
GONNA GET HIM GONNA GET HIM!
TAKE A CROQUET MALLET TO HIM!
BRING TO ORDER MISTER ORCA
AND WIN THE GOLD!
CATAPULTERS, BOOBY TRAPPERS
DO YOUR WORSE WITH KNUCKLE DUSTERS
BRING YOUR HOPPOS AND THEIR PILLOWS
KNOCK HIM OUT COLD!
The original novel of MOBY DICK is
extremely surreal and here is a
moment you shouldn't be frightened
of being the same. The LOWER
FOURTH indulge in a pillow fight,
(throwing handfuls of loose
FEATHERS as they go,) then they
curl on the floor on either side
of a makeshift cat walk, as
JUNIORS sit ,with straight backs,
on tiny barrels behind them,
applauding the glamorous PREFECTS,
who model a range of furs, ripping
velcrosed strips to drop blood red
aprons.
ALL
MOBY DICK IS OUT THERE, HEAVE AWAY
(WHOAH-OH-OH)
BIG AND QUICK AND SOMEWHERE ON HIS WAY
MOBY DICK IS CUNNING, THAT'S A BET
(WHOAH-OH-OH)
MOBY DICK IS DANGEROUS WHEN HE'S WET!
GONNA GET HIM, GONNA GET HIM,
CHASE AND NET HIM, GONNA GET HIM YET!
A slide becomes blood filled (see,
DON'T LOOK NOW movie) as red pen
ink is flicked onto it.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
63.
Another TABLEAU of historical
catastrophes evolves as LITTLE
GIRLS fire harmless Styrofoam
arrows, using real bows, across
the back drop, in one rainbow
effect, as STARBUCK fakes an arrow
in her eye, while our usual
PLACARD GIRL, dressed as WILLIAM
THE CONQUEROR, (with a string of
onions around her neck,) crosses
the stage with a placard
announcing; "The Battle of
Hasting."
BLACKOUT.
SCENE 12 - ON DECK
The LOWER FOURTH GIRLS are
exhausted but can't sleep.
SENSIBLE malingers round book
shelves.
SENSIBLE GIRL
Well, which books would you like to read;
"REINFORCED CONCRETE SIMPLY EXPLAINED,"
"ELEMENTARY HYPERBOLICS," "HARRY'S RASH WISH,"
"THE DANGERS OF CRUISING," ""WHAT TO DO WHEN
ITS CATCHING," "LEATHERS OF THE MOZAMBIQUE,"
"TRUE MEN AS WE NEED THEM,""GREAT BANGS OF THE
21st CENTURY, a study in Terrorism." "HOW TO
SPOT LEPROSY"?
TIMID GIRL
We're not supposed to read in bed.
WISE GIRL
Well, we must keep heart and mind in busy
service somehow.
WILLFUL GIRL
Come on, Pip, give us a dance and remind us of
the ladies back on the village green.
ALL
Aye!
A small hamper offers ginger pop,
sardines on rich cake, fruit,
jellies.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
64.
17. Deck Dance.
PIP
ON THE PEQUOD, SLEEPLESS AND BORED
ALL
WE KNOW A CABIN BOY WHO DANCES ABROAD.
PIP
MESSMATES AHOY, THE MOON IS BEGGING A JIG
ALL
SO DO YOUR DECK DANCE, DO IT JOLLY AND BIG.
PIP drapes a tennis net round him,
wears a pineapple hat, a coconut
bra, and hokes up a Carmen Miranda
moment to a love hungry CREW.
PIP
YES, HARD ON THE DAY,
ALL
A SHIP'S CABARET
Cheer.
PIP
YOU LOOK LIKE SHIP WRECKS, SO IT'S TIME TO PLAY
ALL
LET'S CLEAR THE DECKS
PIP
THE CAT'S AWAY! WITH NO PREFECTS.
PIP (cont’d)
JUSTHIGH SEAS
LADIES;
WHO TEASE AND SQUEEZE AND PLEASE.
THESE HIPS, THESE LIPS
THIS TREASURE CHEST OF PIP'S
WILL WIN YOUR VOTE
ALL
FLOAT OUR BOAT!
PIP
ON THE PEQUOD, RED SKY AT NIGHT
ALL
CROSSING EQUATOR IS A BALMY DELIGHT.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
65.
PIP
MESSMATE AHOY THE MOON IS BEGGING ROMANCE
ALL
SO FIND A PARTNER AND BE IN WITH A CHANCE.
PIP
THE BREEZE IN THE AIR
ALL
IS ALL WE CAN BEAR
PIP
WE ENTER FREELY INTO FANTASY
ALL
NO WANNABE
PIP
WE'RE ALL AT SEA
ALL
THE ENEMY-REALITY!
ALL (cont’d)
HIGH SEAS
LADIES;
WHO TEASE AND SQUEEZE AND PLEASE.
THESE HIPS, THESE LIPS
THIS TREASURE CHEST OF PIP'S
JUST HYPNOTISE.
PIP
WELL, BLESS MY EYES!
CONCERTINA LED GIDDY DANCE.
ALL
ON A LONG HAUL - TIME IS NO BALL
AND CABIN CRAZY YOU CAN CRAWL UP THE WALL
FROM SNOW TO TROPIC CAN BE BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH!
YOU MUST GO OVERBOARD AND RESCUE YOURSELF!
PIP
LET NO BED BUGS BITE
ALL
WE WON'T SLEEP TONIGHT
NANTUCKET WHALERS, ITS BLACK AND WHITE,
A KISS, A FIGHT, WHATEVER GETS YOU THROUGH THE NIGHT!
DECK DANCE, ROMANCE,
A CRUSH, A RUSH A TRANCE
SEA DOGS ARE WE, TRUE FLYING FISH AND FEELING FREE!
FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
66.
PIP is raised above heads.
PIP
That's me!
After applause, AHAB surfaces, and
the LOWER FOURTH creep away
abandoning PIP to get under his
Captain's feet. A Captain who now
fears fondness for his cabin boy
might under mind his hatred of the
white whale.
AHAB
Any bones broken?
PIP
No, but Ishmael fell into a blowhole and
Queequeg had to dive in and rescue him. Flask
has made a kill and Dagoo got four! Tashtego
got three. Oh Master, there's oil to light a
hundred lamps of America.
AHAB takes PIP aside. He doesn't
want to say the next words.
AHAB
Boy, you must not speak to me again.
PIP is devastated.
PIP
Why not Cap'n?
AHAB has to place PIP on a higher
level, on his eye line.
AHAB
Pip, there is that in thee which I feel too
curing for my malady, and for this hunt my
malady becomes my most desired health. You must
sleep on deck from now on.
PIP jumps down and hugs AHAB'S
stump, tearful.
PIP
But master... the sharks, the sharks!
AHAB raises a hand to PIP.
AHAB
Weep so and I will murder thee!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
67.
PIP freezes in submission.
AHAB (cont’d)
Have a care foolish Pip, for Ahab too is mad!
He places a shaky hand on PIP'S
shoulder.
AHAB (cont’d)
God bless thee, and if it comes to that - God
forever save thee; let what will, befall.
AHAB tries to make light of it.
AHAB (cont’d)
See, you can lie in that nest of rigging.
AHAB abandons PIP for his cabin.
18. Vulnerable.
PIP
A MYSTERY HE
WALKED OVER ME
I SIT WITHIN HIS AIR
WITH VACANT STARE
AND ALL AT SEA
AN OCEAN OF DESPAIR!
HIS LONG LOST LEG
WAS ME, I BEG,
BUT WITH NO IVORY FRIEND
I'M WAITING AT WORLD'S END
FOR WHALE TO SHOW AND NO HERO
HIS ONLY BRETHREN WILL BE GONE IN ONE SWALLOW.
Looks around for AHAB.
PIP (cont’d)
I'LL WAIT FOR HIS CALL
AND WARMING SHAWL.
I'VE NEVER SLEPT ALONE
TO MOAN AND GROAN;
A PIECE OF BARK
DROPPED OFF THE ARK.
SO VULNERABLE!
SO VULNERABLE!
NO FOOT ON THE TABLE
NO LONGER HIS MASCOT
I'M SO
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
68.
The earnest members of the SCHOOL
ORCHESTRA make a vocal
contribution here, as if, (with
cellos between their legs, and
violins on fire, from passion,)
they are spontaneously expressing
their own adolescent angst, as a
Stag might suddenly cry out for a
mate. Seriously!
WITH BAND
VULNERABLE!
SO- VULNERABLE!
PIP
I'M LOST AND UNSTABLE
I'LL THROW IN MY LOT
WITH BAND
I'M SO VULNERABLE!
SO- VULNERABLE!
PIP
BUT HERE I'M CAST
BEFORE EACH MAST
IN JAIL
MY JAILER THE VIEW
OF BOTTOMLESS BLUE
A SMILE, THE PAST.
MY DANCING THROUGH.
SO- VULNERABLE
SO- VULNERABLE!
MUSIC Q. LIGHTS UP on LOWER FOURTH
who lie around frothing at the
mouth, stunned by a relentless,
pounding sun,(with coloured stickon red spots covering each face.)
The limp acting JUNIORS, attempt
to inhabit duties,( tiny hand
mirrors in their palms, reflect
flashes of light at the audience.)
The PREFECTS, however, lie on sun
beds, replete with sunglasses,
acquiring a sun tan. A future ZOO
KEEPER mimes being an iguana and
an egg fries on the banister. But
in the centre of the stage, our
main focus is QUEEQUEG, who sits
cross legged, throwing knuckles of
BONES (invisibly strung together
so as not to lose them,) which he
then reads as portents of the
future.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
69.
19. Bones/Storm
ISHMAEL
WARM CLIMES NURSE CRUEL FANGS AND A TYPHOON MIGHT BURST FROM
THIS CLOUDLESS SKY AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT.
BUT SAILOR'S TALES SAY WINDLESS SAILS ARE ACCURSED
AS CREWMEN FRY AND ALL MINDS TWIST IN TORMENT!
QUEEQUEG
BONES TELL QUEEQUEG NO ONE WIN
TELL CARPENTER CARVE COFFIN
PUT ME AND HARPOON WITHIN;
ALL THIS I READ IN BONES!
SHIP CURSED BY RELENTLESS DROUGHT
NO WIND TO HELP SAIL SWELL OUT
WE DIE LIKE A FLAPPING TROUT!
CREW
ALL THIS HE FEELS IN HIS BONES!
FLASK rises, pausing in the act of
sharpening his pencil. A roll of
summer thunder cues the sail to
start to flap, then a porthole
window flap, and the cabin door,
black waves jockey for height,
creating the FX of an increasingly
turbulent sea.
FLASK
What do you say, mes amis? The ship is
cursed…we should throw the sea a sacrifice to
break the spell and I think it should be the
weakest, Pip!
FLASK circles the ailing PIP,
menacingly, with his pencil, as he
lies, defenseless, baking in his
rigging basket but ISHMAEL, in a
wild fury, grabs FLASK from
behind.
ISHMAEL
Maybe it should be you Flask!?
Suddenly STARBUCK breaks the fight
up by firing a musket in the air.
STARBUCK (CONT'D)
Oh, to work with such a heathen crew! Great
God, for one instance - show thyself!
On cue, AHAB appears.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
70.
AHAB
Baton down the hatches, men, it's a storm!
21. Storm.
The sudden STORM is a great relief
for the increasingly pent up LOWER
FOURTH as PREFECTS man the thunder
sheet and wind machines!
AHAB (cont’d)
BLOW ILL WIND BLOW
WITH YOUR TEMPER SO FRIGHTENING
AHAB orders the JUNIORS to hand
him the lightening rods which
attracts bolts of lightening to
strike him alone.
AHAB (cont’d)
AND THROW, GREAT GODS, THROW
EVERY BRIGHT BOLT OF LIGHTENING
AND LIGHTING THESE RODS TO GLOW!
The storm erupts! MR. STUBBS'S
ships wheel, (on castors,) rolls,
(guided by him,) from left to
right, then from right to far
left, (and repeated,) whilst the
mock- staggering CREW mirror it
and the cloth waves rise higher.
AHAB AND ALL
MASTER (MASTER)
COMMANDER (COMMANDER)
DO NOT, SIR,(SURRENDER)
BUT KEEP DAVY JONES AND HIS LOCKER AT BAY.
SO STRIKE ME (WHILE WE FLEE)
ATTACK ME! (TO SAFETY)
JUST WATCH ME DEFEND YE!
AND HALT EVERY BOLT AND ASSAULT NIGHT AND DAY!
At the same time, the lifeless
PIP, on his nest of rope, (also on
castors,) is pulled off, (by a
hidden rope,) but in the first
stagger right, PIP disappears
offstage, while the nest of rope
returns, conspicuously empty! PIP
has slipped overboard, unnoticed!
Before the STORM subsides, coaster
lights rush down the lightening
'rods', which, in turn, cue two
flash pots to explode.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
71.
During the flashes, a strange
light illuminates the mast like a
strip of green neon. The HEATHENS
drop to their knees cowering at
what they see as a bad sign. The
LOWER FOURTH, recover from much
puffing and mysterious panting.
The PREFECTS stand behind
STARBUCK.
DAGOO
Mr. Stubb, look aloft! Lightening has struck
the middle mast!
QUEEQUEG
'St Elmo's fire'! It's an evil omen!
STARBUCK
Turn back old man, the heavens are against
thee.
AHAB
All your oaths to hunt the white whale are as
binding as mine, look you, thus I shall blow
out this flame.
AHAB blows at the glowing mast,
(as a LITTLE GIRL maneuvers a wind
machine behind him,) St. Elmo's
fire pulsates and slowly fades
out.
AHAB (CONT’D) (cont’d)
See. I still run this ship!
AHAB pats the "doubloon!"
Glitterball erupts then goes.
AHAB
Remember the gold, men!
STUBB
Aye, aye, Captain.
ISHMAEL
Man overboard!
All look up, then, out to sea,
(hands cupped over eye!)MUSIC Q.
STARBUCK
Man overboard!
AHAB
Who is it?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
72.
ISHMAEL
It looks like… Pip.
AHAB
Pip?
They dash to boats right side.
QUEEQUEG
The sharks!
FLASK grabs a Chinese umbrella to
chase off sharks as CREW rail.
CREW
Hiiiiiii!!
STARBUCK
This will drive the poor boy mad.
ISHMAEL
They've got him!
EVERYONE runs to left side of the
boat as the SCIENCE LAB set up
field camp centre stage and DAGOO
and TASHTEGO arrive with frozen
PIP on a stretcher.
DAGOO
Make way, make way!
HEAD OF SCIENCE DEPT.
He has fever.
TASHTEGO
The freezing water has sent him into shock.
AHAB is genuinely alarmed at PIP'S
condition.
AHAB
Would he have died or I...
HEAD OF SCIENCE DEPT.
He's not making any sense Captain.
AHAB
What does he say with that look of his?
PIP
"I look, you look, he looks, we look, ye look,
they look."
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
73.
HEAD OF SCIENCE DEPT.
Upon my soul, he's been studying your copy of
'Murray's Grammar', sir ! Improving his mind as
you asked.
PIP
"I look, you look," Where do I look now?
PIP has gone mad and AHAB, hands clasped over
his ears, moves away.
STUBB
Pip's spirit has sunk so deep, no grapples or
hooks can ever fetch it back.
Now PIP hears the angels calling
him out front.
PIP (CONT'D)
Hush!
PIP reaches up to the skies.
PIP (CONT'D) (CONT’D) (cont’d)
Listen... God goes among the worlds-black
berrying. I'll help, sir…
PIP strains upwards to the heavens
then, as if a broken marionette,
his strings snap and dies in
FLASK'S arms. A muffled snare drum
is played. EVERYONE gathers round
PIP, creating another tableaux of
historical catastrophes; PLACARD
GIRL (wearing a black arm band,)
but dressed as NAPOLEON, crosses
announcing; "The death of Nelson."
The CREW glare at AHAB, aided by
STUBB, who scuffs, like a Zombie,
into his cabin. The SCHOOL weeps
while preparing for the burial at
sea.(They stitch PIP into a
hammock, slide him to the ocean.)
22. Vulnerable. (Reprise)
LOWER FOURTH
A STORM AT SEA
LOST ALL THAT WE
HELD DEAR EACH PASSING YEAR.
A GREAT CAREER.
THE DECK WILL BE
A SADDER PLACE TO BE.
PEACE TAKE HIS HAND
ON SHIFTING SAND
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
74.
LOWER FOURTH (cont’d)
TO SHAKE HIS DREAMLAND TREE
WHERE HE'LL BE FREE
BACK IN THE SWIM.
REMEMBER HIM!
SO VULNERABLE!
SO VULNERABLE!
SLOW FADE in candlelight LIGHTS UP
on PLACARD GIRL, (parades sign
which reads; "STAFF EVENING".)
AHAB opens door to greet STARBUCK.
STARBUCK enters, accepts drink and
canapé. Other PREFECTS wear
prefect jackets too.
SCENE 13 - AHAB'S CABIN
21. Can't Keep Out the Night
AHAB
Ah, Mister Starbuck, I have been meaning to ask
you;
SOMETHING HAS GONE OUT OF YOUR SUN,
THE FUN AND MAGIC HAS GONE AWAY
WHAT IS THIS SERIOUS FACE
ARE YOU NOT GAME FOR THE CHASE…PLEASE SAY?
STARBUCK
I CAME HERE TO HARVEST WHALES
NOT MY MASTER'S VENGEANCE
TO CHART AND BLAZE NEW BUSINESS TRAILS
NOT ACT AS SATAN'S AGENT!
AHAB
If money is the be-all and end-all, this planet
of ours belongs to bookkeepers! And the stars
are only there to be counted and banked!
The conversation hardens.
STARBUCK
Vengeance on a dumb brute that simply smote
thee from blind instinct? Madness! To be
enraged with a dumb thing seems blasphemous!
In time with music; apoplectic.
AHAB
Don't talk to me of blasphemy! I'd strike the
sun if it insulted me! And of our 'business'
let's be clear; vengeance will fetch great
premium here!
He points to his heart on the word
premium.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
75.
AHAB (CONT'D) (CONT’D) (cont’d)
There is one God that is Lord over the earth,
and one captain that is Lord of the Pequod.
A very sophisticated response from
HEAD GIRL, STARBUCK.
STARBUCK
Thou hast outraged, not insulted me, Sir. But
for that I ask thee not to beware of Starbuck (thou wouldst but laugh). But let Ahab beware
of Ahab… Beware of thyself, old man.
Barely audible, restrained, but
certainly there, camp response.
PREFECTS
Ooooooooo!
AHAB shoos everyone out.
AHAB
That's it. Party's over. Out!
PREFECTS unsure it's a joke.
AHAB (cont’d)
What part of blow don't you understand? The old
man is obviously too dusty for late nights, but
be warned, gentlemen, the night is coming to
get us all. You can't keep it out!
STARBUCK is last to leave.
AHAB (cont’d)
Besides, "Obsession" isn't just a
perfume?
Slams door on STARBUCK, but her
face remains in the porthole
window and AHAB has to draw a
little curtain across it.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
I'LL ADMIT I'M WRONG THROUGH MY CLENCHED TEETH
I'M OBSESSED THAT'S ONE THING I'LL OWN
SNEAKING ROUND MY SHIP LIKE A CHEESE THIEF
I TAKE THE WATCH ALONE.
IT'S JUST I
CAN'T KEEP OUT THE NIGHT
I MUST STAY AWAKE
ANOTHER NIGHT CAUGHT NAPPING COULD BE MY LAST MISTAKE.
CAN'T KEEP OUT THE NIGHT.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
76.
AHAB (cont’d)
FEEL VIOLENTLY SICK
THREE YEARS AT SEA AND STILL THERE'S NO SIGN OF DICK.
FREE FROM THE CHAINS OF SOCIETY
I DO WHAT I MUST DO
THEY PLOT AGAINST ME; THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA
BUT WHAT'S A GHOUL TO DO?
CAN'T KEEP OUT THE NIGHT
I KNOW IT'S INSANE
ALL SUMMER I'VE BEEN MAD WITH ALL THE OLD PAIN.
CAN'T KEEP OUT THE NIGHT
BUT NO SLEEP'S THE TRICK
I'LL NOT BE COUNTING SHEEP TILL I'VE SPOTTED DICK.
FOR I FEEL HIS PRESENCE GROW BIGGER
HEAR HIS BREATHING BENEATH THE SHIP
WHY DO I REJOICE THAT HE'S NEARER?
WHEN ALL I NEED IS KIP!
KEEPS DROOPING, WASHES FACE.
SOME BED AND ZED?
CAN'T KEEP OUT THE NIGHT
THOUGH RIVERS RUN RED
AND GREMLIN IN MY CABIN SAY GIVE HIM UP FOR DEAD.
I CAN'T KEEP OUT THE NIGHT
MY EYES ARE ON STALK
AND IN UNCERTAIN TWILIGHT
I'M NO NIGHTHAWK!
Hits head on table to keep him
awake but he knocks himself
unconscious.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
MUST KEEP WIDE AWAKE!
He passes out end of song.
SCENE 14 - CREW QUARTERS
WOOZY SPIRAL FX. STUBB and
STARBUCK meet conspiratorially
centre stage.
STARBUCK
Stubb, I've made a decision, I have to take
that insane Captain Ahab down a peg or two?
STUBB
Well, that'll floor him; but how?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
77.
LIGHT'S UP on CREW in various pink
and fluffy night attire, brushing
hair and preening themselves at a
high camp Baby Doll, pizza strewn,
pajama party. STUBB and STARBUCK
enter and STARBUCK searches for
something during the WOO intro
until he finds a musket.
22. Whale of a Tale
CREW
WOO WOOO WOOO WOOO WOO WOO
WOOO WOO WOO WOO
WOOO WOOO WOOO WOOO WOOO
BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA ETC
CREW screams at musket.
CREW (cont’d)
Aggggh!
STARBUCK
THE TRIP'S IN TROUBLE LORD
THE CAPTAIN'S POSSESSED
THE SHIP'S GONE OVERBOARD
FOR MOTIVES UNBLESSED
OUT PILOT'S SHOWN HIS COLOURS
THE DYE HAS BEEN CAST
THE QUESTION FACING US
IS HOW LONG CAN I LAST?
SHALL I GO
CREW
SHALL HE GO?
STARBUCK
DOWN BELOW?
CREW
DOWN BELOW?
STARBUCK
WITH A GUN?
CREW
OFF YOU GO…
(STARBUCK)
YES OR NO?
CREW (cont’d)
WE DON'T KNOW!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
78.
STARBUCK
GIVE ME MORE OF THE LONG STROKE BOYS
SAVE YOUR LAST HARPOON
CREW
FOR THE DEVIL WHO'S SAILING TO HIS LAST HIGH NOON
STARBUCK
IT'S COMING SOON
CAN'T YOU SEE WE SHOULD MUTINY
WILL YOU GIVE ME YOUR VOTE?
CREW
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS OR DO WE ALL MISS THE BOAT?
STARBUCK
IT'S A WHALE (IT'S A WHALE)
IT'S A WHALE (IT'S A WHALE)
IT'S A WHALE OF A TALE
IT'S A WHALE (IT'S A WHALE)
IT'S A WHALE OF A TALE
ARE YOU REALLY BEHIND ME GIRLS?
YOU'RE MY LAST HARPOON
CREW
FOR OUR ROTTEN COMMANDER SAILING TO HIS LAST HIGH NOON
STARBUCK
WE'RE CHANGING HIS TUNE.
CAN'T YOU SEE WE SHOULD MUTINY?
PUT HIS HEAD IN A NOOSE
TIME TO STAND AND BE COUNTED AS MY BOYS
CREW
BOYS!
STARBUCK
GIRLS!
CREW
BOYS!
GIRLS ON THE
IT'S A WHALE
IT'S A WHALE
IT'S A WHALE
IT'S A WHALE
WHAT A WHALE
IT'S A WHALE
IT'S A WHALE
STARBUCK
LOOSE!
(IT'S A WHALE)
(IT'S A WHALE)
OF A TALE
(IT'S A WHALE)
OF A TALE!
OF A TALE!
STARBUCK (CONT’D) (cont’d)
Well, mess mates? Are you with me?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
79.
ISHMAEL
I'm one thousand percent with you!
STARBUCK
I'm afraid that's not enough.
ISHMAEL
Yes, I know how you feel.
STARBUCK leads the CREW, on tip
toe, to a PORTHOLE over AHAB'S
bed. He councils the CREW that it
is either now or never.
STARBUCK
Men, just in there- Ahab is sleeping. Sleeping,
aye but still alive, and soon awake! We must
end it now.
AHAB suddenly snaps up and talks
in his sleep, which frightens off
the CREW.
23. Sinking Man
AHAB
STERN ALL! LITTLE PIP! WE ARE NEAR HIM!
SOON I'LL RAISE HIS HEART TO THE SKIES.
I WILL SURE LET RIP WHEN I SPEAR HIM;
AHAB droops back to sleep. STARBUCK goes it alone.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
STARBUCK IS VERY WISE!
Alone, a troubled STARBUCK kneels,
looking down on sleeping AHAB,
divided.
STARBUCK
GREAT GOD WHERE ART THOU NOW FOR ME?
(I'M TRAPPED WITHIN A SPELL)
WOULD I A COMMON MURDERER BE?
ONE TOUCH - AND STRAIGHT TO HELL?
STARBUCK aims pistol at AHAB.
STARBUCK (cont’d)
A SHOT UNIMPAIRED,
THE SHIP WOULD BE SPARED
BUT EVERYTHING'S AT STAKE.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
80.
The illfated STARBUCK is now
distracted by a weird voice (on
reverb) emanating from the
auditorium. (I.E; at sea.)
MOBY'S VOICE
AHAB!
STARBUCK reluctantly re-aims, his
hand, which begins to shake, he
adds a left hand to steady the
pistol.
STARBUCK
I CAN DO NOTHING BUT SHAKE
MOBY'S VOICE
AHAB!
STARBUCK
I FEEL HIS OLD HEART BREAK!
Q WHALE SOUNDS. STARBUCK
surrenders all initiative, drops
pistol and retreats into the murk,
demoralised, SL. AHAB rises, sleep
walking, from his bed, wrapped in
an Indian blanket from top to
foot.
AHAB
VOICES? VOICES?
MOBY'S VOICE
AHAB YOUR TIME ON EARTH DRAWS NEAR
AND SO I OFFER HOPE
YOUR LONG LOST GUINEVERE IS HERE,
BEYOND THE RIGGING ROPE
AHAB wanders the ropes until
STARBUCK surfaces to wave a hand
before his eyes, but AHAB, asleep,
fails to respond to.
STARBUCK
Oh my poor Captain.
AHAB
What is it? What nameless, inscrutable,
unearthly thing is it commands me against all
natural loving's and longings, so I keep
pushing, pushing myself all the time? Is AhabAhab?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
81.
AHAB (cont’d)
SHADOWS OF THE DEEP,
HAUNT A SINKING MAN
WALKING IN MY SLEEP
NO GOLD IN MY PAN.
MONARCH OF ALL I SEE,
IN MY HOLLOW CROWN
Lifts arm to sky, lowers it, very
conscious of his action.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
IS IT I, OR HE
LIFTS THIS UP OR DOWN?
STARBUCK
MY CAPTAIN, NOBLE SOUL
AHAB
WHAT IS IT COMMANDS?
STARBUCK
FORGET YOUR GOAL.
AHAB
AHAB'S CRAZED DEMANDS?
STARBUCK
WHY SHOULD ANYONE GIVE CHASE TO THAT FISH WHEN WE COULD
HOMEWARD BOWL?
GRAND OLD HEART, LETS FLY THESE WATERS?
EMBRACE OUR DAUGHTERS.
AHAB
HOT PURSUIT OF MY BEAUTIFUL ESTA WHO LIVED …
AHAB senses a vision of his lost
wife materialize behind him, as
ESTA, in her in wedding dress
dripping with shells, sea horses
and seaweed, floats towards him
through sea mist.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
AND
-BREATHED.
ESTA!?
ESTA
AHAB…
AHAB
THERE IS MY DREAM OF YOUTH.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
82.
ESTA
AHAB…
AHAB
THERE IS THE LIVING PROOF!
ESTA
DARLING I THOUGHT WE OUGHT TO MEET
CLOSURE IS AT YOU FEET.
AHAB, imagines returning to better
days,realizes his lost leg has
been returned and spins,in a
waltz, to marvel.
ESTA (cont’d)
THE BROKEN CIRCLE NOW COMPLETE
LOOK ROUND AND MARVEL AT IT ALL
BACK AT YOUR WEDDING BALL
TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS BACK HOME IN OUR BALLROOM
SUMMON UP OLD CHARMS- YOU'RE BRIDE AND MY BRIDEGROOM.
JUST NEVER RELEASE ME YOU BELONG WITH ME; WITH ME.
Reprise, now a grand waltz.
GUESTS
WE LIVE AND BREATHE, FORBIDDEN SEAS
WHERE THE FLOODGATES OF A WONDER WORLD SWING
AND A THOUSAND NEWBORN FEELINGS ROLL UP WITH
OH THERE'S MAGIC IN THE WATERS AND THE MAGIC
FROM THE LAND DOWNSTREAM TO RIVER TONIGHT WE
BACK IN THE MANSION HALL.
OPEN WIDE
THE TIDE
DRAWS US ALL
ARE TOGETHER
AHAB
SHE LIVED AND...
LIGHTS DIM slowly to blackout as
ball and ESTA evaporate. AHAB
retreats;
AHAB (cont’d)
...BREATHED!
BLACK OUT. Slowly orange LAMPS
come on in ice blue night.
ISHMAEL
SAIL HO; SHIP IN THE FOG!
(cont’d)
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
83.
STARBUCK
Whereaway? What's its name, Mister Stubb?
STUBB
The "Rachel."
STARBUCK
A British ship.
STUBB
Looks sadder than twin beds, I'll get the
Captain.
GARDINER (OFF)
Ahoy there, Pequod, Ahoy! Can we come aboard
for a chin wag?
STARBUCK shouts through a SCHOOL
MEGAPHONE.
STARBUCK
By all means 'Rachel', come aboard.
A sad bell tolls as the prow of
the green ghost-like ship 'The
Rachel' (think "The Flying
Dutchman,") noses onto the set,
whereupon AHAB reappears, replete
with his usual peg leg.
24. The Rachel.
STUBB
CAP'N SIR, VISITOR, A CAPTAIN GARDINER
GARDINER is piped aboard (but it
comes out like a wolf whistle,)and
given a mug of beef tea. He sits
on a barrel to engage with the
PEQUOD'S CREW surrounding him, as
his own sad CREW, in different
colours, cap in hand, stand to one
side.
AHAB
WELCOME CAPTAIN GARDINER
GARDINER
LONG TIME NO SEE, SIR.
BUT AVAST THERE ALL
AIN'T A SOCIAL CALL
FOR I NEED TO SHARE YOUR SAIL
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
84.
AHAB
YOU LOOK UPSET
AND YOUR ARM IS WET
GARDINER reveals a lost hand
replaced by a harpoon head. AHAB
shows off his own trophy; his
ivory leg. Snap!
GARDINER
WELL, I FOUGHT WITH A ROGUE WHITE WHALE.
AHAB IS MESMERISED BY GARDENER.
AHAB
NAY? TELL ME, PRAY?
AHAB AND PEQUOD CREW
DID HE GET AWAY?
GARDINER
SUCH A CIRCUS HORSE KIND O' BEAST OF COURSE
WITH A NOSE LIKE A BATTERING RAM
BUT HE PULLED A TRICK AND RETREATED QUICK
AND KIDNAPPED MY WHALEBOAT 'SAM'.
BOTH CREWS
WELL, TODAY THEY (WE) RAN FROM LEVIATHAN
WHICH WAS WHITE AS A STICKY BUN
BUT THE(OUR)CAPTAIN LOST AT THE GREATEST COST
A BOAT AND DEVOTED SON.
GARDINER
ALL THROUGH THE DAY I HAVE HUNTED AND YET
ALL
HUNTED AND YET- HUNTED AND YET
GARDINER
DARKNESS CAME ON AND THE RECALL LIGHT SET
RACHEL CREW
SIGNALS WERE SET - NOTHING AS YET.
GARDINER & RACHEL CREW
TWELVE TO A WHALEBOAT AND GONE WITH THE SUN
SNATCHED BY A MONSTER THAT LED THE BOAT ON
GARDINER
ONE OF THE TWELVE IS MY TWELVE-YEAR-OLD SON!
TWELVE-YEAR-OLD SON - MY LITTLE ONE.
AHAB produces charts.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
85.
GARDINER (cont’d)
AHAB, MY BOY HAS GONE. MY ONLY BOY
He cries.
GARDINER (cont’d)
HAS GONE!
ALL
IN THE NEXT WHALEBOAT HE LET THE BOY SLIP
ISHMAEL
GONE WITH THE SUN
ALL
SNATCHED BY A MONSTER FROM HIS FINGERTIP
ISHMAEL
HIS PRECIOUS ONE
STARBUCK
CAPTAIN, HIS BOY IS NO OLDER THAN PIP!
AHAB is mortified but digs deeper
into his madness. We hear the
ghost of PIP'S tambourine.
STARBUCK (cont’d)
WE MUST GIVE CHASE.
TASHTEGO
IN GREAT HASTE
ALL
AND RETRACE
ISHMAEL
AT A PACE
CREW kneel before AHAB.
ALL
THE VAST WASTE
SEARCH FOR HIS BRETHREN AS (IF HE WERE THINE)
LOST AND AWASH AND (ADRIFT IN THE BRINE)
STARBUCK
AS WE LOVE CHRIST, WE MUST THROW HIM A LINE!
STARBUCK plea is soon paralysed by
AHAB'S death ray eyes. GARDINER
proffers a pouch of silver behind
preoccupied AHAB.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
86.
GARDINER
I'LL CHARTER YOU.
ALL
THIS WE MUST DO.
QUEEQUEG
HE DO SAME FOR YOU.
The CREW move to actions station,
AHAB freezes them by singing one
note.
AHAB
HOLD
TOUCH NOT A ROPE YARN!
The CREW remain defiantly
motionless, then, as one,
deliberately turn their back on
AHAB whilst crossing arms. AHAB
tears them to pieces!
AHAB (cont’d)
Oh? Swerve me? Thou cannot swerve ME! Thou
swerve THYSELF. The path of thy fixed purpose
is laid within iron railings, where upon my
soul is grooved to run over unsounded gorges,
through rifle hearts of mountains and I say
NAUGHT IS an obstacle! Naught's an angle for
the IRON WAY!
Stands beside GARDINER with back
to audience, clutches GARDINER'S
left hand, whispers.
AHAB (cont’d)
God bless you, man, in your search and may god
forgive me mine.
AHAB retreats with charts.
AHAB (cont’d)
He waits for me here, a day away , near the
Isle of Bashee. Japan! Sail on!
The CREW pick up a devastated
CAPTAIN GARDINER and wave him off
into the mist.
ISHMAEL
AND AS THE RACHEL WENT HER WAY
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
87.
STUBB
MESSMATES YOU'RE SOLD
ALL
HAUNTING THE DAY
DAGOO
SOLD ON THE GOLD
ISHMAEL
STILL WITHOUT COMFORT SHE WEPT
PEQUOD CREW
WEPT FOR HER CHILDREN SHE LOST
RACHEL CREW
LOST FOR HER CHILDREN NOW GONE
FADE TO BLACK, a finger of dawn
awakens the ship.Q-JAPANESE MUSIC.
AHAB emerges to call ISHMAEL.
AHAB (CONT'D)
Why don't you call out for him boy?
ISHMAEL
I don't see anything, sir.
AHAB
Well, he's close. Don't you smell him, boy?
ISHMAEL
No, but I smell…land, sir?
CREW point to imaginary birds in
sky, LOWER FOURTH, make bird
sounds.
CREW
Squawk! Squawk! Squawk!
AHAB
Yes, the birds are up. You smell bird food,
lad, you smell Moby Dick's back!
ISHMAEL
AT SEA ONE DAY, YOU'LL SMELL SOME LAND
WHERE LAND THERE MAY NOT BE AT HAND…
QUEEQUEG
Elijah's prophecy!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
88.
AHAB
Avast aloft; boy, blister your lungs. Keep him
nailed. Sing out for me every time!
ISHMAEL suddenly spots MOBY.
ISHMAEL
There! A long sleek on the sea, directly and
lengthwise ahead, dazzling as polished steel!
It's Moby Dick!
MUSIC Q. AHAB removes gold
doubloon, (I.E; the shield,) drops
it out of sight and pretends to
throw it up to ISHMAEL. ISHMAEL,
in turn, catches a second
(hitherto concealed,) shield,
(glitterball fx,)which he has
thrown upwards to catch for
himself.
AHAB
Behold the winner of the gold, men!
CREW
Boo. Swizz!
LIGHTS focus on two areas of
space; STARBUCK and STUBB, (with
the collectively nail- biting
LOWER FOURTH) around the ship's
wheel. Then, (forestage, JUNIORS
and PREFECTS create the final
whale hunt, AHAB at front of that
boat, with his spear. They use
lanterns on whaleboat.
25. Heave Two
ISHMAEL
THAR SHE BLOWS!
AHAB
A HUMP LIKE A SNOW HILL?
ALL
MOBY DICK!
AHAB & CREW
SILVER (SPARKLING BACK) GOD UPRISING
GLARING (EYE TO EYE) SEIZE THE DAY (HEY!)
PULL THERE! (BREAK YOUR BACK) LET'S SURPRISE HIM
HOLD HARD (ATTACK) HEAVE AWAY!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
89.
AHAB & CREW
CHASE HIM (WITH THE LIGHT) HELTER SKELTER
RACE HIM ("FOLLOW ME") THROUGH THE FOAM
FACE HIM (AND HIS BITE) THERE'S NO SHELTER
ONE LAST (FINAL FIGHT) THEN IT'S HOME!
AHAB is in full Red Indian mode
and the FILM CLUB could project
some black and white footage of a
galloping buffalo over him.
AHAB AND CREW
THERE'S A MADNESS TAKEN OVER ME (WHOAH-OH-OH)
WOULD I COULD TURN BACK MY MEMORY
EVERY SUNSET USED TO SOOTHE MY (HIS) BROW
EVERY SUNRISE SPURRED ME (HIM) ON, BUT NOW…
GIVE ME (ONE CLEAR THROW) UPON HIS CARCASS.
DEAL THE (BITTER BLOW) AND BE DONE!
NO, THE (SO AND SO) IS TURNING ON US.
STOW THERE, (MATELOT) TURN AND RUN!
AHAB points in the opposite
direction and the BOAT CREW row
the opposite way till they stop
exhausted. AHAB twists around and
raises his spear as the whale
passes the prow of the WHALEBOAT,
and we see, through the eyes of
the CAST, (who have to convince us
MOBY DICK is as big as three
houses!!! Can you do that?) A
grand "shadow" FX wipes across the
faces of the crew as he passes
them. Once MOBY has passed, the
wake of the water makes the boat
rock violently from side to side.
You mime this. AHAB points where
he sees the whale vanish beneath
the water.
AHAB
SEE, HE'S FLEES, BY THUNDER, TAKING FLIGHT!
AHAB SEARCHES THE OCEAN'S BRIM
WITH A TELESCOPE. A WHISPERED
VOICE CREEPS ROUND THE NECKS OF
THE AUDIENCE.
MOBY'S VOICE
THAT'S THE LAST YOU'LL SEE OF ME TONIGHT …
AHAB watches MOBY become faint
pencil lines in the far horizon.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
90.
AHAB
JUST THE HEM OF HIS OLD GOLDEN ROBE
ALL
RUSTLING O'ER ENCHANTED ANCIENT GLOBE!
AHAB shakes a fist at MOBY until
BLACKOUT. In the blackout, the
LOWER FOURTH collect their special
umbrellas off stage. A giant MOON
silhouettes the BOAT CREW.
QUEEQUEG
LOOKEE CAP'N; THE WHALE TURN!
FLASK
SACRE BLEU - HE'S A COMIN' BACK!!!
26. Ahab's death.
AHAB
Aye, breech your last to the sun Moby Dick, thy
hour and thy harpoon are at hand!
AHAB slaps his forehead with palm
challenging MOBY DICK.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
FOREHEAD TO FOREHEAD, I MEET THEE MOBY DICK!
ISHMAEL
NOTHING IN THE WORLD HAD PREPARED ME FOR HIS JOYOUSNESS
NOTHING IN THE WORLD, NOTHING IN THE WORLD!
NOTHING IN THE WORLD COMPARED REPOSE WITH SWIFTNESS.
NOTHING IN THE WORLD! NOTHING IN THE WORLD!
BUT MOBY DICK CAME FORWARD,
STILL WITHHOLDING FROM SIGHT THE FULL TERRORS OF A SUBMERGED
TRUNK,
YES, MOBY DICK CAME FORWARD
ENTIRELY HIDING THE WRENCHED HIDEOUSNESS OF HIS JAW STILL
HALF SUNK,
BUT NOTHING IN THE WORLD PREPARED ME FOR WHEN THE GRAND GOD
REVEALED HIMSELF AND SHOT STRAIGHT TO THE STARS
NOTHING IN THIS WONDERFUL WORLD PREPARED ME TO STAND AND
WATCH HIS BANNERED WAVE AT PLANET MARS.
The whale now leaps up (sounded,)
over and beyond them. If possible
"Dancing water jets" shoot up from
the floor around the boat.
ISHMAEL (cont’d)
...WHEN HE SOUNDED...
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
91.
BOAT CREW duck, turn, and leap up
into the air, as one, as MOBY
crashes back into the ocean.
ISHMAEL (cont’d)
..THREE HOUSES HIGH HE THEN REBOUNDED,
TO PLUNGE, AND DIVE INTO THE BLUE!
WHEN NOTHING IN THE WORLD COULD SAVE THAT CREW!
AHAB'S whale boat rocks wildly in
the ensuing wake. The BOAT CREW
traces a panicky circle, as MOBY
circles them. Screams!
AHAB
Quiet, men, he's under us! See his glittering
mouth yawning beneath the boat like an opendoored marble tomb?
He addresses the heathens.
AHAB (CONT'D)
What say ye, Pagans? Will ya give as much blood
as will cover my barb?
QUEEQUEG/DAGOO/TASHTEGO/FLASK
AYE!
The HEATHENS mime cutting wrists
(releasing three palmed, weighted
red ribbons) as AHAB applies
"blood" to the spear. AHAB pivots
round to raise the spear out
front; a red spot on the spear
suggests blood.
AHAB
Ego non baptizo te in nomine patris, sed in
nomine diaboli!
STUBB
What's he say, Mr. Starbuck?
STARBUCK
"I baptise thee in the name of the devil"!
ISHMAEL claps for attention and
places index finger to lips.
ISHMAEL
Shhhhh! An hour!
Total silence, LITTLE GIRLS do
clock ticking noises.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
92.
The BAND pauses too. It is
unnerving. After eight seconds,
ISHMAEL speaks.
ISHMAEL (cont’d)
Then - the breeze freshened and the sea began
to swell.
BAND/ CHOIR resume underscore.
DAGOO
THE WHALE!
TASHTEGO
THE SHIP!
QUEEQUEG
HE'S TURNING ON THE PEQUOD!
MOBY'S advance on Pequod is
suggested by the sound of a ship
churning through water, (maybe a
paddle steamer?)
STUBB
He's coming at us Mr. Starbuck. Captain Ahab,
burst in on him! Change his course!
AHAB
Dash on my men, will ye not save the Pequod?!
The BOAT CREW doubles the rowing
speed -like a cartoon.
STARBUCK
Save us!
QUEEQUEG
Ishmael! Jump! Save yourself!
A SPOTLIGHT whip pans to where
ISHMAEL normally is... but he has
vanished!
AHAB
Dear glorious ship! Must thou perish without
me?
AHAB beats his chest.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
But here I am Moby Dick!
AHAB crooks a finger at him.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
93.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
Come - oh lonely death on lonely life!
DAGOO
Save the ship!
TASHTEGO
Too late!
QUEEQUEG
The jaw!
FLASK
The hearse!
STARBUCK drops knees to pray.
STARBUCK
My God, stand by me now!
The PEQUOD is destroyed. We hear a
"tree felling and cracking" S.F.X.
as visually, the mast (on a
hinge,) snaps in two, and a large
sail is flown in, to drop to the
floor. During all this, STARBUCK
slumps over the rails and STUBB
over the wheel- both dead! "LITTLE
GIRLS" stand in bowls of water, to
one side, and use several silver
hula hoops to evoke drowning. The
BOAT CREW stops rowing and face
one another as at the start of a
ritualistic sequence. They throw
their "oars" back and forth three
times to one another. (The trick
is to throw the oars UP so you
have time to catch them as they
descend.) After three exchanges,
they then swing them over their
shoulders and bring them down like
a fairground mallet, making a
percussive thwack on the stage
floor. They then grab the ends of
two oars before them, crouch down
and undulate the oars as if a
lapping (albeit wooden,) sea
surface. QUEEQUEG ceremoniously
walks through the "wooden waves"
to represent, as it were, 'the
unknown sailor'.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
94.
If your BOAT CREW are strong,
QUEEQUEG should now fall back onto
the bed of oars and be raised
above the CREWS heads and "turned"
as if an element of shipwreck.
This surrealistic sequence
represents the destruction of the
WHALEBOAT. QUEEQUEG is carried off
into the darkness. Three LITTLE
GIRLS wander the deck of the
PEQUOD wearing "tragedy masks" and
speak together as if some moronic
Greek chorus.
AHAB!
AHAB!
LITTLE GIRLS
AHAB!
As AHAB rails at the hiding whale,
the LOWER FOURTH slow march on
(like Girl Guides,) to gather
around AHAB. AHAB now rejects all
help from the heavens.
AHAB
THOU DESTROYER! THUS I TURN MY BACK TO THE SUN!
With LOWER FOURTH at the front,
they are joined by taller
PREFECTS, in a second row.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
TOWARDS THEE I ROLL, THOU-ALL DESTROYING BUT UNCONQUERING
WHALE; TO THE LAST I GRAPPLE WITH THEE.
AHAB sings out-front.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d)
FROM HELL'S GATE I SPIT MY HEART AT THEE!
LIFELESS BLANK I BLOW LAST BREATH AT THEE!
With Olympic cadences.
AHAB (CONT'D)
THUS ---I GIVE UP---THE S-P-E-A-R!
AHAB throws his spear and, at this
precise moment, the SCHOOL open up
the shell encrusted beach
umbrellas to create an image of
our grand sea beast; four on
ground level, four behind,(
providing a second tier,) with two
on either side, creating the curve
of the whale.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
95.
ESTA stands well behind this
image, waving a bannered 'tail' of
the whale like a big Les Miz flag.
PLACARD GIRL, dressed in a French
artistes smock, and wearing a
beret with upturned moustache,
rushes on to dab two black whale
"eyes" on two umbrellas, then
stands back to admire her handy
work, before speedily exiting.
AHAB, collapses under this sudden
dominating creation, and is
dragged, (screaming, of course,)
under the umbrellas, and out of
sight. FRED hides behind the
'whale' to pull and guide AHAB
through the umbrellas and maybe
through a trapdoor or secret door
to vanish for a quick change. The
COMPANY quivers the umbrellas for
TEN SECONDS, after which we hear a
distant prerecorded belch. The
SCHOOL collapses the umbrellas and
all drop, swiftly, (as one student
body,) to the floor, ( which is
cross lit,) to pretend to be dead
bodies on the water, rocking from
side to side, hugging the
umbrellas. ISHMAEL enters wearing
a hobbyhorse round his neck
designed like QUEEQUEG'S COFFIN.
This is what has saved him from
drowning. He uses a baking spoon
to paddle.
ISHMAEL
ALL, ALL WENT DOWN BELOW
AND THE GREAT SHROUD OF THE SEA ROLLED ON
AS IT ROLLED FIVE THOUSAND YEARS AGO.
FADE TO BLACK. We now enjoy a
SOUND INTERLUDE of the sea
collapsing in an epic fashion.
(Record any waterfall in a
municipal baths.)During this, the
SCHOOL half rise and, slowly, roll
the, (now, half open,) umbrellas
off stage, right, which (painted
with white U.V.) will evoke a
scroll of surf as the SCHOOL exit.
Move slowly. Milk it. Wait for
applause.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
96.
ISHMAEL (CONT'D) (cont’d)
THE DRAMA'S DONE.
IN THE WORDS OF JOBE, I ONLY
AM ESCAPED ALONE TO TELL THEE.
ISHMAEL acts cold and scared
ISHMAEL (CONT'D) (cont’d)
SO, FLOATING ON THE MARGIN OF THE SCENE
OF THE DESTROYED SHIP AND IN FULL SIGHT OF IT, I, ISHMAEL,
DID REVOLVE ON QUEEQUEG'S COFFIN.
THE UNHARMING SHARKS GLIDED BY
AS IF WITH PADLOCKS ON THEIR JAWS
PLACARD GIRL circles ISHMAEL
announcing a "shark" then scoots
off.
ISHMAEL (cont’d)
THE SAVAGE HAWKS CIRCLED WITH SHEATHED AND NO CAWS.
Same PLACARD GIRL runs on from
different side, announcing "SEA
HAWK" and circling ISHMAEL the
opposite way, scoots off too. A
STAR FIELD erupts and ISHMAEL
yawns and falls asleep. A finger
of dawn hits ISHMAEL'S face, when
he stretches and suddenly sees
something far off.
ISHMAEL (CONT'D) (cont’d)
ON THE SECOND DAY, A SAIL DREW NEAR.
"He" rubs eyes in disbelief
ISHMAEL (CONT'D) (cont’d)
NEARER!
Emotions boil up.
ISHMAEL (CONT'D) (cont’d)
... AND SAVED ME FROM MY TRIAL!
Laughs and cries simultaneously.
ISHMAEL (CONT'D) (cont’d)
IT WAS 'THE RACHEL'
THAT IN HER RETRACING SEARCH AFTER HER MISSING CHILDREN, ONLY
FOUND -A-N-O-T-H-E-R O-R-P-H-A-N!
A smiling CAPTAIN GARDINER
reappears and stretches a hand
towards ISHMAEL, who mirrors him.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
97.
They stretch out to one another-a
lonely father now finding a lost
son to love. SLOW FADE. PLACARD
GIRL announces "FINIS". The
school's musical is over. The CAST
are heard, (off,) cheering. A
"School disco" is unveiled playing
the finale vamp. HEADMISTRESS
enters in dressing room turban and
gown.
HEADMISTRESS
Thank you for attending our little hydro
therapy, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.
We were determined to get that money out of
you, even if we had to use a stirrup pump! So,
I think it's time you all snapped some elastic
too, don't you? So, stuff art, let's dance!
27. Moby Dick Finale
ALL
CAPTAIN AHAB'S DEAD, IN HIS BED, THE SEA BED!
WHILE HITTING HIS STRIDE!
COS IF YOU WANT A THING, CHASE A THING, GET THAT THING
YOU CAN STILL BE DENIED!
ANOTHER SUICIDAL STORY
ANOTHER TALE OF DEATH OR GLORY
BUT HEY, EVERYTHING'S JUST HUNKY DORY
WE'RE SAVING THE SCHOOL BY PLAYING THE POOL
TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT!
WOO-OO, WOO-OO, WOO-OO-OO-OOO
MOBY DICK! MOBY DICK THE MUSICAL
MOBY DICK! A WHALE OF A TALE
MOBY DICK! EVERYTHING THAT'S NAUTICAL
MOBY DICK, WE'RE HAVING A WHALE…
WHALE OF A TALE
WHALE OF A TALE
WHALE OF A TALE!
WE SANG AND PLAYED OUR PARTS
WE BROUGHT TO LIFE THE DRAMA
FROM NOW IT'S UP THE ARTS!
AT EVERY CHANCE, HEREAFTER.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR GLEE
(WE WORE SOU'WESTER)
AND GENEROSITY
(THEN WE ADDED WATER)
OF ALL THE BOOKS TO PICK
THE BENEFIT OF A
THEATRICAL GALA
DID THE TRICK!
WITH MOBY DICK!
TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT,
TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
98.
The LOWER FOURTH arrive as a
school of fish, darting this way
and that, (as one,) before they
bow. The PREFECTS arrive, in a
"croc", as bathing beauties,
holding number cards at their
hips, which have their own
personal telephone numbers on them
EX; Whitehall 4545 or Grosvenor
7777. PIP descends sitting on a
giant anchor. FRED enters dressed
(inexplicably,) as a jockey,(own
fantasy.)STUBB enters playing
bagpipes. STARBUCK arrives to a
battery of camera flashes, then,
ISHMAEL, the pregnant NEW GIRL,
who can't stop crying at her
momentous achievement, ends up
dangling her legs over the
footlights, until, suddenly, she
is violently still, where-upon the
LOWER FOURTH drag her
,unceremoniously, back behind
green field screens, as busy bee
JUNIORS arrive, (dressed in
midwife hats,) and the PREFECTS
watch, in awe as, by silhouette,
the NEW GIRL gives birth to a baby white whale, which,(amidst,
the general distribution of cigars
,) is shown first to the ORCHESTRA
then audience, (to the CONDUCTOR'S
fury.) Suddenly, the stage plunges
into darkness, and the orchestra
is galvanized into playing a
swirling introduction, to herald
the appearance of the
HEADMISTRESS,(now in glamorous
attire ,) clutching a bouquet of
flowers, who the entire school,
(en-masse,) run toward, to escort
her down for her rapturous
applause,(from both school and
audience. This is finally
derailed, when a giant picture
frame drops in, and everyone is
seated for a school photo,
whereupon, at the "flash", an
amazing curtain of rising bubbles
obliterates them all from our
sight until next time!
CURTAIN.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL"
99.
JANUARY 25TH 2008. R.LONGDEN.