Music Theatre Works for Children
VOLUME 2, PART 2: ENERGY - SOCIAL ISSUES - HISTORY - CELEBRATIONS - MISCELLANEOUS
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
The Rockers, the Poppers and Me Scene 1: The schoolyard before school. The “poppers” all talking very secretively together take the stage. Once the scene is set with the conversation, they all come forward for the opening song: Pop Song Appendix 79 1. To be like us you must be cool And follow every special rule. If you’re not chosen to join our ranks, You can’t hang about with us, no thanks! Chorus: We have secrets that we keep One, two, three, A bow we wear upon our coat, In places chosen by secret vote. 2. Our socks just reach above the calf, It’s not the thing to wear a scarf. In little secret groups we talk, When someone comes, away we’ll walk. (chorus) Dance Sequence (Instrumental) Ideas for the dance can come from acting out the song in a stylised manner. Watching the recording may also be useful. (Repeat verse 1 and chorus) Voice 1: Hey, here come the Rockers Let’s go. Voice 2: Quick everyone, we don’t want to meet that ugly mob. (Exit Poppers, stage left. Rockers enter stage right dancing to verse 1 and Chorus of their song) We Like Heavy Metal Appendix 80 Dance Entry, Verse 1 and Chorus, Instrumental (26 bars of 4/4, then 4 bars intro) 1. We always meet at the end of the street, If you come near us, you won’t stand on your feet. One earing here keeps us in line, Don’t get in our way and you’ll be just fine. Chorus: We like heavy metal, For toughness, yeah! We settle. Everyone who runs with us Must keep our code, no fuss! For toughness, yeah! We settle, We like heavy metal. 2. We like fast cars and motorbikes, Leather jackets and hair with spikes. We walk the street in a casual way And much prefer the night today. (chorus) Voice 1: Hey gang, why don’t we ruffle up those smarties. Voice 2: The little “pop” lovers headed off when they saw us coming. Voices: Yeah, come on, let’s pinch their silly bows and push ‘em about a bit. (Gang exit left in pursuit of the Poppers. Mary enters from stage left and Frank from stage right) Frank: Hi Mary! Mary: Hi Frank! I just passed the Poppers and the Rockers having some kind of interaction on the other side of the street. How come you don’t belong to one of those groups, Frank? Frank: I “dunno”. I guess I just like to be myself. Mary: I feel a bit that way, too. It’s great just to make my own choices. Frank: There’s lots of kids like us. Mary: You know, Frank, we could all get together just because we’re different. Frank: Here come the rest of the kids now, Mary. Let’s see what they think. (pause) Hey, you guys! How would you like to form a new group? Mary: Yeah, all the kids who just like being themselves and are happy to be different. Voices: Sounds great. O.K. Great idea! Terrific! Super! Suits me! (All come forward for the following song) Be Yourself, Ballad Appendix 81 1. Be yourself and have no fear. We want no rules or special gear. Options always open keep. Joy in life you’ll surely reap. Chorus: Stand for yourself and know who you are; Don’t follow the crowd, it won’t get you far, Open minded, independent, That’s all you need to follow your star, To follow your star. 2.We like to wear just what we wish, Some like to ski and some to fish. Some like to ride and some to walk And we don’t really mind who hears us talk. (Chorus) Dance Sequence (One verse and chorus, instrumental) (All sing) 1. Be yourself and have no fear. We want no rules or special gear. Options always open keep. Joy in life you’ll surely reap. Chorus: Stand for yourself and know who you are; Don’t follow the crowd, it won’t get you far, Open minded, independent, That’s all you need to follow your star, To follow your star. Start backing track 21 Narrator: (Voice over music) Today is the day for the big picnic to the coast. All the kids are going, and they have decided where they intend to gather. The “Poppers” know a secret place on top of the cliff overlooking the sea and surrounded by shrubs and trees. The “Rockers” are meeting in the scrub near the cliff top while the independents are going off in twos and threes to do their own things. Unknown to the kids an alien space craft has landed near the cliff top to collect leaves and grasses to replenish their food supplies. The aliens are herbivores and live on these things. The “Poppers” have settled right where they well see the take off. The aliens don’t want to be seen and determine to push the kids off the cliff with their sonic rays. The sonic ray guns are powerful, but only up to a point. Beyond this point the rays can be pushed back to their sources. (Sonic rays on – electronic sound effects accompanied by flashing lighting effects in the theatre) Directions: The “Poppers” are terrified by the sonic rays and are being pushed back to the cliff edge. They scream: “Help!” The “Rockers” in the scrub come to their aid and gradually the rays are pushed back. In two’s and three’s, the independents, attracted by the noise, join in too. After a great struggle the rays are pushed back to their source. The aliens give up and the kids screaming and pointing to the ascent see the U.F.O. take off into the sky. (electronic take off sound effects) Voices: Did you see that? A real U.F.O. Wow! Popper to Rocker: Gosh you were great! Rocker to Popper: Gee you were brave! Independent: We need each other. Popper: Let’s all get together and celebrate our victory. Rocker: Yeah! Let’s join hands and have fun together. (All join hands in a big circle) We Need Each Other
Select Format
Book Details
About the Book
The book consists of three parts. The first is the background story providing a detailed context surrounding the writing of the works. It also gives details of methodology and the origins of each work. The second part of the book is made up of the scripts for each of the works and the third section is the scores for all the original music. Education through artistic endeavour is very strong including entertaining shows featuring the circus, pirates and the celebration of Christmas. Treatment of topics is highly imaginative, especially the use of science fiction in, “The Rockers, the Poppers and Me”
About the Author
Geoffrey D’Ombrain, having gained the reputation as a leading music educator became Music Method Lecturer, Melbourne University (1965). During these years Cassells published his very famous, “Music Now”, a creative music course for secondary schools. Then, as head of the Music Department, Melbourne State College (1974-1982), he was able to develop a course with the focus on music as a creative medium. His progressive ideas in music education were reflected in the details of the course which attracted students of high calibre. The course was so popular with students that now, thirty years later, they still hold enthusiastic reunions. In 1983 Geoffrey moved to the Geelong region where he co-directed an arts centre at the historic homestead, Pirra. Here he established the Rustic Space Theatre and engaged in an innovative program of community arts. A major product of this program was the composition of operettas or music theatre works for children. In this endeavour he worked with his partner, and dancer, the late Jenny Abella. Geoffrey was once again able to apply his creative mind, his artistic, writing, directing and composition skills to the exciting task of meeting the demands of schools for shows relevant to the great variety of topics for study.