by John Reynolds and Shade Smith Starblaze by John Reynolds and Shade Smith © Reynolds & Smith 1984. All Rights Reserved This script may not be copied or transcribed by any means electronic, optical or mechanical without the prior permission of the copyright owner or his agent. Photocopying this script without a suitable license is strictly prohibited. This play is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. ‘Starblaze’ is fully protected under the international laws of copyright which are enacted in the UK as the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The rights of John Reynolds and Shade Smith to be identified as the authors of the work has been asserted by them in accordance with the above Act. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this play, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the material contained herein. NOTE : This is a preview version, and does not contain the full script. Published by : Plays And Musicals, Lantern House, 84 Littlehaven Lane, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4JB, UK Tel : +44 (0)700 593 8842 www.playsandmusicals.co.uk [email protected] Publication History: January 2008 : First Edition ‘Plays And Musicals’ is an imprint of Stagescripts Ltd Stagescripts Ltd Registered in England and Wales No. 06155216 Registered Office 145-157 St John Street, London EC1V 4PY www.stagescripts.com ROYALTY FEES A royalty fee is payable every time ‘Starblaze’ is performed in front of an audience irrespective of whether that audience pays for attending or not. Producing organisations MUST obtain a ‘Licence To Perform’ from the address above prior to starting rehearsals. Producing Organisations are prohibited from making video recordings of rehearsals or performances of ‘Starblaze’ without the prior permission of the copyright owner or their agent. NOTE : The act of preparing material in quantities sufficient to rehearse a performance of ‘Starblaze’ will be taken as intent to stage such a performance should litigation be necessary in the event of non-payment of Royalty Fees later found to be due. Preview Script (based on ISBN 978-1904458951, Order Code SA-0142) Synopsis Starblaze is a contemporary 60 minute rock musical in three scenes designed for today’s school students (or theatrical groups wanting to stage an up tempo family show). It is a fantasy set in the future, consequently costuming and scenery can be designed in a variety of styles on a simple or elaborate scale depending on available resources. Similarly, although it can be staged with a relatively small cast, it is possible to considerably expand the cast numbers. It tells the story of a group of female freedom fighters on board the spaceship ‘Vigilant’. After a space battle they capture the evil dictator Odium and his Heavies. However, with the assistance of the traitorous genius Dr Sneech, Odium captures the ship and forces it to land on the Planet Zodark. All the pirates are taken under guard to Zodark City except Sandy, the daughter of the captain who manages to escape. Alone and frightened in the outlands of Zodark she meets a young Zodark called Astro and after an initial period of mutual suspicion, the two become friends. However they are quickly captured by a band of roaming monsters called the Horriffs whose personal appearance is so repulsive that for years they have struck fear into all Zodarks. But it transpires that they are in fact ‘misunderstood monsters’ who simply want to be friendly to everyone. Back in Zodark City, Odium is preparing to execute the pirates. When the Zodark leader protests, he too is condemned to die. Just as the Heavies are raising their weapons, the Horriffs, led by Sandy and Astro burst in, overcome the Heavies and capture Odium, whereupon peace and harmony is restored. Each of the major groups in the story is designed specifically to appeal to school pupils. The main group, the Space Pirates, creates the opportunity for girls to play a female role in which singing and dancing is combined with drama on a group or individual scale. Similarly the Zodarks (the star people) appeal to girls who prefer a gentler role. The role of the Horriffs has proved to be very popular with both sexes as it involves acting the part of lumbering monsters whose fearsome appearance combined with their awkward antics invariably invokes a strong audience response. The paramilitary characteristics of the Heavies who guard the dictator Odium appeal particularly to boys. In each of the groups there is ample opportunity for the development of cameo roles. The lead roles are principally designed for girls. Several (eg Sandy and Astro) involve acting and singing. Others, although having no solo numbers, do provide the opportunity for singing in choral parts if desired. Two lead roles are provided for boys - Odium (the dictator) who has one solo, and Cosmo (the Zodark leader). Starblaze is a bright musical with catchy melodies that can be performed with a simple guitar/piano accompaniment or full instrumentation, and will definitely leave the audience humming on the way home. It is suitable for performance by students (aged 10+) or theatre groups seeking a production that is ideal for family audiences. Characters : Captain Sanderson (f) : space pirate leader Odium (m) : galactic dictator Sandy Sanderson (f) : teenage daughter of Capt. Sanderson Dr Sneech (m/f) : boffin with an evil streak Cosmo (m) : leader of the Zodarks Astro (f) : daughter of Cosmo Colosso (m/f) : leader of the Horriffs Space Sergeant (m/f) : Pirates 1-6 (f) : Voice (Control Room) (m/f) : 1st Horriff (m/f) : Zodarks 1-3 (m/f) : Herald (m/f) : Captain of the Guard (m/f) : Entertainers (m/f) : Choruses : : Space Pirates (f) : Heavies (m) : Horriffs (m/f) : Zodarks (m/f) i Musical Items 1) Space Overture (Instrumental) 2) Storm Warning 3) Rocket And A Roll It 4) The Highly Intelligent Dr Sneech 5) Walk The Plank 6) Coming Down 7) Dark And Strange 8) I Am Lost 9) Golden Dreams 10) Creatures 11) Horriff’s Dance (Instrumental) 12) Misunderstood Monsters 13) Act Now 14) Ask the Stars 15) Fanfare And Odium’s March (Instrumental) 16) In My Power 17) Starblaze Also by John Reynolds and Shade Smith … Valley Of The Voodons (4m, 5f + support + chorus) 60 mins Valley of the Voodons has a conservationist theme and is set on a distant planet, where the people of Zandrus are plagued by periodic attacks from the evil Voodons. Queen Fara is retiring in favour of her daughter Princess Kimnos, to the fury of her son Prince Dronos - a lazy fellow who prefers to surf with his friends. The Voodons attack the city and capture Princess Kimnos and Prince Dronos. In Voodon Valley, the creatures, in cohorts with a land despoiler Baron Wastes, are constructing a machine that will manufacture magdonite - a deadly substance that can be used in the tip of intergalactic warheads. The machine ultimately gets turned against Baron Wastes and the Voodon leader Stark, so that peace and harmony can be established on Planet Zodark. Windust (10m, 6f, 3m/f+ support + chorus) 60 mins Windust is a satire on the western movie genre. The townspeople of Little River are constantly plagued by drought and bandits. In desperation, the sheriff sends for a gunfighter called the Drongo Kid whom he has found listed in the Yellow Pages. However, the gunfighter turns out to be shortsighted and incompetent. Two of the school children, Shane and Charlotte escape into the hills where they are captured by the bandits. Realising that an attack is imminent, the school teacher persuades the sheriff to treat the bandits with kindness and generosity, a plan which backfires. However, the arrival of Professor Pecksniff, a travelling quack doctor and the erratic behaviour of the Drongo Kid save the day. It transpires that the professor is a geologist who has discovered a permanent water supply, thereby saving the town and ensuring its future prosperity. ii MUSIC #1 - ‘SPACE OVERTURE’ Scene One: The Spaceship ‘Vigilant’ As the houselights dim the gradually increasing sounds of explosions, gunfire and revving engines, backed by electronic noises are heard. These are accompanied by flashing lights of various colours. The sounds and lights cease abruptly. The curtains part revealing the dimly lit interior of the spaceship ‘Vigilant’. A control panel, on which lights are flickering, is located downstage. Above it stands a television set. The pirates, their backs to the audience, are at various places by the controls. The music commences, the stage lights up, and the pirates swing round to face the audience and move into position. MUSIC #2 – ‘STORM WARNING’ Chorus Storm Warning Storm Warning Storm Warning Storm Warning Solo 1 See on the horizon Clouds begin to roll Forces are in motion That you can’t control. See the lightning flashing Lighting up the sky. Get yourself some shelter Don’t stop to ask why. Chorus Storm Warning Solo 1 Get in out of the rain Chorus Storm warning Solo 1 We won’t tell you again Chorus Storm warning Solo 1 See the signs in the sky Chorus Storm warning Solo 1 They’re too strong to defy. Solo 1 Winds are bringing changes They’ve begun to blow Currents bringing danger Have begun to flow. Signs are all around you You have now been warned You can’t stop the forces You can’t ride the storm. Chorus Storm Warning Solo 1 Get in out of the rain Chorus Storm warning Solo 1 We won’t tell you again Chorus Storm warning Solo 1 See the signs in the sky Chorus Storm warning Solo 1 They’re too strong to defy.