n/a

Perth Western Australia

2007

All Saints Players

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I don't think the play has been published but you could try abebooks.com
or the playwright direct where their email is shown at the top of the page

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Comedy

5

4

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Mad-Cap Comedy with songs in homage to the failing Music Halls of the 1930s. The Gaiety Music Hall has seen better days - by the 1930s it's tired - worn out. The building's sagging under the weight of under-investment, it's under threat of compulsory purchase. Audiences dwindle. Times are a-changing. Radio is the big thing, old time variety shows are feeling the pinch. To make matters worse The Gaiety acts are second rate. The Gaiety only attracts those who the fashionable Alhambra Variety Hall doesn't want. What's more The Gaiety's top-of-the-bill, that vivacious flapper, Polly Perkins, has been poached. Tempted away from The Gaiety and the arms of Dylan (Taff) Davids, the manager, by loads of dosh. The hussy! Is this the death knell for the Gaiety? Heart broken, Taff is downcast pining for his lost love. Mrs Eversley, the joanna player, is worried about him - he's not even fancying a nibble of a Huntley and Palmers. All the turns are hoping for a miracle - word has it the batty old biddy who owns The Gaiety, American widow, Viola Van de Vere - 74 if she's a day - with sights on Taff is threatening a stage comeback as Sochohontas, the Singing Squaw from Saskatoon unless the rent is paid on time: now that is scary. Taff knows the turns aren't top notch. They've got troubles of their own. Love torn Dickey Bird's hitting the bottle. He does a runner after a confidence crisis on stage - Vespa Lynd, the 45 year old 'child star' is wallowing in grief. While right under their noses - young Lovely, the long legged Sand Dancer Betty is bored of the old soft shoe shuffle routine and longs for the big time, as a proper singer like Gracie Fields. If only she could get a break! Meanwhile, backstage, the ever so particular, André de la Rue, Dresser to the Stars, breaks a nail and goes all unnecessary, as the weight challenged, Sid Hissins, (the useless animal act,) is having trouble with his wand. A big problem when Monty the python goes walkabout after the white mice which have skedaddled. They all agree Sid's raucous parrot won't do the trick. What's needed is a new leading lady. A brand spanking new star - not that they can afford one and the Alhambra is across the square. In their darkest hour Stagehand Jimmy thinks he's dreaming. He's heard an angel singing. That show stopping voice belongs to . . .our Betty? A happy ending? Well - Yes and No! The Gaiety's cast get a wake up call. Noses are put out of joint. Then Hooray! The prodigal Dickey comes home. But, as The Burslem Bombshell - togged up in Polly's stage frock - belts her heart out to save the day - what do they hear? Is that bells ringing? Gawd above: the fire-eating moggie act , Charlie Clackton, has had a bad day and gone and set the Alhambra on fire. Hey Up! It's an ill wind.