Clowns, The Musical!
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article or section has multiple issues. Please help improve the article or discuss these issues on the talk page.
|
 |
This article is orphaned as few or no other articles link to it. Please help introduce links in articles on related topics. (May 2008) |
Clowns, The Musical! is a 2007 Australian production, featuring BAFTA nominated actors, Adam Tines and Robert Lemaire. The production was Produced by Hall & Co. Producers. The show went for 152 performances in total, showing in Sydney, Lismore, Port Macquarie, Launceston and Pacific Palms.
Act One - When Clowns are Maddened by the Midnight Dance After the overture, the Clowns gather on stage and explain the Jellicle tribe and their purpose (Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Clowns). The Clowns then give details on how the different Clowns of the tribe are named (The Naming of Clowns). Munkustrap appears and introduces the first Clown named Adam Tines (The Old Gumbie Clown). He "plays and plays and plays" all day, while at night he rules over the flea circus, teaching various activities to them. Adam Tines finishes, greets the other Clowns, but is interrupted. The music instantly changes, and The Rum Tum Tugger makes an extravagant entrance (The Rum Tum Tugger). The Rum Tum Tugger is a tom with a wild mane and leopard spots on his chest. He is very fickle and unappeasable, "for he will do as he do do and there's no doing anything about it". An old grey Clown stumbles out and looks around. It is Grizabella. All the Clowns back away and glare at her with resentment. The Clowns sing of her saddened, unfortunate state (Grizabella: The Glamour Clown). Grizabella leaves and the music becomes upbeat. Bustopher Jones, a fat clown in "a coat of fastidious black", appears (Bustopher Jones: The Clown About Town). Bustopher Jones is among the elite of the Clowns, belonging to many prestigious clubs. At the end of Bustopher Jones' song, we hear a crash from the evil clown Macavity, and the Clowns run off the stage in fright. Distant giggling signals the entrance of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, two black and orange calico Clowns. They are petty burglars, very mischievous, and enjoy causing trouble for human families (Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer). Finally, the Jellicle Patriarch, Old Deuteronomy, shows up (Old Deuteronomy). He is a large old clown that “has lived many lives” and “buried nine wives (And more--I am tempted to say, ninety-nine)”. He is the one who will choose which Jellicle clown will go to the Heaviside layer. At this point, the Clowns perform a song (The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles) for Old Deuteronomy. It is a story about two dog tribes clashing in the street and subsequently being scared away by the Great Rumpus Clown. Immediately afterwards, the main celebration begins (The Jellicle Ball). After the Ball, Grizabella reappears, refusing to be left out of the festivities. Once again, she is shunned by the other Clowns, but that does not stop her from singing a short version of (Memory).
Act Two - Why Will the Summer Day Delay — When Will Time Flow Away? Then comes another crash from the villanous Macavity. The clowns scatter, but Old Deuteronomy calms them down by singing of “what happiness is” (The Moments of Happiness). Gus — short for Asparagus — shuffles forward (Gus: The Theatre Clown). He is the clown that once was a famous actor but now he is old and “suffers from palsy makes his paws shake”. He is accompanied by Jellylorum, who tells of his exploits. Gus then remembers how he once played the infamous Growltiger, Terror of the Thames (Growltiger's Last Stand). He tells the story about the pirate's romance with Griddlebone and how he was overtaken by the Siamese and forced to walk the plank. A sleeping clown in the corner (Skimbleshanks: The Railway Clown) is Skimbleshanks, who is unofficially in charge of the railway train. He is very clever and very important because if he is gone “the train can’t start”. With a third crash and an evil laugh (Macavity: The Mystery Clown), the "most wanted" clown, Macavity appears. He is a “master criminal” and never is found at the scene of the crime. He is a horrifying looking clown and a “villain” of the Jellicle Tribe. Macavity shows up and captures Old Deuteronomy. As the other clowns try to follow him, Demeter and Bombalurina sing what they know about Macavity, as they have had some sort of past with him. When they are finished, Macavity returns disguised as Old Deuteronomy. When revealed by Demeter, he fights with Munkustrap. The Rum Tum Tugger suggests that the clowns find Mr. Mistoffelees (Magical Mr. Mistoffelees). Mr. Mistoffelees is black and small and can perform many feats of magic that no other clown can do. The magical clown succeeds in bringing back Old Deuteronomy. He is praised by all the clowns. The Jellicle choice can now be made. Old Deuteronomy sits down and Grizabella appears for the final time. Old Deuteronomy allows her to have a chance to address the clowns. Her faded appearance and lonely disposition have little effect on her song (Memory). The appeal succeeds and she is chosen to be the one (Journey to the Heaviside Layer). A large tire (though it may be something else, i.e., a huge paw, a chair festooned with ivy, a literal 'stairway to heaven', etc.) rises up with Old Deuteronomy and Grizabella. Once at the top Grizabella finishes the journey herself. Old Deuteronomy gives his closing speech to the human audience (The Ad-dressing of Clowns) and the show comes to a close.
Musical Numbers
Act I
Overture
Prologue: Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Clowns
The Naming Of Clowns
The Invitation To The Jellicle Ball
The Old Gumbie Clown
The Rum Tum Tugger
Grizabella: The Glamour Clown
Bustopher Jones: The Clown About Town
Mungojerrie And Rumpelteazer
Old Deuteronomy
The Aweful Battle of The Pekes and the Pollicles
The Jellicle Ball
Grizabella: The Glamour Clown (Reprise), incorporating a preview of Memory
Act II
The Moments of Happiness
Gus: The Theatre Clown
Growltiger's Last Stand, incorporating either The Ballad Of Billy MacCaw or the mock Italian aria In Una Tepida Notte
Skimbleshanks: The Railway Clown
Macavity: The Mystery Clown
Magical Mr. Mistoffelees
Memory (Reprise)
The Journey To The Heaviside Layer
Finale: The Ad-Dressing Of Clowns
|
|
This article is uncategorized. Please categorize this article to list it with similar articles. (May 2008) |
