THE YOUNG ONES
A musical comedy
Original Film Screenplay by
PETER MYERS & RONNIE CASS
Songs by Peter Myers & Ronnie Cass
plus other various composers
Stage adaptation devised and written by
JOHN PLEWS
THE YOUNG ONES
by arrangement with Canal + image UK and EMI Music Publishing
Copyright Ovation 2007
John Plews:
(+44) 07973 502 189
www.ovationtheatres.com
INTRODUCTION
The Young Ones was originally written as a screen vehicle for Cliff Richard, at the time, Britain’s answer to Elvis. The film was made and released in 1961. The single “The Young Ones” became a number one hit in January 1962. This adaptation for the stage contains all the songs from the film plus four other top ten hits. Songs include Livin’ Doll, We Say Yeah, Please Don’t Tease, Do You Wanna Dance and, of course, The Young Ones. It is evocative of the early 60’s, the era that witnessed the emergence of ‘The Teenager’, the bête noir of parents and the authorities alike. For those who remember the movie the first time around, re-live your youth – for those too young, come and see what your parents (or grand-parents) held hands to in the back row of the cinema!!
The show is certainly not a homage to Cliff Richard and the link to Cliff should be played down rather than up. The actor/singer playing Nicky should not be a Cliff look-a-like, but a young leading man playing a role that was written in 1961.To help the ensemble feel of “The Young Ones”, all the characters in the show (except Hamilton) sing at least one solo song or duet.
The show can be produced with a four-piece band and a minimum cast of ten (with some doubling).
Five Male / 5 Female -Act I runs approx 55 minutes and Act II runs approx 45 minutes.
SETTING
The action takes place over nine days during the summer of 1961. The setting switches between a west London youth club, a property developers office and the interior of The Empire Theatre, Finsbury Park. There are also small scenes in a market place and a G.P.O office.
SYNOPSIS
The Young Ones is the story of a group of teenagers fighting to save their local youth club from imminent demolition at the hands of property tycoon, Hamilton Black. They decide to raise money and awareness of their plight by putting on a variety show, promising that a mystery singer will top the bill. But who is this heart-throb hipster who will whip the local teenagers into a frenzy and help raise enough cash to save the day? What is his connection to the property tycoon? Who is the “famous French singer” drafted in to help? All is revealed with much song and dance.
CAST BREAKDOWN
YOUTH CLUB MEMBERS (all late teens / early twenties)
NICKY………………………………………………………………….Youth Club Leader
ERNEST………………………………………………………………..Solicitors Clerk
JIMMY………………………………………………………………….Cheeky Chappie
CHRIS…………………………………………………………………..Rock ‘n’ Roll Fan
TONI……………………………………………………………………..Full of New Ideas – Nicky’s Girlfriend
WENDY………………………………………………………………..Vivacious – Ernest’s Girlfriend
PAM……………………………………………………………………..Up for a Laugh – Jimmy’s Girlfriend
BARBARA……………………………………………………………Born Organiser – Chris’s Girlfriend
ALMA……………………………………………………………………New Member of the Club
HAMILTON BLACK (aged 50-55)…………….Nicky’s Father – Property Tycoon
OTHER PARTS (To be played by members of the company)
DORINDA MORRELL (Alma)………………………….Famous French Singer
MR DENCH (Jimmy)……………………………………….Solicitor
WATTS (Ernest)…………………………………………………GPO Supervisor
WINNIE (Wendy)………………………………………………Assistant to Watts
POLICE OFFICER (Hamilton Black)…………….Chief Inspector
WOMAN (Pam)………………………………………………….In the Market
STAGE SET
The opening scene is “London exterior”. However this can be represented by lighting as, after a few lines, the company begin to arrange all the props and furniture in the youth club so that the club is ready for the Friday night dance by the end of the song. The scenes in Act I then switch between the youth club and Hamilton Black’s office.
Act II takes place in The Empire Theatre Finsbury Park, which was built in 1910 and closed in May 1960. It would have been empty , gathering dust, for over a year by the time the youth club members move in. There are some short scenes in the G.P.O office, a market and the theatre dressing room.
For reference “The Young Ones” – the movie, is still available on DVD.
THE SONGS
ACT ONE
| PAGE | SONG | CHARACTER |
| 9 | FRIDAY NIGHT | FULL COMPANY |
| 10 | GOT A FUNNY FEELING (1) | NICKY |
| 13 | PEACE PIPE | BAND (INSTRUMENTAL) |
| 13 | NOTHING’S IMPOSSIBLE | ERNEST AND WENDY |
| 19 | NOTHING’S IMPOSSIBLE (REPRISE) | FULL COMPANY |
| 20 | GOT A FUNNY FEELING (2) | CHRIS |
| 25 | THE YOUNG ONES | NICKY |
| 27 | DO YOU WANNA DANCE | BARBARA |
| 29 | PLEASE DON’T TEASE | CHRIS |
| 30 | LESSONS IN LOVE (1) | NICKY AND TONI |
| 31 | LESSONS IN LOVE (2) | NICKY AND DORINDA |
| 34 | ALL FOR ONE | FULL COMPANY |
ACT TWO
| PAGE | SONG | CHARACTER |
| 39 | WHAT D’YOU KNOW, WE GOT A SHOW | TONI & FULL COMPANY |
| 45 | WHEN THE GIRL IN YOUR ARMS | NICKY |
| 51 | LESSONS IN LOVE (3) | NICKY & DORINDA |
| 51 | NO ONE FOR ME BUT NICKY | TONI |
| 53 | ALL FOR ONE (REPRISE) | FULL COMPANY |
| 54 | NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN | JIMMY |
| 56 | I LOVE YOU | PAM |
| 60 | WHEN THE GIRL IN YOUR ARMS (REPRISE) | NICKY |
| 60 | WE SAY YEAH | NICKY AND FULL COMPANY |
| 61 | THE SAVAGE | BAND (INSTRUMENTAL) |
| 61 | LIVIN’ DOLL | NICKY |
| 62 | WE SAY YEAH (REPRISE) | NICKY AND FULL COMPANY |
| 62 | WHAT D’YOU KNOW, WE GOT A SHOW (REPRISE) | DORINDA & FULL COMPANY |
MUSICAL NUMBERS - DESCRIPTION
Friday Night: Opening line from Chris was an iconic moment in the film. Full Company. The band should be part of the group setting up the youth club so this number should be sung to a backing track (available from Ovation).
Got A Funny Feeling: Nicky’s opening song. Used as the “Cliff is just like Elvis” song when the film was made in 1961.
Peace Pipe: Showcase for the band’s guitarist.
Nothing’s Impossible: Duet for Ernest & Wendy plus all the youth club members.
The Young Ones: Iconic title song. The audience (of all ages) usually sing along. The two strong opening chords should link the last line of Toni’s dialogue with Nicky’s opening line of the song.
Do You Wanna Dance: Not in the movie. Part of a “double A side” hit for Cliff in 1962.
Please Don’t Tease: Number One hit for Cliff, before The Young Ones, in 1960.
Lessons In Love: Tongue-in-cheek duet for the “French” guest artist Dorinda Morrell.
All For One: Classic Pete Myers / Ronnie Cass company song to close the first half.
What D’You Know We Got A Show: Medley of British Music Hall songs. The entire cast (except Hamilton) star in the show within a show. Should be fast paced, almost frenetic.
When the Girl in Your Arms: The song of the mystery singer. A ballad with acoustic guitar.
No One For Me But Nicky: Vehicle for Toni. Purists will say it comes in the first half of the film but it sits nicely in Act II of this adaptation.
Nine Times out of Ten: Another pre “Young Ones” hit for Cliff. A fifties style rock ‘n’ roll hit to give Jimmy a showcase
I Love You: Another song not in the movie ( a number one in 1960). All part of the sub-plot, it’s Pam’s turn to shine as she “answers” Jimmy’s song ‘Nine times out of Ten.
We Say Yeah: Nicky back to his rock n’ roll style with full company backing.
The Savage: Chance for the drummer to shine as the rest of the band take up their positions and then launch into the famous “Shadows Walk” for the guitar solo.
Livin Doll: Used sparingly in the movie this is a definite highlight of the show and, as with The Young Ones, the audience will probably sing along!
Reprise of What Do You Know: Dorinda takes initial lead as the song is used for the bows. Hamilton is brought back to the stage to re-inact the Robert Morley “dance routine” from the film.
RECORDED MUSIC
Walk In: A compilation of 1961 / 62 hits as long as they are not Cliff Richard songs from the show.
Opening Song: “Friday Night” should be performed to a backing track as the band should be setting up their instruments, joining the youth club members who are getting ready etc. Track is available from Ovation or can be re-recorded using the film sound track as a reference.
Walk Out / In – Interval: The Shadows greatest (Sixties) hits.
Walk Out After the Bows: The Shadows – Wonderful Land
SOUND EFFECTS
The television sequences should be recorded using a newsreader (the producers of the 2007 version persuaded Richard Baker to come out of retirement). The sequences should be played back through a video screen (made to look like a sixties television) built into the set. “When the Girl in Your Arms” needs pre-recording by Nicky to use in the “broadcast” sequence. Toni’s voice-overs should also be pre-recorded.
MICS
Modern radio mics can be used if well hidden. However, it’s a nice touch if the band’s mic that Nicky uses for Got A Funny Feeling, Lessons In Love, We Say Yeah and Livin’ Doll is an old fashioned Shure skull type mic ( Shure 55SH Series II ).
BAND
Minimum requirement is a four piece band. Piano / Keyboards, Guitar, Bass, Drums. It’s useful if the keyboard has a string sound for The Young Ones and the pianist can play Rhythm guitar (or fake it) for The Savage and the “Shadows Walk”. The drummer will need a cowbell, blocks and lots of “toys” for “What D’You Know We Got A Show”.
RIGHTS
The professional and amateur rights to the stage musical “The Young Ones” are held by Ovation. For further information please contact John Plews at Ovation’s London office.
Telephone: +44 (0)7973 502 189 Email: john@ovationproductions.com
UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE
“The Young Ones” opened at Ovation’s theatre in North London on 15th December 2007 and played to 27th January 2008. For further information please look at www.youngonesthemusical.com