Plays and Musicals

AD79

Sarah Corbett, Phil Corbett & Andy Durham

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A historical musical where the audience knows the inevitable cataclysmic ending before the curtain even rises! AD 79 is the story of the lives and loves, dreams and schemes of the citizens of Roman Pompeii just prior to the earth shattering events that would leave the town forever frozen in time.

Set in the days leading up to the fateful eruption of Mount Vesuvius, we follow the dealings of Benitus, a slippery politician with his eye on the senate, his wife Valeria, a self-important bully, and his secretary Herculus, a man with a hidden agenda. We meet a young slave couple on the verge of their freedom, and the kindly family of Claudius, a successful local merchant.

We also follow the daily intrigue around the town’s markets and olive bar, where many of the town’s citizens meet up, including the enigmatic ex-soldier Octavius, who is suspiciously interested in Benitus (and his fortune), and Julia, a pregnant girl with a secret. Thrown into this mix are a pair of smart dogs and a sinister, shadowy figure - Death. He appears at the appropriate moment, to 'collect' those whose time has come.

And, come August 24th, all are caught up in the terrifying events that would leave the town of Pompeii buried under ashes for the next 1500 years.

This musical has a fresh, innovative feel to it, and is ideal for teenage or adult actors alike. With twelve super songs and plenty of chorus work, AD79 has been performed to great effect and acclaim.

Principals

Male Dog - a stray, stands up to talk when no humans are about, drops to all fours otherwise

Female Dog (Iris) - similar actions to Male Dog. Lives with Claudius's family

Benitus - a local politician, not averse to underhand or illegal methods of persuasion

Valeria - his wife; a scheming, manipulative, pampered person

Stephanus - a city shopkeeper

Maria - his wife

Julia - a young lady, in love with and made pregnant by Benitus

Octavius - a demobbed soldier, knows where Benitus keeps his money - and how to get it

Death - invisible to most until just before their time has come. A male or female character

Helvius - a male slave, offered his freedom by Claudius, his Master

Ceia - a female slave, in love with Helvius but works for Benitus

Supporting Cast

Julius - another demobbed soldier, Octavius's long-time friend

Claudius - a wealthy merchant

Marcella - his wife

Claudia - teenage daughter of Claudius and Marcella

Jana - a younger teenage daughter of Claudius and Marcella

Herculus - secretary to Benitus, plots with Octavius to steal Benitus's money

Decimus - an old man who senses approaching doom

Male Residents : Agostus, Nicdemus

Femal Residents : Petronia, Massima, Quinta, Paola, Pietra and Lucretia

Chorus of Residents, Slaves etc


(Click on a title to hear a Windows Media clip. These are demo recordings by a single vocalist)

1) Gaudiamus Igitur (Let Us Rejoice)	Chorus
2) The Soldiers Song	Octavius (with Julius and small chorus)
3) I Can Wait	Julia
4) A Partly Political Broadcast	Benitus and Octavius
5) Song Of Freedom	Helvius and Ceia
6) Pressure Rising	Chorus (2 groups - Hard Corps & Lava Louts)
~~ Interval ~~
7) Time Moves On	Solo (any cast member)
8) The Cross I Have To Bear	Valeria and Julia
9) The Sky Falls Down	Full Cast with solo (any cast member)
10) Bring Out The Dead	Death (with male chorus)
11) Crossing The River	Octavius, Dogs, Helvius/Ceia, Benitus & Chorus
12) The Roll Call	Full Cast (with optional solo parts)

Printed Script (Paperback, A4, 120g)
Order a rehearsal quantity of 27 scripts to provide one each to the principal and supporting actors, one to the Director and two for Backstage staff.

Price :	£ 6.50	Quantity :

Printed Piano Score (Paperback, A4, 215g)

Price :	£14.00	Quantity :

Backing Tracks CD (65g)
All the musical backing you need for a performance if you have no orchestra. Also useable for rehearsals.

Price :	£12.75	Quantity :

Sound Effects CD (65g)
Rumbles, eruptions, screaming, ash falling, buildings collapsing and all the other sounds required to create both the foreground sounds and the the underlying background atmosphere.

Price :	£ 6.75	Quantity :

Demo Vocal CD (65g)
All of the songs from the show sung to the backing tracks, by a multi-voiced female singer.

Price :	£ 6.75	Quantity :

Perusal Service
Rent a script, piano score and a vocal sampler CD. Max of three titles on any one occasion. See Perusal Service for further details. UK Customers only. The minimum shipping charge applies.

Price :	£ 2.50	Quantity :	1

Royalties
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