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)
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
Printed
Piano Score (Paperback, A4,
215g)
Price :
£14.00
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
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
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
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
Royalties
Royalty fees are payable for each
performance given to an audience.
Obtain a formal quotation by either
completing the Application at the Credit
Card payment Checkout, or this Online
Application Form or mail-in our
printed Application
Form.
