“TIE-BREAK”
BY
Chris Turner

Music & Book By CHRIS TURNER
Lyrics By CHRIS TURNER & TONY BARLOW

© APRIL 2007 - EIGHTH DRAFT

Intellectual Property Protected by Copyright
© Registered at “Stationers’ Hall Registry”
Registration Certificate No. B10/1534/40532

‘TIEBREAK’…
… A conventional book musical consisting book, music and lyrics;
Centred on the game of TENNIS;
Set in the late 1970s and into early1980s,
Employing a main cast of 9, Supporting Cast,
… 7 to 10 Piece Band;
Consisting Contemporary Popular Music & Song …


BOOK SYNOPSIS


ACT I

ACT IScene 1A & 1B – GRAND SLAM FINALS DAY CENTRE COURT
Beginning at the end, the story opens with Nick and Ben preparing for the match-deciding tiebreaker in the final set of a Major Grand Slam final. (Or Davis cup?).
Following the opening production song… `Tiebreaker - Gotta Love The Game´ …
…They warm up against the background of a recorded interview when we hear that the two men, now aged 21, have been playing each other almost all their lives. As the umpire spins a coin the action freezes and the story flashes back 4 years.

Scene 2A - SCENE CHANGE – LOCAL TENNIS CLUB
Danny, the Coach, is conducting what appears at first to be a disorganised training session with a group of juniors and parents at the local tennis club.
However, the chaos develops into a disciplined and choreographed routine as their movements become the dance (almost a line dance); the sounds of the bouncing, hitting, skipping, etc. become the rhythm; and Danny’s keywords and instructions become the lyrics and melody to the production song… `The Fundamental 5 Jive´

Scene 2B
All leave except for Nick, Emma, Danny and Jenny! Nick is about to meet Benjamin Pipe, a renowned cheat and spoilt brat, in the semi-final of the prestigious County Junior Championships. The outcome of this tournament will be a deciding factor in the County’s Junior Tennis Scholarship Programme, of which both Nick and Ben are candidates. They discuss the impending match. Danny & Jenny exit.

Scene 2C
Club members start to arrive and one smug, arrogant individual, whom Nick later learns is Ben Pipe’s father, takes exception to Nick and Emma playing on Seniors´ club night. Nick, pretending to be useless, suggests first that the man give him some tips on how to improve his game and then suggests that they play for money. Inevitably, Nick humiliates the man in front of everyone.
Emma commentates from the umpire’s chair as she; Nick and Pipe sing the macabre and mocking song… `All Down the Line´

Scene 3
At the County Junior Championships, Nick plays Ben in the semi–final, (a simulated tennis match). Nick expects Ben’s underhandedness as usual. Ben has all the top designer racquets and equipment, whereas Nick has his mother’s old bat and is wearing old school kit. Nick is honest and fair, but Ben has to cheat to win, and takes advantage of the lack of linesman! (At this level of junior tennis, the players would trust each other to call their own lines). Unfortunately, neither Danny or Jenny are able to attend the match, but Emma, his girlfriend, is there to support him as she has done since they were children. Ben’s father, Pipe, provokes Nick, displaying his bad sportsmanship, clapping double faults and applauding bad calls…
Ben cheats unbelievably. Emma watches helplessly as a shortsighted umpire, who happens to be friend of Pipe, makes the situation worse. Nick threatens Ben for his cheating and the two have a scuffle on court. Pipe interferes. Nick loses heart and the match slips away. He refuses to shake Ben’s hand after the match and the two become archenemies from that moment.
The simulated match and dialogue is interwoven with the song duet…
`Cheat to Win, Don’t Cheat to Win!´
Scene 4 –SCENE CHANGE – NICK’S HOUSE
Nick arrives home to find his mum, Jenny and Danny talking over a cup of tea.
His pleasant surprise at seeing Danny turns to annoyance when he hears that their topic of conversation is about his future. He is obviously angry and upset after his experience of ‘unfair play’! Danny is not surprised to hear about Mr Pipe and Ben’s exploits. His life-long adversary, Danny knows Pipe well: At school they were sporting rivals, and later, unknowns to Nick, both in competition for Jenny. Pipe has never forgiven Danny for being the victor in all of their competitions, but relishes that he is now his employer at the Tennis Club. They attempt to console Nick.
Danny & Jenny reflect & remember their youth & tennis experiences in the duet ... `Golden Summer days´

Scene 5A – SCENE CHANGE – PIPÈ’S OFFICE
In his capacity as County Senior Official, and also as Club Secretary, Pipe summons Nick & Jenny to his office to discuss Nick’s tantrum and ‘disgraceful behaviour’ on court at the County Champs the other day, and it’s possible adverse affect on Nick’s impending Scholarship! Danny, as his coach, goes along for moral support. Pipe also tells them that he is a friend of Nick’s school Headmaster, and is aware of Nick’s disappointing mock exam results! (A Level results are also a deciding factor in the County’s Scholarship Programme!) Nick has been trying to balance his tennis and schoolwork, together with his relationship with Emma, and it is now time for him to consider his priorities. This year’s tournament results are also a deciding factor…
…so is his academic performance.
He also has Emma to consider. Something or someone has to be neglected…

Scene 5B
Outside Pipe’s Office, alone, Nick searches his heart, as he weighs up his priorities and decides which of the three he must neglect in the song… `Breaking all the Rules´

Scene 5C
Emma’s friend Laura enters and Nick and her talk things over. He tells Laura that he wants to explain everything to Emma and feels sure that Emma will understand that he is not going to be able to see her so regularly? They will still see each other, but just not quite so often. He asks Laura not to repeat their conversation to Emma.
Nick exits, Ben enters.
Laura immediately repeats the conversation to Ben, and confides in him about how she has always been attracted to Nick, and how jealous she is of Emma. Ben discloses his feelings for Emma & dislike of Nick. He encourages Laura to meddle.
Ben exits, Emma enters.
Laura spills the beans & warns Emma that Nick is going to finish with her in favour of his tennis & schoolwork. Emma believes Laura’s news. She has been unsure of Nick’s feelings towards her lately, and very disconcerted by Nick’s awkwardness.
Emma & Laura sing the duet… `Standing In the Wings´

Scene 6A - SCENE CHANGE – TENNIS CLUB
Nick takes a summer job at the prestigious Town & Country Tennis Club helping Head Coach Danny, as apprentice Grounds Man. Danny takes Nick under his wing. Nick’s attitude reminds Danny of himself when he was young and ambitious.
Danny reminisces and sings about his former glory days …
`The Next (or Best) New Kid In Town´

Scene 6B
Nick’s heart sinks when he sees Emma and Ben playing tennis together. They flirt outrageously, obviously for Nick’s benefit, so when Laura appears and tries to catch Nick’s attention, he responds in the same manner. In a rather loud voice, he asks her to the club dance at the weekend, which is also his 18th birthday! She accepts, enjoying the fact that she is also putting one over on Emma, who is pretending not to notice. This one-upmanship continues between the four of them until the two couples leave on opposite sides, arm in arm.

Scene 7A – SCENE CHANGE – SPLIT STAGE RIGHT – CLUBHOUSE BAR
At The Club Dance, on the evening of Nick’s 18th birthday, the open hostilities between the two young couples are still obvious. However, after a few glasses of champagne they begin to relax and enjoy the evening.
Nick is informed that, because of his excellent exam results, together with his successful tournament year, he is now almost certain of scholarship success!
To Nick’s surprise, Ben announces that he, too, has been short listed in the run up to the Scholarship results! Nick and Emma have a proper conversation for the first time since their break up and, by the end of the evening, it seems as though they will once again become a couple. As Ben dances with Laura, he appears not to care, even going so far as to say that he is pleased that they are back together.
Nick and Emma sing… `Forgive and Forget´

Scene 7B
Danny has had a little too much to drink and attempts to make a speech. Nick, Emma and Ben join in, humorously mimicking Danny. They all express their optimism as they look forward to their future!
Danny bursts into song… `Mr. Tennis Rock ‘n’ Roll´

Scene 7C – SPLIT STAGE LEFT – PIPE’S OFFICE
Meanwhile, Pipe is in his office talking on the telephone. His discussion is about his plans to scupper Nick’s Scholarship chances, and to sabotage Danny’s coaching position at the club by setting Danny up, and accuse him of stealing funds put aside for junior development! Danny, on his way outside for a breath of fresh air, overhears Pipe’s conversation! Worst for drink he enters Pipe’s office to challenge him! Pipe denies everything! After some angry exchanges, Pipe admits his plots and schemes to Danny, mockingly challenging Danny to prove them? They almost come to blows, but Danny realises that he can’t prove any of Pipe’s scheming!
A cliffhanger ending to Act One with the two of them singing a counterpoint duet…
Danny Reprises … `Mr. Tennis Rock ‘n’ Roll´
Pipe counterpoints with… `I’m Gonna Finish You´
Split Stage Right, Bar - Nick and Emma reprise last chorus of … `Forgive and Forget´

END ACT I

RE-WRITE ‘ACT II’
COMING SOON!

General Synopsis