“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 …
GENERAL NOTES
& SYNOPSIS
STORY OUTLINE
Two Sons, Three Parents, Four Friends and
a Tennis Coach!
The winner takes all … but is there ever a true winner?
Set against the backdrop of club and professional tennis, the story
follows the friendship, relationships and rivalries of two boys who
are destined to compete against each other emotionally and professionally
throughout their lives. They undergo the pressures of being in relationships,
whilst juggling school education on the one hand, with training as performance
players on the other.
In a world of extreme competition they aspire
to be champion tennis players, but the road to success is strewn with
the failings of humanity, which will test their friendship, and strength
of character right up to their nail biting TIE BREAKER finale –
But the last call is a “SPIN”? … Who will win?
The opening scene joins NICK and BEN, aged 18, preparing
for their climactic confrontation at a major Grand Slam Final.
The umpire spins a coin and, just as their match begins, the action
freezes to a blackout and the story flashes back 2 years. Aged 16, we
follow Nick and Ben’s experiences at local club level, on the
junior tennis circuit, through county training and selection. They eventually
develop into full-time tennis professionals competing on the circuit,
bringing us back to the opening scene where NICK and BEN face each other
across the net in their first major tournament final.
UNIQUE SELLING POINT (U.S.P.) No 1:
ALTERNATIVE ENDING
The Finale opens during the closing stages of the only actual real tennis
match to be played on stage. This is between the hero Nick, and his
rival Benjamin in their first major tournament final.
The scene begins at the start of the match-deciding tiebreak in the
final set. The two players actually compete in a real, not simulated,
tiebreak (average length about 10 min), the result of which is unknown,
by anybody, until the outcome of match point.
The cast have rehearsed two different final scenes, and are prepared
for either result, each Performance.
(Please see MINI - TENNIS EXPLAINED next page!)
UNIQUE SELLING POINT (U.S.P.) No 2:
TENNIS LEGENDS TO PERFORM
The part of Danny the Coach is one of the lead roles and provides much
of the humour and entertainment. It is intended that this part will
be played by one of a selection of Tennis Legends still competing, part
time, on the veteran’s circuit. These natural performers, some
of whom are already accomplished actors, singers, and/or musicians,
would be ideally suited! Trick shots, etc, would be encouraged so that
each individual player can customize the part to their own unique talents.
MINI-TENNIS EXPLAINED
Mini-Tennis is approved and endorsed by the LTA & BTCA who use this
innovative sport to introduce 4 to 8 year olds to the game of tennis.
Their nationally standardised junior county training scheme includes
mini tennis leagues and tournaments from local school level up to the
mini tennis competition during Wimbledon fortnight.
• Imagine a badminton court with the net lowered, so that the
bottom of the net touches the ground.
• Imagine a small duplicate tennis racquet.
• Imagine a tennis ball made of foam or sponge that, no matter
how hard it’s struck, absorbs the power and slows down during
its flight-path to suit the shortened length of the court, yet still
bounces at the correct height, and still responds to spin. Also brightly
coloured and spectator-friendly.
In other words, imagine the game of tennis in miniature,
proportionally reduced, but otherwise as realistic as the full-scale
game, employing all the shots & tactics of tennis so that a match
between Andy Roddick and Roger Federer would still be as spectacular
and exciting as if it were on Centre Court at Wimbledon.
PUT SIMPLY ……THE COURT SIZE CAN BE ADAPTED TO SUIT THE SIZE
OF THE STAGE !
BACKGROUND TO THE ERA
This was a very entertaining and exciting era in the evolution of the
game of tennis. Many characters and crowd-pullers were in competition.
Legendary veterans such as Laver & Rosewall, Newcombe & Smith,
Court & Casals were approaching their latter years, still driven
by the prospect of victory, and eager to put in their place newcomers
and upstarts such as McEnroe, Connors & Borg. Chris Evert battled
to take Billy Jean King’s crown while a young Martina Navratilova
was on their heels, to later dominate the ladies circuit throughout
the 80s. Other contemporaries included Tanner, Nastase, Villas, Tracy
Austin & Yvonne Cawley (Goolagong).
The British contingency included Cox, Taylor, Wade, Barker, Mottram
and, of course, the Lloyd brothers with their famous Davis Cup battles.
Big money was invested into the game. Tennis was fast becoming a world
leader in spectator sport.
STAGING
TIEBREAK the musical is intended at 2 hours’ length with a 20-minute
interval.
The set is a green tennis court laid flat on the stage.
It may be more practical not to stage the work in a conventional proscenium-arch
theatre with a picture-box stage, but to use instead theatre-in-the-round,
with the audience surrounding the set on three sides.
(This does not, however, preclude the use of the more conventional style
of theatre!)
This opens up two interesting concepts in terms of potential venues.
At a major level, theatres could be used that have been designed along
the lines of The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.
Also, we must not rule out the possibility of using actual Sporting
Arenas such as one of the show courts in any of the 4 major Grand Slams!
On a smaller scale, tours could be organised of studio theatres, and,
where banks of portable seating are available, sports halls and school
halls. This certainly opens up the potential of working in partnership
with sporting, educational and training organisations.
Up to the finale, (the tiebreak duel), the net is only suggested by
a line shadow across the middle of the court, brought in at times of
dramatic conflict. For the finale itself, a real net is erected and
a real game played.
Up to that point, the flat-floor rectangular set provides the appropriate
arena for the dramatic movement that arises from the interactions of
characters and situations within the context of the game of tennis.
The sensation of the passage of time is created on the clock and scoreboard
on the audience-free side.
Throughout the show, there would be one Tennis court or Tennis area
permanently set upstage, but moveable as and when necessary!
To portray different times and places, the sets, scenery and backdrops
would change around the court area!
CHARACTERS
NICK (the hero): Honest, working-class, hard-working, sense of fair
play.
A likeable, cheeky youngster who matures into a handsome, strong athlete.
The main story revolves around Nick as he searches his heart, having
to prioritise between his tennis, his schoolwork and his girlfriend!
Which of the three must he neglect?
BEN (the rival): NICK’s archenemy from childhood,
a spoilt rich kid, smug and a cheat throughout Act I; his character
improves during Act II, as he matures and rebels against his father,
who is the real antagonist.
BEN and NICK eventually become friendly rivals – or do they?
EMMA (the heroine): NICK’s best friend from
childhood. Without realizing it, she and NICK have always been in love,
and this love grows stronger. Always there to support Nick, but Nick
often does not realize or reciprocate this!
LAURA (Emma’s friend): Or is she? Beneath
the harmless bimbo exterior beats the heart of a practised schemer and
manipulator, who secretly fancies NICK.
DANNY (the Tennis Coach): early 40s, liked and respected
by all; former world-class contender who never quite realised his full
potential (his career high was reaching the Wimbledon final). Dedicated
to passing on his vast experience and knowledge to the club’s
juniors, he continually battles with the Club Chairman, Pipe, over their
rights as club members, (e.g. court time, coaching hours, facilities,
etc,)! He is Nick’s, and all the juniors’ hero.
JENNY (Nick’s mother): Earthy, gutsy, working-class
hero. A single parent, always struggling to get by and make ends meet!
Dedicated to her son and his well-being. Now good friends, she and Danny
are former lovers who nearly married years before, but Danny left the
area to pursue his tennis career!
Mr Pipe, (Ben’s Father): Rich, upper-class
social climbing twit. Always pulling strings. Thinks he can buy everyone
and everything. He’s chairman of the Tennis Club. Not a supporter
of the club’s junior contingency, he is continually battling with
Danny, the Coach, over the juniors and their rights as club members!
He has always bullied his son Ben, constantly pulling him down and disapproving.
He always advised his son to cheat and be underhanded, just like he
is. Ben’s father becomes the real antagonist, as Ben turns against
him during Act II.
Mrs Pipe: (Ben’s mother): an upmarket, sophisticated
woman. Always a little tipsy, she is constantly ridiculing and mocking
her husband! She secretly sympathises with, and admires Nick’s
mother. A humorous character.
Kas Fish: (the Sports Agent): a seedy, unscrupulous
and diabolical character who earns his living by setting up sponsorships
and promotional deals for up-and-coming sports stars, and then proceeds
to exploit them for his 15% at the very minimum.
Supporting Cast Members
BORG, McENROE, CONNORS & NASTASE: Caricatures of the four tennis
legends, who appear at the start of Act II during a practice session
which includes trademark idiosyncrasies such as McENROE’s “You
cannot be serious!” and CONNORS’ grunt. These ‘catch-phrases’
evolve into a comedy song.
TV COMMENTATOR (doubles as sports agent?)
SPECTATORS & PRESS double as TENNIS PLAYERS, TENNIS GROUPIES, LINESMEN/WOMEN;
BALL-BOYS & BALL-GIRLS double as JUNIOR PLAYERS;
SONG ANALYSIS/SCENE
BREAKDOWN
ACT I
(Click on underlined songs to listen to music
or click on lyrics to read them)
| SCENE |
CHARACTER(S) |
SONG |
STYLE |
CONTENT |
1A) Grand Slam
Finals Day Venue |
Full Cast
Production No.
|
Tie-Breaker (lyrics) |
Funk/Rock |
Establishes the scene |
| 1B) Beginning at the
end, a TV commentator talks live on air as Nick & Ben (Aged
18), warm up for their Final confrontation! The Umpire Spins a Coin...
The action Freezes... FLASHBACK 2 YEARS! |
| Scene Change |
|
|
|
|
| 2A) Local Tennis Club |
Danny & Full Cast |
Fundamental 5 Jive (lyrics) |
Fast Rhythm R & R
|
Explains basic Tennis Techniques |
| 2B) Nick, Danny & Jenny discuss
Nick's forthcoming match against renowned cheat Ben! |
| 2C) Local Tennis Club |
Emma, Pipe, Nick & Club
Players |
All
Down the Line (lyrics) |
Comedy
Jazz-Waltz |
Macabre, Mocking
Club Players |
| 3) County Junior Champs |
Nick & Ben, The Pipes &
Emma |
Cheat to Win;Don't Cheat to Win!
(lyrics)
|
Duet: On Court
Dual/Battle Song |
Cheating versus Fair Play |
| Scene Change |
|
| 4) Nick's Home |
Danny & Jenny |
Golden
Summer Days (lyrics) |
Latin Rhythm |
Reminiscent - Remember former Tennis Years |
| Scene Change |
|
|
|
|
5A) Nick, Jenny and Danny are summoned
to Pipe’s office to discuss his tantrum and display of bad
conduct
during his match against Ben. That, and his poor school exam results,
could jeopardise his LTA Funding! |
| 5B) Outside Office |
Nick |
Breakin
all the Rules (lyrics) |
Slow Prog Rock |
Reflective - Questioning his future |
| 5C) Same place |
Emma & Laura |
Standing
in the Wings (lyrics) |
Duet/Ballad |
Reflective
Emma's love for Nick |
Nick and Laura discuss Nick’s
feelings towards Emma, and how things will have to change.
Nick exits, Ben enters! Ben and Laura gleefully discuss Nick and
Emma’s splitting up!
Ben exits, Emma enters! Laura sneakily repeats her and Nick’s
conversation! Emma is upset! |
| Scene Change |
| 6A) Local Tennis Club |
Danny |
Next
New Kid in Town (lyrics) |
Up-Beat Country Swing |
Reflective / Reminisces on his
junior tennis days |
| 6B) Ensemble scene where Ben,
Emma, Nick & Laura try, by one-upmanship, to make each other
jealous! |
| Scene Change
Split Stage Right - Clubhouse Bar |
| 7A) Clubhouse |
Nick & Emma |
Forgive
and Forget lyrics) |
Ballad |
Reconciliation |
Nick, Laura, Ben &
Emma are at the club dance, daggers towards each other, but each
secretly wishing
that they could forgive and forget, and get back together again?
Each too proud to make the first move!
All other supporting characters also present! Pipe in his office,
Mrs Pipe flirting with Danny (both tipsy!) |
| 7B) Clubhouse |
Danny & Cast |
Mr. Tennis Rock 'n' Roll lyrics) |
Rock 'n' Roll (Rap) |
Celebration |
| Split Stage Left - Pipe's Office |
| 7C) Danny overhears Pipe’s
telephone conversation! Pipe is about to scupper Nick’s
Scholarship chances
and get Danny sacked, by accusing him of stealing from the club’s
coaching proceeds!
Danny challenges Pipe! Pipe denies everything, but finally admits
his scheming, mockingly challenging
Danny to prove it! They almost come to blows! Danny realises that
he can’t prove any of Pipe’s schemes!
Cliff-hanger ending to Act I, as the two men sing the counterpoint
duet:-
|
| Danny Reprises
... Mr Tennis Rock 'n' Roll lyrics)
..... |
| Pipe counterpoints
with ... I'm Gonna Finish You ....' |
| Slit Stage Right Clubhouse
Bar - Nick and Emma reprise last chorus of ... Forgive
and Forget lyrics)
|
END ACT I |
ACT
II
NB. As the curtain opens, there is a short
reprise of the opening production number 'Tiebreaker'
Flash forward 2 years to start of Grand Slam Tournament
(NB. Scenes 2, 5 & 9 are still to be written into final
draft!)
| SCENE |
CHARACTER(S) |
SONG |
STYLE |
CONTENT |
| 1A) Grand Slam Practice
Courts |
Mc.Engob, Corners,
Nasteeze& Bord
McEngob Bord
Corners Nasteeze |
The Performance Factor 4
(lyrics)
|
Comedy Soft-Shoe |
Ensemble, Famous Catch
phrases of Fab 4. |
| 2) Scene re-establishing Nick &
Emma's ON/OFF relationship for the past 2 years,and the fact that
they are back together yet again! Also re-establish Nick & Ben's
rivalry, and where Laura stands? |
| 3) Nick has drawn one of the Fab
4 in the first round (probably McEngob) |
| Changing Room before the match |
Nick & One of the Fab4 |
Showdown
Time (lyrics) |
Slow Prog Rock Duet |
Youth/Enthusiasm vs Experience/Treachery |
| 4A) Changing rooms after the match
in Scene 2. A comic scene with Nick , opponent and Danny! |
| 4B) Press Conference |
Sports Manager |
Sign
on the Dotted Line (lyrics) |
R&B |
Sinister, Mr. 15% |
| Scene Change |
| 5) Scene and Song portraying Nick
& Ben's route to the final! |
| 6) Nick cancels date yet again
with Emma! Ben lies to Emma about Nick's whereabouts! He says that
Nick is with Laura, when really he is training for his forthcoming
final? |
| 7A) Jenny tells Danny that Nick
is his son. |
| 7B) Nick's house |
Jenny & Danny |
I'll Love You Once Again |
Ballad |
Tells Danny that he is Nick's Father. |
| 8A)Danny tells Nick
that he is his Father! (Short Reprise Next
New Kid In Town') |
| Scene Change |
| 8B) Grand Slam Finals day |
Danny & Nick Mr.Goff
& Pipe (&Ben) |
Into the Zone (lyrics) |
Rock |
Counterpoint cheating
v honesty |
|
8C) Pipe enters
to speak to Ben. He has to lie low for a while because his embezzlement
of the club’s funds is
about to be discovered. Ben sees his father for what he really
is. He challenges his father’s unscrupulous
principles and, for the first time, Ben stands up to him. Pipe
slinks off, a policeman waiting in the wings!
Emma enters to wish Nick luck, and to challenge Ben about the
lies he’s been telling about Nick & Laura!
She explains to Danny about the lies Ben told her! Ben comes clean
and admits his underhandedness!
|
|
9) Pipe is arrested! …. Danny
is cleared of stealing money from the Club Funds!
He is offered his old coaching job back! He accepts, but explains
that Nick is his first priority, and he
will be his full time coach, mentor, and father from now on. Scene
also establishes the fact that Nick
got thus far without the help of the LTA, but with only his mother’s
support and Danny’s guidance!
Ben displays his true good character by congratulating Nick and
Danny. |
| 10A) Centre Court |
Tie Break is played
between Ben and Nick. |
| 10B) Grand Slam
Final Centre Court
|
Nick or Ben |
Victory is Sweet (lyrics) |
Fast Rhythm Jive/Rock
'n' Roll |
VIctory Celebration |
| 10C) FINAL SONG |
FULL CAST |
PLAY THE GAME (lyrics) |
ANTHEM |
CELEBRATION |
NB. Whatever the
outcome of the Tie Break, Nick and Emma end up together, as do
Danny and Jenny! The rest is left to the imagination?
END ACTII |
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