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A BUNCH OF RATBAGS |
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| In Brief: | Based on the controversial book of the same name, this is a funny, abrasive, and confronting look at teenage delinquency during the rock 'n' roll 50's in Melbourne. A young man rises to fame and glory as the leader of a teenage gang, then deals with the downfall, and eventual escape from his environment. | |
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Music: |
Peter Pinne |
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Lyrics: |
Peter Pinne Don Battye (Additional Lyrics) |
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Book: |
Don Battye |
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| Based on: | "A Bunch of Ratbags" by William Dick (Book) | |
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Original Direction: |
Wal
Cherry & Jon Ewing (Director) Keith Little (Choreographer) |
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Cast Size: |
6M, 4F |
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Music Requirements: |
Piano or small group (Piano, Bass, Guitar, Drums) |
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Ideal For: |
- Intimate Spaces - Low Budgets - Regional Theatres - Touring |
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Synopsis: |
It's the 1950's, and Terry Cooke, a young man from a rough suburb, learns very early how to take care of himself. Turning his back on a tough home life, Terry joins a gang, becomes a rock 'n' rolling 'bodgie', and takes over as leader of the 'Goodway Mob'. The gang become infamous throughout the area with Terry hailed as a hero - much to the chagrin of his parents. But the fights, the brushes with the law, and the hedonistic lifestyle take a toll as he heads for a nervous breakdown. Given one last chance to reform, he gets involved with a 'good girl', Carol, from the other side of the tracks - but one final night out with the boys turns nasty as his drunken mates try to gang rape one of the girls. Terry, repulsed, rescues her, finally seeing his lifestyle and his mates in their true light. He turns his back on the gang and sets out on a new direction with Carol. |
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Credentials: |
1966 - First musical to put a rock band into the pit. |
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Premiere: |
14/05/1966 - Emerald Theatre Hill, Melbourne, Victoria |
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Significant Performances: |
4/07/2005 - Magnormos Music Theatre Readings Program, Theatreworks, St
Kilda, VIC 27/02/1975 - Australian Theatre, Sydney, NSW |
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Selected Quotes: |
"I
haven't had so good a time at a musical this year... a classic." (Owen
Richardson, Sunday Age) "...fast, gripping, catchy, un-self-conscious and full of variety" - (Jean Battersby, Canberra Times) "... has vitality, colour and a measure of authenticity" (Leonard Radic, The Age) "... if you're old enough to remember the fifties it's a special turn-on. But if you're young enough, whatever your age, to enjoy a lively romp with some toe-tapping music, some witty lyrics - the rare sort of show that sends you out humming and happy - then you should make haste to A Bunch Of Ratbags at the Australian Theatre" - (Susie Eisenhuth, Sunday Telegraph) |
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Performance Availability: |
Negotiable | |
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Contact: |
peter.pinne@australianmusicals.com For licencing enquiries contact David Spicer Productions |
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Other: |
Recordings: |
 Original 2005 Cast Recording (Bayview RNBW033) 2005
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| Publisher | Yackandandah (ISBN 0 86805 060 1) 1988 | |
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WWW.AUSTRALIANMUSICALS.COM |
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