Simon Haynes & Adrian Cross | Musical | Full-length | 7m, 3f, 5m/f
Short synopsis
A rock 'n roll party show, a parody and tongue-in-cheek tribute to horror and sci-fi B-movies from the 1950’s to the present day. A rock 'n roll star nearly dies in a plane crash, but is brought back to life in a futuristic clinic having been 're-built' and augmented by a mad doctor. They plan now to rule the world by using mind control delivered over television transmissions, but haven't factored in the determination of two young newlyweds who mistakenly check in as marriage guidance patients. Though intended to be strictly for pleasure, Rock Apocalyse is also a sharp satire of our mass-media driven culture where our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions are constantly altered by the barrage of ‘advice’ from advertising, film and TV.
Synopsis
Characters
Reviews
With 14 original songs fully scored for a 12 piece band, a vocal and piano score with ballads and huge rock 'n roll and dance numbers, Rock Apocalypse is a show that appeals and will blow your mind.
Rock Apocalypse is rock 'n roll party show which is a parody and tongue-in-cheek tribute to horror and sci-fi B-movies from the 1950’s to the present day. The music is rock 'n roll, blues, gospel, rock and anthem-based. And it is very funny. Though Rock Apocalyse is intended to be strictly for pleasure, it is also a sharp satire of our mass-media driven culture where our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions are constantly altered by the barrage of ‘advice’ from advertising, film and TV.
During a prologue, we hear of the death of 1950’s rock 'n roll icon Ricky Valiant. But we soon learn that Ricky has not died instead he has set up an evil laboratory called the Somafree Institute where he is plotting to take over the world. He lures unsuspecting victims into the laboratory, where they undergo an operation called the Brain Drain that turns them into zombie like creatures - the Deadheads.
We meet Dawn and Ash, who are having marital problems. They are referred to the Institute by their therapist, Dr Cronenburg. Inside the clinic there are some really weird staff. They include Dr Enema, and Tiffany (a sexy nurse). The couple are separated and Tiffany immediately tries to seduce Ash, without success. Dawn is brain-drained and immediately becomes obsessed with Ricky Valiant. Ash is taken to meet Ricky. In a blaze of OTT rock 'n roll he reveals his evil plan. In a few days an orbiting group of satellites will broadcast his comeback concert all over the world, interrupting all TV programming. He has inserted a mind control signal into the programme so anyone watching will become obsessed with him and will be turned into Deadheads - allowing him to rule the world. Ash fights but is restrained and is made into a Deadhead.
The FBI infiltrates the Institute in a bid to save the planet. Tiffany sings of her love for Ash and manages to reverse his brain drain process after seducing Dr Enema. Valient’s broadcast supported by his new ‘bride’ Dawn begins. All hell breaks loose in the fight that follows involving Deadheads, Ash and FBI agents - all filled with OTT sight gags, comic book violence and rock 'n roll. Ash interrupts Valient’s concert but is overpowered and the countdown to armaggeddon begins. Will the planet be saved? Is there any hope for Ash and Dawn’s marriage?
Principals (6m, 3f, 1m/f)
* denotes a singing role
Ricky Valiant *– a megalomaniac ex-rock 'n roll superstar
Ash Raimi *– a hero
Dawn Raimi *– a heroine
Dr Barium Enema *– a deranged neurosurgeon (male)
Dr Barada *– a sadistic neurosurgeon (female)
Tiffany *– a nurse with a problem (female)
Klaatu *– a systems design analyst (male)
Criswell– a narrator (male)
Secretary– a secretary with a mission (male)
Dr Cronenberg– a therapist (either sex)
Support (1m, 4m/f)
Bub – a friendly male
Deadhead, age 50-60
Nikto – an unfriendly Deadhead (either sex)
Agents 1, 2 & 3 (either sex)
Voice of Computer (recorded)
Chorus : Deadheads (rock ‘n roll dependent morons)
Gospel Singers
Agents (FBI Agents)
"... absolutely brilliant!" - Steve Diamond, Producer of 'The Rocky Horror Show'
"...by far the best rock 'n roll musical I have ever read.The music is brilliant ... stonking!" - Robert Murray, Director
Here's a list of all the supporting material available and some other information you might need. Pricing for the production materials is supplied automatically with a Perusal Set. Royalty pricing can only be provided as a formal quotation.
Available now (see below)
Perusal Set
These are availablefor customers in European Union countries onlyto borrow free of charge (but you have to pay the postage to return the set to us). The set contains ...
Printed Libretto
Printed Piano/Vocal Score
Cast Recording Audio CD (combination of studio and cast recordings)
Available after Perusal
Libretti/Vocal Scores
Available to purchase as a Rehearsal Master Set on a Data CD (Cast). This contains the script and piano vocal score for your cast and crew provided as A4 pdf files. No problem about possible loss of deposit, as they are yours to print out and mark up as required. The price includes a multiple copying licence allowing you to copy the Data CD itself (enabling you to give or sell copies to your cast for them to make up their own rehearsal books) or to make multiple prints of the pdf's on the Data CD for your production company to organise and provide to your cast or crew.
Please note that we do not sell printed copies of the libretti, nor do we hire sets of printed rehearsal libretti or scores.
Available after Rights Obtained
Backing Tracks
Not available.
Orchestrations
These are available for a 12 piece band as below, for hire to production companies only, who hold a valid, unexpired, licence to perform.
Alto Sax
Tenor Sax
Drum Kit
Bass Guitar
Guitar 1
Guitar 2
Keyboard 1 / MD
Keyboard 2
Piano
Percussion
Trumpet
Trombone
We have secured the rights to video productions of this title from the Author, and we manage them on his behalf. Once a 'Licence To Perform' has been granted, and then on payment of a fee, we will be able to issue a 'Licence To Record'. There are some strings attached to this, but these are far outweighed by the benefits.
Record one or more live performances and mix down to a single video
Give or sell copies to your cast and crew
Sell copies to your audiences (take advance bookings on the night)
Frequently asked questions
Can we try before we buy?
Of course! All our plays and pantomimes have a free Preview Script available for download as an A4 pdf file that contains 60-75% of the full script. If you like what you read in that then you can buy an inexpensive e-script of the entire play (generally costing under half the price of a traditional printed script) which is licensed to you for your personal use. Purchasing a script copying licence allows you to make a just sufficient quantity of copies to support rehearsals and performances.
All our musicals are included in our perusal service. Under this, representatives of producing organisations can request a USB Stick of Perusal Material which comprise the script/libretto and piano/vocal score as pdf files; a Cast (or Studio) Recording as mp3 files and (where available) an mp4 file video of either the premiere production or of a subsequent production.
Some titles have the facility to read the entire script online on our website.
Do we need a Licence To Perform?
The simple answer is, yes.
Under the international laws of copyright, you must be in possession of a valid, unexpired, licence before performing any piece of theatre unless the owner or managers of the copyright has waived their rights. (See 'Copyright Questions' below).
Why do you insist on providing a formal royalties quotation?
When you request a quotation, it is logged in our system, it forms part of an orderly queue and protects your place in that queue should multiple licensing requests occur for the same show.
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