COPACABANA
The final strains of the OVERTURE give way to a persuasive and very familiar drum beat. As the lights come up, a dreamlike scene spills out onto the stage. We are in an elegant but other-worldly nightclub, circa 1940’s. Showgirls, busboys, G.I.’s waitresses and the like rush onto stage and begin to pound out the familiar drum beat on tympani, bongos, tables and anything else they can get their hands… and feet… on.
Suddenly, there stands Stephen, a songwriter (and our guide for the evening). Soon we realise we are in no ordinary place. This is the Copacabana of his imagination, populated by characters of his invention. He leads them all through the opening strains of a song that is waiting to be born, COPACABANA.
Just as the number is about to climax, the set for a swank Manhattan apartment rolls out. The time is now. A voice is heard. It belongs to Samantha, Stephen’s wife. Jarred from his fantasy, Stephen returns to here and now, and just as suddenly, all traces of his imagination vanish from the stage. Samantha, wrapped in a towel and a mudpack, reminds Stephen that her parents will arriving shortly for dinner. Deaf to her pleas that he ready himself. Stephen turns his attention back to his keyboard and drum machine, prompting Samantha to bemoan, ‘Oh Stephen, just once I wish you would look at me the way you look at that drum machine’.
| CAST | |
|---|---|
| Stephen/Tony | JAMES GREEN |
| Samantha/Lola | FELICITY COOPER |
| Rico | GARRY McWILLIAMS |
| Conchita | JANE SMITH |
| Sam | GEORGE PRESTON |
| Gladys | REBECCA THORNE |
| McManus | ANDY DAVIES |
| Willie | DAVID CLARIDGE |
| Skip | TAMMY WOODS |
| Maitre D’ | ANDY DAVIES |
| Coat Check Girl | AMY HEAD |
| Piano Accompanist | JO GRESSWELL |
| Mr Brill | ANDY DAVIES |
| Music Publishers | BOB ROBINS |
| JOHN COOKSON | |
| Luis | ANDY CHEADLE |
| Veronica Lake | CAROL PRESTON |
| CREATIVES | |
|---|---|
| Producer | Greg Yates |
| Choreographer | Colette Edwards |
| Musical Director | Peter Smith |
| Assistant Musical Director | Jonathan Hill |