Bespoke Theatre for Diverse Communities
Rock Candy
Rock Candy – Bisi and Candy
"The Seaside Makes you Dream......"
Rock Candy was a Summer production for a group from two levels of our Theatre School. The majority of this mixed cast were between nine and fourteen. As the young actors were all South Londoners, the Kentish coast was familiar to most of them from school trips and summer family outings. Through a week in August, people of all kinds of ages and backgrounds meet. Each individual hopes that the seaside will make their secret dreams come true.
The Story Line
Bisi, a little girl from London, is brought by a Social Worker to stay with her Uncle Morrie, who lives by the sea side. Her Mum is in hospital so can’t look after her. Uncle Morrie has two daughters, Nell aged eight and Candy aged fourteen. The girls’ Mum, Uncle Morrie’s wife, ran off four years ago. Candy says “I’m hard. They call me Rock Candy.” Uncle Morrie tells Bisi about the work he is doing on his house – making “A swimming pool, right by the sea, a roof garden with illuminations, plants, with diving board and terraces, satellite TV – all of that….” Nell says “It’s for when Mummy comes home.” Uncle Morrie calls for Candy to meet Bisi. This is not a success. Candy bullies Bisi and snatches her precious pony toy. She won’t stay to talk to Bisi but dashes off “Up the Caff” where she meets her friends.
“I think it’s safe to say it won’t come here.” says Miss Larcombe. Bisi stops crying. Other children are still upset.
The children agree – “The people there – it was so terrible for them.” But Candy says “Nah – All them people – they’re not like us. Why should we care?”
One boy replies “They are so – just like us. They have Mums and Dads and all that. What’s different?”
“But what can we do?” No one knows.
“What do you do when you can’t do anything?”
Bill says suddenly – “You can do other stuff. Wiv lights and things – I seen it on TV. For the ones what died, people like us. We can get the lights from up the caff.” No one laughed at Bill. They fetched the lights from the cafe. Miss Larcombe found some Far Eastern music
But Candy can’t stop. “Enough! Enough! What’s enough? You know – I can’t take this no more. This is the dead limit. Can’t you get it in your head Dad? You’re never gonna make no Beverley Hills Villa. There won’t be no big swimming pool. No roof garden. No posh plants and Satellite TV.”
“And another fing. You know, just like I know. Our Mum ain’t coming back. She’s not dead, she just doesn’t want us that’s all. She wished she’d never had me.”
“It’s all right for you, Bisi, you’ve got someone. You’re going home to your Mum. Even the kids in the Tsunami – the sea took their people away but it was no one’s fault, they always knew they loved them. People are scared of me, even my Dad. But no one wants me.”
Nell goes over to her sister. “I want you, Candy.” she says.
“What you? You’re just a little kid.”
“You was just a little kid when our Mum left us. I’m a little kid. does that mean you don’t want me?”
“No it don’t. But what if I’m hard, like our Mum?”
“You don’t have to be hard. Your name’s Candy. You could be sweet.”
Maybe I could. But Dad, what I said, I meant it. You alright, Nell?” “Thanks Candy. I’m OK.”
Uncle Morrie is thinking of where things started. “You know what you said Candy? When things went wrong, I never stopped to work out why. I just ran away into my dreams.”
“But we all were dreaming too. What made us do it, when none of it came true?” one boy wondered.
The city boys and girls have to go home to London. Summer has ended. “I wish we could have seen the seaside in the real summer. I bet it’s nice. It’s been a bit rubbish this time, cold and moody and a lot of sad things.”
“You have to see it in summer.” says Candy. “It’s not just nice – it’s brilliant. “All the lights come up on our caff,” says Bill. “My dad’s making a light fing,” says Nell. “Na, best left – I’m not much at these things – might not work too well,” mumbles Morrie.
“Have you ever tried it? ” Miss Larcombe sounds teacherish. “Where’s the switch? ” she asks (She flicks the switch. The Mr Whippy lights up.) ” There you are. You never know what you can do till you try.” Candy is astonished! “Well knock me down! Our Dad’s bit of success! OK then, let’s show them what we can do at the seaside. Come on guys – get ready, line up – come on now – show us how to do it!” (Candy shouts her loudest) “LIMBO!!”
Play for young and older teenagers for audiences of peers
Cast
Named Children’s Roles:
Bisi, small Nigerian girl, strong singer aged 7 -8
Nell: Small Kentish girl, white, aged 7-8
Candy, Nell’s sister, 13-14, white. Lead performer
The London Kids:
Boys group 12/13 years, up to ten boys, 1 soloist.
Girls group 12-15 years up to 12 girls. All need to sing and show good dance skills in street and social dance
Four Adults: 1 male professional, 1 female professional, 1 male apprentice, 1 female walk on
If you would like to perform Rock Candy with your company, musical theatre society, or school, please email: productionshollyblue@gmail.com
Full script, backing tracks for complete show, vocal recordings for all songs, and original working designs are all available.
© Holly Blue Productions