Description

The story follows the White Knights as they seek to compete in the Battle of the Bands. A crooked mayor puts obstacles in their way so that his nephew’s band, Villainous, will play unchallenged. But there are still forces of good in the world, and the Knights find an unexpected patron who makes it possible to get to the Battle. So is it a fairytale ending? You’ll have to read the script…

Staging Battle of the Bands is straightforward – you’ll need a loungeroom, office setting, small riser to represent a stage within a stage and an open space. There are instrumental reprises to cover most scene changes and the opportunity to work in front of and behind the curtain (if you have one) to provide extra options.

While the performance CD provides broadcast quality recordings of all the songs and reprises, there is also a score for a small band. With piano, bass, guitar and drums as the core, there are also parts for flute, clarinet and saxophone. But you’ll definitely need one or two synthesisers to cover the contemporary sounds as well as strings and organ.

There are enough principal characters in the show to suit schools, with some suggestions for managing the number of available male and female actors. The principals cast list includes:

Tom and Becky: Brother and sister who started the band The White Knights. They are regular kids who are smart, sensitive and tuned in to what’s going on around them. Becky plays the guitar and can sing, while Tom concentrates only on singing. The White Knights play live music that is fresh and exciting.

Gina: Bass player with The White Knights. Gina is a dreamer, very trendy and ambitious for the band.

Andy: Drummer for The White Knights. Andy is not too bright, but can drum really well. He is easily distracted, but very likable.

Announcer: Smooth and sophisticated, he is stereotypically self-absorbed and loves the sound of his own voice.

Jared: Leader of Villainous, the established band in the district. Jared is the model of egotism, shamelessly in love with his own image. Villainous is a band made up of four singers who cannot play instruments, and always sing to backing tracks. They perform in synchronised routines.

TroyBoy: Singer with Villainous, TroyBoy is a follower who has rarely had an original thought.

Princess and Vanity: As the names suggest, these two singers only have eyes for themselves. They are singers with Villainous, and will prance and preen at any opportunity.

Maxine: Owner and director of Maximum Music, a long-standing record company. Maxine is a good hearted business woman who is now starting to think about what she can give back to the business. Tired of the same old thing, she is searching for a new sound to get excited about.

Alan: Staff manager for Maxine, Alan is cynical and sarcastic. He is prim and proper, and generally expects that he is superior to those around him.

Bruno: The local mayor, Bruno falls for the trap of thinking that he has the power to do anything he wants and is typically demanding about how he gets it.

Wally: A retired band manager, Wally is a mysterious character who appears just when The White Knights need someone to take an interest in their plight. He is kindly, generous and avuncular.

There is also a set of supporting characters with walk-on lines.