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When the Lights Go On Again

Advertising Poster for Stage Door Theatre Company, Felixstowe production 2007

Musical in 2 Acts by Roy Sault

Synopsis

This fantastic original show from the pen of Roy Sault tells the story of family life in England during the war years, culminating in a VE / VJ day party. The audience are invited to sing along with any, or all, of the songs in the show! The audience will laugh and cry and join the family on their way through some difficult times and some fun times. It is a very clever observation on the humour that saw the nation through those dark years: school concerts, rationing, the Saturday Night Dance, ARP Wardens, air raids, queues, spam, all get a look in. Then of course there's the Camp Concert complete with Sergeant Major and his motley crew.

About the Show

This show has something for everyone in amateur societies and has parts across all age ranges. The show has approximately 25 main characters plus unlimited opportunities for the chorus. The songs in the show are delivered as full ensemble numbers, solos, duets or groups.

There are poignant letters between young couples parted by war used as vehicles for the majority of the solos. The Saturday Night Dance provides a number of opportunities for singers, as does the Army Camp Concert. There are also scenes within the show which look at the humour in shop queues, picture houses. The school concert provides an opportunity for the children in a society. The Parker family is central to the show and there are a number of scenes featuring the family -the opening, an air raid and a family Christmas. The Air Raid Wardens provide their take on proceedings in their scene.

The show culminates in a VE / VJ Day party

The show is written to be performed at any location in the country and is written specifically with the half / full stage settings to facilitate scene changes.

Humour in the show is aplenty, and features three great comic creations, Gran, Vera and Elsie, ably assisted by Jessie. The comic talents of Elsie, Vera and Jessie are featured in an 'over the wall' scene. They are also instigators of the humour in the Shop Queue.

Songs in Show

This show is jam packed full of well loved songs from the era. Musical arrangements are by Sylvia Roberts.

Scenes and Settings and Musical Numbers

ACT I  
Overture:  
  1. The White Cliff of Dover
  2. Kiss Me Goodnight, Sergeant Major
  3. When the Lights go on Again
The Parker Family Home - 1939  
David Parker writes home - 1940   
  1. Well Meet Again
A Shop Queue - 1940  
Mark Turner writes to Jane Parker 
  1. You'd he so Nice to Come Home to
A School Concert - 1942 
  1. The White Cliffs of Dover
  2. Hey Little Hen
  3. Run, Rabbit Run
  4. They'll Always be an England
  5.  When the Lights go on Again
Jane Parker writes to Mark Turner 
  1. Yours
Air Raid Wardens - 1943  
David Parker writes to Sylvia Grahame
  1. I'll be Seeing You
The Parker Family Home - 1943  
Sylvia Grahame writes to David Parker
  1. I'll Walk Alone
The Saturday Night Dance    
  1. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
  2.  I'm in the Mood f or Love
  3. The Lambeth Walk
  4. In the Mood
  5. Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree
  6. As Time Goes By
  7. I Only Have Eyes for You
  8. Who's Taking You Home Tonight
ACT II  
Entr'acte 
  1. Deep in the Heart of Texas
  2. Mairzy Doats
  3. I've Got Sixpence
  4. Siegfried Line
A Camp Concert - 1944  
  1. The Quarter Master's Store
  2. Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning
  3.  Kiss Me Goodnight, Sergeant Major
  4. This is the Army
  5. Apple Blossom Time
  6. Der Fuhrer 's Face
  7. Lili Marlene
  8. Bless `em All   
Simon and Jean exchange letters     
  1. You'll Never Know 
A Cinema Queue - 1944      
Inside the Cinema  
Over the Garden Wall - 1944  
The Parker Home - Christmas 1944
  1. Have Yourselves a Merry Little Christmas
Alice Parker writes to Dave 
  1. (Reprise Merry Little Christmas)
A Street Party - 1945  
  1. Rule Britannia
  2. Der Fuhrer’s Face (Reprise)
  3. Land of Hope and Glory
  4. Knees up Mother Brown
  5. Yours
Finale
  1. We'll Meet Again (Reprise)

Cast of Characters

Full details and further information (with pictures) on the official show website - click When the Lights Go On Again