Our Day Out
Book by Willy Russell. Songs and Music by Bob Eaton, Chris Mellor and Willy Russell
Musical stage version of the original television film first staged at the Liverpool Everyman in 1983
Directed by Bob Eaton & Kate Roland with Musical Direction by Chris Mellor.
Synopsis
This play by award winning Willy Russell was first seen on BBC2 in 1977 and has now been specially edited for practical use by schools, colleges and groups. Sad, humorous and true to life it tells the story of some underprivileged schoolchildren who are taken on a day's outing by their teachers. The children boisterously rampage through a roadside café, a zoo, Conway Castle and a beach. A joyous celebration of the joys and agonies of growing up, but also a sharp pointer to the depressing present and future, for a day out is as much as these children can expect.
Story
When Mrs Kay's 'Progress Class' are unleashed for a day's coach trip to Conway Castle in Wales, it is an exuberant celebration of the joys and agonies of growing up and being footloose, fourteen and free from school. But this is more than a romp - it points up the depressing present and empty future for these comphrehensive no-hopers from the backstreets of Liverpool, for whom a day out is as much as they can expect.
Cast:
Male 6 Female 3 (may be played by M3 F2); 16-20 children.
Teachers
- Mrs Kay: Teacher of the Progress Class; in her early forties.
- Susan: Helps Mrs Kay look after the children; early twenties.
- Colin: Another helper of Mrs Kay; he is teased by Reilly & Digga because he is dating Susan and is in his early twenties.
- Mr Briggs: Deputy Headmaster; he is very strict and tries to discipline the children; early thirties.
- The Headmaster: Sends Mr Briggs to supervise the children.
Kids
- Carol: First and last character seen in the play. Thirteen years old.
- Reilly: Class bully. Fifteen years old.
- Digga: Reilly's 'assistant'. Fifteen years old.
- Linda: In love with Colin. Fifteen years old.
- Karen: Linda's friend; in love with Colin. Fifteen years old.
- Andrews: Thirteen years old. Andrews is addicted to smoking and does not have a very good life at home. His parents too, are addicted to smoking and he is belted at home
- Ronson: A minor character in the play. He is seen in a conversation at the zoo with Mr. Briggs and Andrews
- Kevin: Another minor character, he is seen in an encounter with Mrs. Kay on the beach. Twelve years old.
- Jimmy: Twelve years old.
- Maurice: Twelve years old.
Shopkeepers
- Mrs Roberts: Foresees what might happen to her if she lets the children into her café and forbids them from entering.
- Waitress: Works in Mrs Roberts's café.
- John: Shop owner who gets robbed by the kids.
- Mac: Shop owner who gets robbed by the kids.
Other Adults
- Les: The lollipop man.
- Ronny Suttcliffe: Driver of the coach who gets tricked by Mrs Kay.
- The Animal Keeper: He is seen when he shouts at the kids for stealing animals from the zoo.
Musical numbers
Act 1
- We're Goin' Out - Carol and kids
- Mrs Kay's Progress Class - Kids
- Got A Packed Lunch - Kids
- Boss Of The Bus - Ronny and Kids
- Instructions On Enjoyment - Mr Briggs
- We're Off - Kids
- Look At The Dogs/Our day out (The travelling song) - Company
- The Mersey Tunnal - Kids
- It's Borin', Bleeding Borin' - Bored Girls
- Straight Line - Mr Briggs and Mrs Kay
- Penny Chews - Kids
- I'm In Love With Sir - Linda, Jackie and Kids
- Zoo Song - Bored girls and Kids
- Our Day Out - Kids
Act 2
- Castle Song - Mr Briggs, Kids, Linda Jackie and Colin
- Beach Song (short) - Bored girls and Kids
- I Know You Like Her - Susan
- Why Can't It Always Be This Way (Carol's Song) - Carol
- Fairground Song - Kids
- Everywhere We Go - Kids
- Ay Ay Yippee Yippee Ay - Kids
- We Had A Really Great Day Out - Company
- Finale: No One Can Take This Time Away - Company
Settings:
Various simple and exterior settings