Achieving stardom hasn't brought Libby quite the happiness she had dreamed of and, leaving the theatre one night, she overhears someone nearby whistling Charlie's favourite song and wistfully realises that a tin whistle tune can bring haunting memories of what she's left behind. Gladys and Arthur interrupt her reverie to tell her that Charlie is no longer a busker and hasn't been seen for quite a while. They also tell her that Gladys' dog. Mate, has been run over by a sausage van. Gladys has learned that "livin' alone is lonely." and given Arthur her consent to join him in "connubial bliss". Prentiss and Duchesi arrive to escort Libby to Max Beardsley's flat where they are to perform their "New Show" Audition. Max is so delighted by their presentation that - champagne glasses in hand - they decide to celebrate by going 'slumming on the town.' They board the very bus that Charlie is working on as a conductor. Making his way down the aisle as he collects fares, Charlie catches a glimpse of Libby and, not wanting to be seen by her, turns back and jumps off the bus at the next stop. He is, of course, fired for "desertion in the line of duty" and - jobless now - begins a gin-tinged downward spiral. He wanders the lamp lit streets of London with two fellow reprobates. After spending 90 days in jail for 'drunken and disorderly conduct,' he is reduced to begging as a 'blind man'. Libby - who has been searching the streets for Charlie - stumbles on this pretence. Shocked, but - attempting to raise his spirits— she tells him that there might be a part for him in the show she will next be starring in. She succeeds in persuading Charlie to come to the Garrick to audition the next morning. He does, but is unable to perform with his usual flair as the spotlight blinds him. Libby, who is watching with Prentiss, Max and the Stage Manager from the dimly lit auditorium, tries to encourage him but, for Charlie to be effective, he needs to be able to see the delight in the faces of his audience. In his confusion we flashback to his childhood, and he relives one of his Dad's routines featuring a puppet of himself, as a young lad, sitting on his daddy's knee. By alternately imitating each of their voices, he re-enacts the banter that leads to his Dad's 'sign off ' song. This number serves as a sort of epiphany for Charlie and results in his fully appreciating who he really is - Charlie, the Busker. With a "thank you" to Max and Libby he heads off. Libby tearfully calls out "Charlie, don't leave! Where are you going?" "Outside, where I belong," says Charlie. He sends Libby his special 'tip-of-the-finger' kiss and proudly returns to his friends and his old busking life. There is an overlapping time transition to the 1990s as we return to Dame Libby's moving tribute to the world of busking - Epilogue. Looking upward with a bitter-sweet smile she sends her own delicate version of Charlie's signature kiss to the stars above. CAST • Dame Libby • Charlie Baxter • Elaine Claire • Max Beardsley • Victor Duchesi • Arthur • Gladys • Libby • Prentiss James • BBC Announcer • Wilson, Keppel and Betty • Michael • Diane • Mate (a dog) SCENES AND SETTINGS The setting is in London, Spring 1938, just prior to World War II
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