The First Act
Setting: The Musical commences the morning of 1st September 1666 : The eve of the Great Fire
Set against the backdrop of the historic Queenhite Market, bordering the River Thames - Market folk setting up their wares and preparing for another ordinary day of business.
The opening song “It’s Another Nice Day” begins setting the scene and reflecting the long spell of dry weather.
Its boy meets girl - with the Minstrel befriending a streetgirl whom he calls Greensleeves, after she refuses to tell him her name.
The tenuous start to their relationship gradually improves until, in the midst of it all, a fire breaks out from a bakery in Pudding Lane quickly spreading throughout the Greater London area fuelled by a lethal combination of dry weather and strong winds.
Amongst all the flames and devastation, Greensleeves and the Minstrel cling to each other for strength and reassurance reflected in the song “Our Love Will Never Burn Away”.
The end of the first act is brought about by a burst of flames followed with “London’s on Fire – Run – Run for your lives”!
The opening song “It’s Another Nice Day” begins setting the scene and reflecting the long spell of dry weather.
Its boy meets girl - with the Minstrel befriending a streetgirl whom he calls Greensleeves, after she refuses to tell him her name.
The tenuous start to their relationship gradually improves until, in the midst of it all, a fire breaks out from a bakery in Pudding Lane quickly spreading throughout the Greater London area fuelled by a lethal combination of dry weather and strong winds.
Amongst all the flames and devastation, Greensleeves and the Minstrel cling to each other for strength and reassurance reflected in the song “Our Love Will Never Burn Away”.
The end of the first act is brought about by a burst of flames followed with “London’s on Fire – Run – Run for your lives”!
The Second Act
Setting: London in flames, and the marketfolk in panic
With the fire starting in the dead of night and with such limited resources available to fight an outbreak, the terror and trauma of the townsfolk come to the fore.
Song: “Stop The Fire” - with Rap section expounded by the Friars – makes a chilling start to the 2nd Act.
Featuring King Charles 2nd, Sir Christopher Wren, Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn as real-life historic personalities involved in the aftermath of the fire.
Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn kept an actual daily commentary at the time - excerpts are included in my writing.
King Charles – his alter-ego is Elvis - knights (Sir) Christopher Wren.
Mr & Mrs Farriner seize an opportunity for their new Bakery.
Greensleeves and the Minstrel exchange vows.
And Mrs Clemens and the Blacksmith almost tie the knot before a rousing finale “The Heat’s On”.
Song: “Stop The Fire” - with Rap section expounded by the Friars – makes a chilling start to the 2nd Act.
Featuring King Charles 2nd, Sir Christopher Wren, Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn as real-life historic personalities involved in the aftermath of the fire.
Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn kept an actual daily commentary at the time - excerpts are included in my writing.
King Charles – his alter-ego is Elvis - knights (Sir) Christopher Wren.
Mr & Mrs Farriner seize an opportunity for their new Bakery.
Greensleeves and the Minstrel exchange vows.
And Mrs Clemens and the Blacksmith almost tie the knot before a rousing finale “The Heat’s On”.
Additional Info
Other relationships work their way through;
The Blacksmith and Mrs Clemens. (He’s a softie. She self-righteous)
The Ratcatcher and Greensleeves:
(Their relationship only revealed with the advent of the fire).
Mr and Mrs Farriner. (She bossy, he subordinate).
King Charles 2nd, knights ‘Sir’ Christopher Wren. (Friend and confidant).
The storyline includes a Town Crier who misquotes Shakespeare and the strong personality of ::
Mother Shipton : (Fortune-teller / Witch) predicting in song “London Will Burn”.
Music styles range from period sounding harpsichord to up-tempo rock ‘n’ roll, from ballad to rap / hip-hop, from waltz to jazz and a section where the dialogue / verse is set to music.
The dialogue is written in a colloquial style in prose, verse, and rhyming verse.
Plays of the era were mostly written in verse, and a feel of that is what I have set out to incorporate.
As well there are subtle inclusions which add to the overall information without making the whole a boring history lesson.
Many interesting references are included such as London’s motto :
“Domine nos dirige” – (Lord direct / guide us).
Drama and excitement mix with melody and humour.
You'll love this sizzling Musical "Fire On The River".
The Blacksmith and Mrs Clemens. (He’s a softie. She self-righteous)
The Ratcatcher and Greensleeves:
(Their relationship only revealed with the advent of the fire).
Mr and Mrs Farriner. (She bossy, he subordinate).
King Charles 2nd, knights ‘Sir’ Christopher Wren. (Friend and confidant).
The storyline includes a Town Crier who misquotes Shakespeare and the strong personality of ::
Mother Shipton : (Fortune-teller / Witch) predicting in song “London Will Burn”.
Music styles range from period sounding harpsichord to up-tempo rock ‘n’ roll, from ballad to rap / hip-hop, from waltz to jazz and a section where the dialogue / verse is set to music.
The dialogue is written in a colloquial style in prose, verse, and rhyming verse.
Plays of the era were mostly written in verse, and a feel of that is what I have set out to incorporate.
As well there are subtle inclusions which add to the overall information without making the whole a boring history lesson.
Many interesting references are included such as London’s motto :
“Domine nos dirige” – (Lord direct / guide us).
Drama and excitement mix with melody and humour.
You'll love this sizzling Musical "Fire On The River".