Muck the Opera

Act 1 - Stage Montage 1

The lights come up on the exterior of ‘Bun in the Oven Bakehouse’ deep in London’s East End. The window is piled high with all manner of pastries and cakes. A young lady appears, striding confidently towards the store. She is well dressed in a rose pink bonnet and matching pinafore. She pauses at the window and admires the delectable treats, before continuing inside.

The young lady emerges moments later carrying a huge box of chocolate éclairs. She takes a decadent bite out of one, smacks her lips, and sets off down the street, nodding a greeting to a passing gentleman who in turn tips his hat.

A baby starts to cry. The lady stops, cocks her head, and looks around in confusion. Her face creases into a quizzical frown. The crying continues. After a few moments, the lady realises that the sound is coming from the box of éclairs. She places the box on the ground, opens it completely, reaches in and pulls out a wailing baby. The baby looks at the lady. The lady looks at the baby. The baby stops crying and gurgles happily. The lady shrugs, flings the baby into a nearby pile of rubbish, picks up her box of éclairs and exits the stage.

Prelude - The Making of Muck…

Michael was a strange boy, but none knew of his inner being; a lady in waiting…

Opening scene, a young boy, in street rat clothing enters stage right, to a dimly lit London street (circa. early 1900s)

A ghostly older woman holding a gleaming letter opener in one hand (Eliza) steps into the spotlight..

(to the tune of Nature Boy - David Bowie)

Eliza
There was a boy, a very strange entrancing boy
Although I tried to help his cause help his cause
To make him a Lady.

A little child, now gone from trial
Evil took him from me

I curse that day, that magic day, he passed my way
And while she dreamt of many things, foolish things
She always trusted me

Ashamed am I
I let her die
I wear this now
Forever bound, to my Lady!