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Rush

by David John and Kevin Lynch



Musical Theatre: 'Rush!' by David John & Kevin Lynch
"... a rollicking tale of love, lust and greed ..."
"... a raw, lung-powered, pomp-rock pageant ..."
 

This item is only available from us to customers in UK and Europe.
For productions in other areas, please visit the Rush! website


Synopsis

Musical Theatre: 'Rush!' by David John & Kevin LynchThis powerful professional musical tells the moving story of immigrant gold miners and their quest for instant fortune. With a strong storyline and a modern score, it demands the resources of a professional, semi-pro or large amateur group to be successful. It has been licenced to and performed by both professional and amateur groups to rapturous audience applause.

In 1862 the goldfields were a savage and unforgiving environment. Duncan and Sarah McKenzie arrive in the 'new country' when Jackie O'Fea brings news of the gold strikes. Leaving his family for the diggings with a promise to return, Duncan seizes his chance for freedom from the near-slavery of the 19th century working class life. He is joined by his friends Nathan and Millie Hall, who along with O'Fea and his nephews, the Lomax brothers, head off to seek their fortune.

At the diggings, tragedy strikes. Nathan is drowned in a massive flood on the Arrow River leaving Millie a widow. She is cared for by the camp and particularly by Joe Lawson who cuts her wood for the coming winter. But Millie's winter comes early when she is assaulted by O'Fea with only the Lomax brothers as witnesses.

Meanwhile Sarah thinks of what could have been. She reflects on her childhood as she struggles to support her children.When Duncan strikes gold, his euphoria is short lived as a young miner Dan Nolan is murdered by the Lomax brothers. Duncan is accused of the crime, and after an absurd trial, he is sentenced to hang. Sarah tries for an appeal but fails.

After Duncan's death a bond develops between Millie and Sarah. She tells Sarah of her ordeal with O'Fea and the Lomaxes. As the Lomax brothers sleep a woman enters the cabin and shoots them both. O'Fea fights her and with some help from the 'spirit of the times' O'Fea meets his end. Love has blossomed between Millie and Lawson who decide to leave the goldfields together as Sarah considers her past and looks to the future.

The gold rush in New Zealand may not be quite as well known as the Californian gold rush, but exactly the same dreams, desperation and desires happened there as in California.

David John's true-to-life words coupled with the rich and varied music of Kevin Lynch greatly inspired the previous casts with an enthusiasm which was seen and felt by the audience. The newspaper reviews and letters of praise stand testament to this impressive musical which is as loud, large and feverish as its name would suggest.
Larger amateur groups need not fear for their audience numbers - this has the all the musical power and feel of 'Oliver!', 'Paint Your Wagon, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and 'The Pirates Of Penzance' all rolled into one. The Managing Director of New Zealand's CHTV has said of Rush!, "... the only thing preventing it from being a similar worldwide hit to 'Cats' and 'Phantom Of The Opera' is that it wasn't written by Andrew Lloyd-Webber ...".

Complete with all marketing and promotional artwork and images, as well as comprehensive staging details, 'Rush!' fizzes with energy, and has both a wonderful, warm richness which fills the soul, coupled with a rawness as cold and spectacular as hoar frost.


Characters

Principals (4m, 3f)
Duncan McKenzie - 30/40, a jeweler, enthusiastic and impulsive, loving. Tenor
Sarah - his wife, 30/32, dutiful, emotionally torn, compassionate. Belt/MS
Millie - Nathan Hall's wife, 19, wise, balanced, gentle. Con/Mezzo
Jackie O'Fea - middle aged comic Irishman with an unpleasant side. Baritone
The Prospector - 50/60, the 'Spirit Of The Time', takes the part of narrator/observer. Bass/Baritone
Meg - 40's, a big buxom hearty Scot, fearsome yet gentle. Belt
Judge - 40/50, a little 'possessed', passionate. Baritone/Tenor
 
Support (5m adults; 2m, 2f, 1m/f juniors)
Nathan Hall - 25, an adventurer, ebullient. Baritone
Joe Lawson - 25/30, handsome prospector, a good friend to have. Baritone
Bill Lomax - 20's. Slow-witted, relies on John. Baritone
John Lomax - 20's, older brother of Bill, both are under O'Fea's influence. Baritone
Dan Nolan - 19. A young adventurer. Baritone
 
Male and Female company, who play a variety of roles - Prospectors, Constables, Barmaids, Immigrants of various nationalities and skills. NOTE : the 5 McKenzie children are aged 6yrs to 10yrs and includes one set of twins.

Songs

  1) Prologue / Overture Orchestra,
  2) Let Me Take You Back Prospector
  3) A New Day Dawns Principals & Ensemble
  4) A Fair Days Work Joe, Nathan, Duncan & Company
  5) Gold At Your Fingers O'Fea & Company
  6) I Can't Take Anymore Duncan & Sarah
  7) Bright And Shiny Gold Company
  8) Cry Your Tears Sarah, Children & Women
  9) The Ballad Of Millie Hall Prospector
10) Look But Don't Touch Meg, Dan, 3 Barmaids & Men
11) Broken Wings Millie
12) In A Perfect World Sarah
13) That's What Friends Are For Dan Nolan, The Lomax Brothers
14) Run Duncan, Run Duncan & Company
~~ Interval ~~
15) Working Men Male Company
16) Sign Your Name Duncan, John Lomax & Company
17) Hell Of A Life On The Arrow Prospector
18) Seven Doors Judge & Company
19) The Wheels Keep On Rolling Women & Prospector
20) Appeal Court Sarah & Appeal Judge
21) I Wonder Duncan & Miners
22) Once Upon A Time Joe & Millie
23) The Ghost Of Duncan Mckenzie Prospector & Lomax Brothers
24) I've Got News For You Lady O'Fea & Prospector
25) Try To Make The Best Of What You Got Meg & Company
26) If I Knew Then & Finale Duncan, Sarah & Company

Information for Production Administrators

Here's a list of all the supporting material available and some other information you might need. Pricing for the production materials is supplied automatically with a Perusal Set. Royalty pricing can only be provided as a formal quotation.

Available now (see below) ...
 
Preview Script/Libretto
You can download straightaway a shortened copy of the script/libretto to read and get a relatively good picture of whether you would like to proceed to the next step. The Preview E-Script is made available to you as a pdf file sized for A4 paper and contains just over half of the script.libretto.
Perusal Set
These are available for customers in European Union countries only to borrow free of charge (but you have to pay the postage to return the set to us). The set contains ...
 
  • Printed Libretto
  • Printed Piano/Vocal Score
  • Cast Recording Audio CD (from a professional production in New Zealand)
  • Full Production Video DVD (from the UK premiere amateur production)
Available after Perusal ...
 
Libretti/Vocal Scores

Available to purchase in this form ...

  • Rehearsal Master Set on a Data CD (Cast). This contains the script and piano vocal score for your cast and crew provided as A4 pdf files. No problem about possible loss of deposit, as they are yours to print out and mark up as required. The price includes a multiple copying licence allowing you to copy the Data CD itself (enabling you to give or sell copies to your cast for them to make up their own rehearsal books) or to make multiple prints of the pdf's on the Data CD for your production company to organise and provide to your cast or crew.

To order this, create account with us, then go to the 'Ordering for Musicals' page

Please note that we do not sell individual printed copies of libretti, nor do we hire sets of printed rehearsal libretti or scores.

Available after Rights Obtained ...
 
Backing Tracks
Not available.
Orchestrations
These are available for a 16 piece orchestra as below, for hire to production companies only, who hold a valid, unexpired, licence to perform.
 
  • Celli
  • Drum Kit
  • Electric Bass
  • Flute
  • Horn
  • Guitar 1
  • Guitar 2
  • Keyboard 1
  • Keyboard 2
  • Percussion / Timpani
  • Reeds
  • Trombone
  • Trumpet
  • Viola
  • Violins
  • Acoustic Bass (Optional)
  • MD's Full Score
Royalty Type
Royalties for this title are 'variable fee, post paid', and will be calculated on a percentage of your box office income once your production has finished. See our pricing policy for details. We work on a quotation system for royalties, based on information you supply to us. Complete a printed application form or create account with us, and use the online version.
Video Licence
We have secured the rights to video productions of this title from the Authors, and we manage them on their behalf. Once a 'Licence To Perform' has been granted, and then on payment of a fee, we will be able to issue a 'Licence To Record'. There are some strings attached to this, but these are far outweighed by the benefits.
 
  • Record one or more live performances and mix down to a single video
  • Give or sell copies to your cast and crew
  • Sell copies to your audiences (take advance bookings on the night)


Order your free preview script or perusal material now ...
  • Preview E-Script (Rush) A4
    £0.00 Preview E-Script (Rush) A4
    A free preview script containing a significant part of the full script and provided as a pdf file sized for A4 paper.
  • Perusal Set
    £0.00 Perusal Set
    PLEASE NOTE : We operate a FREE Perusal Service, but our Perusal Sets are ONLY available to customers who are representatives of a production company, school, church, or amateur group. If you qualify, the set will be...
  • Royalty Quotation Form (FL)
    Royalty Quotation Form (FL)
    The rights to perform and record for all the titles in our catalogue are managed by Stagescripts Ltd. You should not assume that a licence to perform will always be granted. Please request a quotation at the earliest...
  • Rehearsal Master Set
    £0.00 Rehearsal Master Set
    Rehearsal Master Sets (RMS) are available to purchase, once your production has been licensed. You will need the 5 digit licence reference number (see above). They are available as a Dropbox download or on a USB Stick. If...
  • Backing Tracks (Performance)
    £0.00 Backing Tracks (Performance)
    Sets of Backing Tracks on: USB Stick with mp3 files, or Dropbox, mp3 file downloads (e-mailed link) to use during performances (or rehearsals). The price will be shown after you select the title required. In order to...