by David Hampshire

Synopsis

Comedian Norman Tate is struggling for work and he passes his time rehearsing his (very average) act with Sally Chester, the love-struck daughter of his landlady, Alice; Sally is enamoured with another resident, song and dance man Charlie Prince. Sally informs Norman that their cuckoo clock was accidentally damaged by Norman’s ex-wife speciality act Nellie Price, which has deeply upset Alice. Norman tells Sally that (among several other men) Nellie is involved with Harold Chance, a local impresario. Sally tends to her war-wounded, bed-bound father Bernard.

Norman cautions Charlie not to lead Sally along as he is aware that Charlie plays for the ‘other team’. Alice forewarns Norman that Nellie is moving into the lodgings. Victor Llewellyn (a conjurer and Norman’s best pal) returns Norman’s fob watch to him (which Norman has sold to the local publican to pay his bar bill). Nellie moves in creating tension in the household. Charlie, who is employed by Harold Chance, discovers that Norman has been booked by Harold to support Bob West, a famous pianist. Harold unexpectedly calls for Nellie and Charlie betrays Norman by telling Harold Norman is professionally unreliable. Victor and Norman celebrate Norman’s booking and they get Bernard drunk in the process, much to the annoyance of Alice and Sally.

Well known actor and another ‘friend’ of Nellie’s, Laurence Mason, arrives seeking accommodation and it is apparent that Laurence and Alice know each other. Laurence reveals to Nellie that twenty years previously he and Alice had had a brief but intense relationship while Bernard was away at war. Laurence tells Nellie that another resident, pianist Arthur Merson, had once enjoyed success with a novelty song but his career had been destroyed by a management swindle.

Norman receives a telegram informing him that his engagement supporting Bob West has been cancelled. Charlie delightedly reveals that he has landed Norman’s booking. Alice and Laurence discuss their past and we learn that it was Laurence who gave Alice the cuckoo clock. Alice then reveals that Laurence is Sally’s father. Harold Chance confronts Charlie about his deception over Norman and he tears up Charlie’s contract prompting Charlie to quickly leave town, which upsets Sally. Laurence is highly emotional as he knows he won’t see Sally again and he departs on tour leaving Alice bereft.

Duration

Characters

Principals (5m, 3f, 1m/f)

• Alice Chester - late 50's, a theatrical landlady
• Sally Chester - early 20's, Alice’s daughter
• Norman Tate - early 60's, a comedian
• Charlie Prince - mid 20's, a song and dance man
• Victor Llewellyn - early 60's, a verbose Welsh magician
• Nellie Price - late 50's, a speciality act
• Harold Chance - mid 60's, an impresario
• Laurence Mason - late 50's, an actor
• Arthur (or Martha) Merson - late 70's/early 80's, an eccentric pianist