Free and Easy

Set in 1960’s Manchester, Eric and Iris Dobbins have been running a friendly neighbourhood pub (The Last Drop) for many years, and regularly run an evening of ‘Free And Easy’ (now known as Karaoke), both of which have helped them to win the coveted ‘Pub Of The North’ Award twice. Everybody knows everybody – it’s a real family style pub; a home from home – somewhere to feel safe and warm and comfortable.

Their peaceful existence is threatened however by a visit from Ron Stone, the brewery’s new external premises consultant who presents them with a new five-year business plan and a revised tenancy agreement. The oleaginous Stone has seen the ‘marketing potential’ of The Last Drop and has persuaded the brewery to not renew their existing agreement, but to demand twenty-five thousand pounds for a new one. Failure to pay will mean eviction – and thus allow the consultants to take over the pub and transform it into an ‘entertainment centre’ where pole-dancing and other salacious events are held. Eric, Iris and Tracy (their daughter) are distraught, Vanessa and Sharon (the barmaids) are devastated, and the regulars (Kev, ‘Switch’ and Lonnie) are disconcerted.

With over fifteen songs from the 50s and 60s, to be successful, this play with music requires an enthusiastic cast of strong actor/singers, and a small competent band.

Authors

Plot / Synopsis

Musical Items

Act One

   #1 Da Doo Ron Ron -

Company

   #2 It’s Not Unusual

(short instrumental extract)

-

The Band

   #3 Bye Bye Blackbird

(instrumental extract)

-

The Band

   #4 Living Doll

(short extract)

-

Eric

   #5 Bobby’s Girl -

Vanessa & Sharon

   #6 Bye Bye Love -

Kev & Switch

   #7 Down Town -

Sharon

   #8 Ghost Riders in the Sky -

Lonnie

   #9 Why Do Fools Fall in Love -

Vanessa, Lonnie & Company

 #10 Cry Me A River -

Vanessa

 #11 Rock Around The Clock -

Company
Act Two

 #12 Can’t Help Falling In Love -

Kev

 #13 These Boots Were Made For Walking -

Tracy, Vanessa & Sharon

 #14 When I Fall in Love -

Tracy & Switch

 #15 Dedicated Follower of Fashion -

Company

 #16 Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow -

Company

 #17 Medley

(I’m A Believer; California Dreaming & Da Doo Ron Ron)

-

Company

Cast

(5m, 4f)
Eric Dobbins - Landlord of ‘The Last Drop’ pub
Iris Dobbins - Landlady of ‘The Last Drop’ pub
Tracy Dobbins - Iris and Eric’s daughter.
Sharon Booth - a barmaid
Vanessa Spinks - another barmaid, a single working mother with twins
Lonnie Lennox - a pub regular, rather simple
Kev Sutcliffe - another pub regular, a scout leader
Steve ‘Switch’ Mullen - another pub regular, an electrician, slightly ‘spivvy’
Dodgy’ Ron Stone - the Brewery’s Premises Consultant