Call Me Dusty (play with music)
6m, 6f (with doubling) large cast version. Also 1m, 2f professional version. running Time 1 hr 45 mins
Without doubt the finest white soul singer of her era, Dusty Springfield is for millions the definitive pop diva. Her lifestyle was the stuff of legend – and great drama. Misunderstood and often misquoted, with her relentless quest for perfection and refusal to compromise, Dusty Springfield led a tormented life.
Her stage persona – extravagant black mascara and backcombed hair – was at odds with the quiet, shy convent girl Mary O'Brien and her sexuality.
The result was a downward spiral of drugs, alcohol abuse and self-harm – but, despite all that, she produced tremendous music which still ranks as some of the finest of its kind.result was a downward spiral of drugs, alcohol abuse and self-harm– but, despite all that, she produced tremendous music, which still ranks as some of the finest of its kind.
For a free downloadable evaluation script and details of performing rights, click here: Stagescripts.com
'Call Me Dusty' celebrates the music, while exploring the dichotomy of the private person and her alter ego. It is not a musical, but a play with music. The actress playing Dusty does not have to be a singer because all the music used in the show is commercially available recorded music, of Dusty Springfield and others, and therefore covered by PRS. In addition, specially edited versions of the music are available as mp3 downloads for companies wishing to perform the show.
The play received excellent reviews when originally produced by Ignition Theatre to celebrate the anniversary of the release of her first solo single 'I Only Want To Be With You' which was released in November 1963, selling a million copies and earning a gold disc.
“While the play itself will be of immense interest to the icon’s loyal fanbase… the true success of the piece lay in the universal appeal of its writing. Because ultimately Derek Webb has written a heartfelt play of a young girl who succumbs to the lure of stardom which will appeal to fans of good drama regardless of any prior knowledge of the star at its heart.” South Wales Evening Post
There are two versions of the play... the small cast version is designed to be performed by three actors: one playing Dusty Springfield with 1m, 1f playing all the other parts, and the other is a large cast version comprising 6m, 6f (with doubling) or 13m, 10f (without doubling).
Characters
Large Cast Version Cast in order of appearanceAnnouncer: (m or f) any age – voice onlyResearcher 1: (m) any ageResearcher 2: (f) any ageKay O’Brien: Dusty’s mother – Irish, 30s – kind hearted, warmOB: Dusty’s father – opinionated, perhaps a bit of a bullyDusty: plays from schoolgirl age to 30+Tom O’Brien: Dusty’s elder brother – soon to be Tom SpringfieldRiss Chantelle: lead singer in the Lana SistersProducer: (f) 20s-40s – Smartly dressed, posh BBC producerFloor Manager: (m) 20s-40s – Manchester accent – definitely not poshReporter: (f) 20s-40s – pleasant, enthusiasticVic Billings: (m) 30s – smartly dressed, slightly affected accentPat Rhodes: (f) 30s – Dusty’s secretary – mumsy, very pleasantRecording Engineer: (m) 20s-50s – slightly nerdy, irascibleMale Teenager – non-speaking partFemale Teenager – non-speaking partReporter: (m) 20s-40s – insistent Vicki Wickham: (f) 30s – pleasant but tough producer of Ready Steady Go!Priest: (m) 30s-50s – warm, considerate, thoughtfulPolly Perkins: (f) 30s – singer with The Academy – very camp, very likeableJerry Wexler: (m) 30s-40s – American boss of Atlantic Records. Southern, dryRay Connolly: (m) 30s-40s – columnist for the Evening StandardChairman: (m) 40s-60s – Yorkshire nightclub owner – very brashEric Plant: (m) 30s-40s – gay dress designer Suggested Casting (6m, 6f)Male – 40s-50s: Announcer/OB/Chairman/Recording Engineer/Priest Male – any age: Researcher 1Female – any age: Researcher 2Female – 30s-40s: Kay O’Brien/Producer/Female reporterFemale – 20s-30s: DustyMale – 20s: Tom O’Brien/Floor Manager/Male TeenagerFemale – 20s-30s: Riss Chantelle/Female Teenager/Polly PerkinsMale –30s-40s: Vic BillingsFemale – 30s: Pat RhodesMale – 30s-40s: Reporter/Jerry WexlerFemale – 30s: Vicki WickhamMale – 30s-40s: Ray Connolly/ Eric Plant
