Try to play this scene in as animated and stylistic manner as possible. Some of the best versions I have seen have had four actors multi rolling. This has forced them to be imaginative about, for example, the creation of the Troll. This grotesque creature can be been created by all the performers suddenly becoming this one character1 and swiftly returning to become their original roles. There are also possibilities to re-visit this creature to enable the audience to see the Drs through Catherineâs eyes later in the play (Section 6).
Aim for cartoon/comedy style differentiation in the portrayal of the family of goats. Use every possibility to make this scene both engaging and funny. Adding the occasional involuntary âBahâ always goes down well. Feel free to play with the scene! It needs to be a highlight!
1 For an example of how to do this see the Billy Goat 4 play on the bonus feature Crossing The Bridge (by RSCoYT) on the Hard to Swallow DVD/download available from Salamander Street.
Section 1
THE BILLY GOATS
NARRATOR: Once upon a time there was a family of goats.
DADDY: There was a daddy goat.
MUMMY: There was a mummy goat.
BABY: And a baby goat.
ALL: Aaah!
MUMMY & DADDY: High expectations.
MUMMY: To cross the bridge.
DADDY: To live in the green field.
MUMMY & DADDY: Just like we did when we were young.
MUMMY & DADDY: Cross the bridge.
BABY: But I must tidy my playpen.
MUMMY & DADDY: Cross the bridge.
BABY: Tidy my playpen.
MUMMY, DADDY & NARRATOR: (Chanting.) Cross the bridge⊠cross the bridge⊠cross the bridge⊠cross the bridgeâŠ
TROLL: (Leaping onto the bridge blocking BABYâs path. Threatening.) Troll!
BABY: Scared.
TROLL: (Threatening.) Troll!
BABY: Scared. (Running to parents.)
TROLL: (Threatening.) Troll!
MUMMY: Protection.
BABY: Safety.
DADDY: Seethe.
BABY: Playpen. (Goes into it.) Security.
DADDY: Open the door!
MUMMY: Leave Baby aloneâŠ
DADDY: Cross the bridge!
MUMMY: Be patient.
DADDY: Open the door.
MUMMY: Leave Baby alone.
DADDY: Cross the bridge!
MUMMY: Be patient.
DADDY: (To MUMMY.) Donât you see? Baby will never come out!
NARRATOR: Visitor from a neighbouring field.
JO: Jo the Goat. (To MUMMY.) Playpen.
MUMMY: Cross the bridge.
JO: Playpen⊠just like Babyâs.
MUMMY: Here it is⊠but our baby never came out.
TROLL: You can have one too. Iâll build one for youâŠ
JO: Small⊠FrighteningâŠ
TROLL: You can have one too. Iâll build one for you.
JO: I donât like it⊠I donât want it.
MUMMY, DADDY & NARRATOR: Cross the bridge⊠cross the bridge⊠cross the bridgeâŠ
TROLL: (Disheartened.) You can have one too. Iâll build one for you.
TROLL sits on the bridge sobbing as JO successfully crosses the bridge.
MUMMY, DADDY & NARRATOR: Crossed the bridge.
(Silence.)
Section 2
CHRISTMAS â73 â THE DUNBAR HOUSEHOLD
MAUREEN, JOHN, SIMON, ANNA and CATHERINE are seated round their dining table. In âfast forwardâ motion they mime eating their Christmas dinner etc. The family are enjoying themselves, pulling crackers etc. accompanied by Christmas Carol which is also sped up. Each of the characters wears a party hat for the duration of this scene. The aim of the scene is to illustrate a happy family.
ALL: Christmas 1973.
MAUREEN & JOHN: Christmas Day. Five oâclock in the morning.
SIMON: Wakey wakey!
ANNA, SIMON & CATHERINE: Celebration!
ANNA: Bleary eyes focus on.
ANNA, SIMON & CATHERINE: (Screaming with excitement.) Christmas stockings⊠rush.
CATHERINE: Lots of new toys.
ANNA, SIMON & CATHERINE: Loads of noise!
ANNA: Sweets.
ANNA, SIMON & CATHERINE: Lots to eat. Mmmm! Tasty!
SIMON: Ten-fifteen.
ANNA, SIMON & CATHERINE: (Sung a la plainsong.) Time for church.
ANNA: Anna⊠brand-new blouse.
SIMON: Simon⊠brand-new tie.
ANNA & CATHERINE: (Jokingly.) Sexy!
CATHERINE: Catherine⊠a brand-new skirt.
ANNA, SIMON & CATHERINE: Ready.
JOHN: Christmas, and the weeks leading up to it, were always a time of activity, excitement and joyfulness in our family. We always paid a visit toâŠ
ANNA, SIMON & CATHERINE: Harrodsâ toy department. Wow!
JOHN: And nearer Christmas we would make another trip to London to see the light...