Billing
- Book and Lyrics by
- Music and Lyrics by
Requirements
PRODIGY
Book and Lyrics by Jake Brunger
Music and Lyrics by Pippa Cleary
Commissioned and produced by the National Youth Music Theatre
and first performed on Wednesday 12th August 2015 at the St. James Theatre, London
Full Synopsis
Act 1
We meet the contestants and parents of new classical music reality show Prodigy (Proud). Among the five finalists is precocious Kate,a rising star in the classical world and daughter of acclaimed flautist Eileen Kavanagh (Just Like You). Backstage, youngest contestant Claire tells of how her instrument helps to cure her anxiety disorder (My Clarinet) and trumpeter Rupert reveals his long-standing bitter rivalry with classmate Kate (Why I Hate Kate). The parents watch their children recording their video interviews, during which percussionist Luke is cynically forced to reveal on camera that he took up playing the drums after the death of his mother (Apple Of My Eye).
Later that day, Kate and Luke argue in a practice room, leading to a spark between them as they play their pieces in a passionate improvised duet (Really Good). Meanwhile, rehearsing on set with the conductor, Jessie’s recently separated parents storm the stage, fighting over her style of playing, whilst Jessie secretly reveals her dream of being a songwriter (Block out the Noise). After a late night argument with her mum over her growing attraction to Luke, Kate persuades Luke to escape the hotel and break into Hyde Park so they can be together (Act One Finale).
Act 2
On hearing that two of the contestants have snuck out of the hotel with cigarettes and vodka, producer Melissa is gleeful about the potential scandal it will cause (Good TV). Luke and Kate are discovered in Hyde Park in the middle of the night and Luke is forced to falsely confess to leading her astray. Dave, Luke’s father, persuades him to leave the competition and keep his dignity (Walk Away). Back in the hotel, Claire’s sister Chloe and Rupert’s brother Harry lament how their parents ignore them in favour of their more talented siblings (We’ve Got Talent Too).
The next day, the competition begins (Prodigy) with the five finalists grabbing a final moment of calm before the live TV broadcast (Just a Moment). The final goes disastrously wrong (The Competition) and Luke returns, storming the stage to play his piece (Really Good Reprise). Backstage, Eileen realises she needs to let Kate grow up and be her own person (Mother’s Shoes).
Jessie is announced as the winner, and finally shows her parents her songwriting talents – live on air (Say It In Song).