Surf’s Up! is a Rock ‘n Roll Musical, entirely sung, set on an Australian Beach.
The story: Boy meets Girl; Boy loses Girl; Boy meets Girl again. In this case the boy is Bruce “Dingles” Bell and the girl is Rhonda.
Character Descriptions
Bruce “Dingles” Bell: A keen surfer, easy going, very likeable, a bit of a clown. Does not set the world alight academically.
Rhonda: On first appearance she is the typical ugly duckling – glasses, pigtails, teeth in braces. She is a keen student and definitely not one of the beach crowd. Her first transformation makes her instantly attractive to Bruce, but her second transformation with the arrival of the Bikie into her life is startling. She eventually finds a balance between the girl of the diary confessions and the woman in leopard skin.
Caroline: An attractive older woman (22) who quits her job to find an idyllic life on the beach. She creates havoc with Bruce and Rhonda’s relationship.
The Bikie: Leather jacket and jeans. Greased back hair. A cool rocker.
Mick: Bruce’s mate, boyfriend of Suzy, a surfer. Like Bruce, he is no wunderkind.
Suzy: Mick’s girlfriend, becomes a friend of Rhonda.
Rhonda’s Mother: Hair in curlers and scarf. Feet in fluffy slippers.
“The Man”: A guru hippie type. Long hair with head band, brightly multi coloured caftan, sandals or bare feet. Can dance. Could have 2 hippie girls who dance with him.
Angel Choir: Dressed in white robes with halos above their heads.
School Students / Beach Crowd: The usual drop kicks and drop outs!
Obviously a production of “Surf’s Up!” can be done in many ways. Each production will bring their own “look” to it. I just ask that whatever is decided upon, never forget that the production should be bright and lively, and performed with a great sense of fun.
A Glossary of Terms Used
Surf’s Up!: Some decent sized waves at last!
Mates: Friends, people your parents haven’t met.
Big Set: A procession of large waves, usually in a group of three.
Sliding Over the Falls: Coming over the front of a wave.
Walking the Plank: Fast steps up and down the board. Show-off technique.
Climbing the Wall: At the beginning of the ride, as the wave picks you up.
Wipe Out: To fall ungraciously off the board. Usually hurts pride more than body.
Kissing: Two pairs of lips touching – affection optional.
Nirvana: The perfect wave, usually unattainable in one lifetime.
Compatible Lover: Someone who’ll do what you want to do all the time, no questions asked. Definitely unattainable in one lifetime.
School Days: Mythological time. Interchangeable with: “The Best Years of Your Life”. Attributed to old people who probably weren’t there to begin with.
Dux: Rhonda’s desire – to come first in the year.
Dog: Derogatory term for the opposite sex. Aka Fido, Mutt.
Book Worm: Loves turning pages – even at home!
Egg Head: Lots of nerve ends connect up top.
Four Eyes: Derogatory term for person who wears glasses. Also applicable to some Alien life forms.
Steel Teeth: Fashionable teenage dental wear.
Face Ache: Hard on the eyes.
Heart Ache: Hard on the feelings.
Diary: A book for innermost thoughts and secrets, usually resides under pillow or mattress, depending upon parents’ understanding.
Warts: Nineteenth Century euphemism for acne.
Teenage Years: 13 – 19, or any time in life when chucking a wobbly seems like a good idea.
(Chucking a Wobbly: Tantrum)
“I Want to be a Woman”: A desire held by all girls except those who are.
Hot Lips: Potentially a good kisser. Be warned: can be disappointing after experimentation.
Panel Van: A ancient car, grandson of covered wagon. (See American Wild West.) Curtains and art work optional.
Doll: Sexist term to describe an attractive and appealing person of the opposite sex. And / Or an inanimate object residing on your bed pillow.
Homework: School work the teacher forgot to give you.
Drive – In: A large board in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by a wire fence. Your mum and dad probably dated here – dad drove, mum got in free by hiding in the car’s boot.
Suntan: Prone position on sand in midday sun. Evolved from early 20th Century French Riviera tribes. Practised in Australia without the Private Beach!
Double Feature: Archaic practice of cinemas giving value for money. In the 70’s the first feature was replaced by a compulsory documentary on wildflowers in South Africa.
Walk ‘Neath the Moon: To hold hands and stroll. To enjoy someone else’s company without your head plugged into a mobile device.
Jerks: Archaic term for clowns.
School Dance: An ancient ritual with boys and girls moving around a polished floor, arm in arm, while real musicians played. Bon Homie reigned – no bouncers, no DJ, no gangs, no graffiti.
Hag: Fourth witch in Shakespearean play. Cut from final draft.
Could This Be Love?: Rhetorical question.
F.J. Holden: Mythical Australian car, neither the first nor the last. Idealised by those who never rode in one.
Hanging Five: The toes of one foot protrude over end of surfboard. Or Clint Eastwood western.
“The Man”: A guru-type. Spiritual leader of dubious heritage. Wealthy. Pays little tax. Lives off-shore.
Woodey: Old car with board racks up top.
Lobster Pot: Cane basket full of girl’s stuff. Cumbersome. Antique.
Rip: Fast-moving current. Usually carries you away from where you’d rather be.
Life Saver: A lolly, hole in centre.
Shark: Oceanic garbage-disposal unit. Do not pat.