Q: Is there anything more frustrating than being a One Hit Wonder?
A: Maybe being a One Hit Wonder Tribute Act.
But what goes on behind the wigs,
costumes and shades?
This play tells the story of two Tribute Wannabees, Bob and Eric, who meet at
an audition which might be their last chance for fame.
Both
are only a song away from making their dreams come true...
but Rock n' Roll can break your heart.
Their dedication stands out, their history is uncovered and their future unfolds...
A story driven along by songs from the sixties that might lead them to the promised land... 'The Crying Game', 'Urban Spaceman', I'm The Pied Piper', 'San Francisco', 'Something In The Air', 'Spirit In The Sky', and many more.
Reviews
In this gem of a play we meet two wonderfully realised characters in road-hardened rocker Eric (Dave Marsden) and naive newcomer Bob (Pat Abernethy). What a pleasure it was to spend an hour and a half in the company of these superbly played 'rugged up' write-offs. They may be going nowhere - but in a hugely enjoyable play, laced with some great 60s covers, loads of humour and painful candour - it's a trip well worth taking. I loved it.
Andre Barreau aka 'George' The Bootleg Beatles
Pat Abernethy & Dave Marsden were brilliant in “The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band Changed My Life Forever” This play had the perfect combination of humour, nostalgia & sadness & should be destined for a much larger stage setting. Pat & Dave transformed themselves into two humorous losers still chasing their own particular dream in the bottom end of the music industry. Their singing & acting combined, kept the play flowing at all times, culminating with a heart breaking emotional twist at the end of the play. Patrick Prior is obviously a very talented script writer. Thanks for a very entertaining evening.
Martin Brett – “Voice of the Beehive”
Pat Abernethy and Dave Marsden brilliantly inhabit the personae of aspiring but hopeless dream seekers with wit, pathos and a neat line in performing those one-hit wonder songs from the 60's which are a soundtrack to many lives. It all works perfectly.
Piers Jackson - critic
With the soundtrack of the 60's and 70's it would be almost impossible to fail........... Songs like 'Bobby's Girl' and 'Monster Mash' push all the right buttons and the final song 'Urban Spaceman', provides an upbeat ending. Pat Abernethy brings great subtlety and understatement to his role.......... He also has emotional depth. When he receives bad news by telephone, his response is heart rending and utterly believable.
Jenny McBain, Hi-Arts
AUDIENCE REACTION
"It
was a grand bit of writing and the characters were realised with such fine
regard to the emotion of the piece; laughs and tears in a perfect balance. Your
performances were finely crafted and the renditions of Crying Game and Juliet
really hit the heart-strings.......................Cumbernauld Theatre.
"
"I
thoroughly enjoyed the performance and am pleased to say I managed to remember
most of the words to the great songs you sang.
Fab!.............................Byre Theatre, St Andrews."
"Saw
your show last night in Leighton Buzzard, great, really enjoyed it.....I thought
it was an interesting format and needless to say all the songs were
familiar..................................Leighton Buzzard Theatre."
"Dear
Pat and Dave, Brilliant! Thank you for a wonderful evening. I'd love to know
where and when you are appearing in the future....Peace and love!
...................................The Georgian Theatre, Richmond."
"Congratulations on another excellent performance this evening. I enjoyed it very much.........Tara Arts Centre, London."
This show had its World Premiere at The Yvonne
Arnaud Mill Studio, Guildford on 2, 3, 4 October 2008.
The Show has since been seen at:
The Festival Theatre, Pitlochry
Queens Theatre, Hornchurch
Georgian Theatre, Richmond, Yorks
Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich
Square Chapel, Halifax
Festival of Chichester
Capitol Theatre, Horsham
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
Sarah Thorne Theatre, Broadstairs
Vera Fletcher Hall, Thames Ditton
Underground Theatre, Eastbourne
Ifield Barn, Crawley
Colour House Theatre, Merton Abbey Mills, London
The Phoenix Theatre, Bordon, Hants
Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy
Stables Theatre, Hastings
Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock
Eastgate Theatre, Peebles
The Village Theatre, Cumbernauld
East Kilbride Arts Centre
Biggar Festival
Lyth Arts Centre
The Space Arts Centre, Isle of Dogs
Spotlight Theatre, Bridlington
The Byre Theatre, St Andrews
Old Well Theatre, Moffat
Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh
The Heron Theatre, Cumbria
Fisher Theatre, Bungay
Tara Arts Centre, Earlsfield, London
Theatre Royal, Dumfries
Easdale Arts Centre, Easdale Island
Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine
Regal Theatre,Bathgate
McPhail Arts Centre, Ullapool
Dornie Village Hall
Carlops Village Hall
Black Isle Leisure Centre, Fortrose
Arts Guild Theatre, Greenock
Stratherrick Hall, Gorthleck
Village Hall, Achiltibuie
Wilde Theatre, Bracknell
Colchester Arts Centre
Wyllyots Centre, Hertsmere
Leighton Buzzard Theatre
Minima Yacht Club, Kingston upon Thames