J. William Davis - THEATRICS - Anyone Can Whistle

Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents

The Roundhouse, London

A hated mayoress, faced with her town's bankruptcy, concocts a fake miracle to bring in tourism. During the tourist rush the inmates from the local asylum, the 'Cookie Jar', escape. Doctor Hapgood arrives claiming that he can identify the Cookies and separate them from the sane members of society. The Cookies' nurse refuses to identify her charges and then falls in love with Hapgood. Mayhem ensues until the normal order can be restored restored.

The play is staged in-the-round on a raised platform. Entries and exits are via curving ramps and from the central lift. Changes in the setting occur through the raising and lowering of central elements and in the flying in of the 'Cookie Jar' cage.

Mayoress Hooper competes throughout with the younger Nurse Apple to retain her superior status in the town. She tries to become sexier in her appearance to draw Hapgood away from the nurse.

Mayoress Cora Hoover Hooper

'I'm Like
the Bluebird'

Seating
around stage

'There's Always a Woman'

'Anyone
Can Whistle'

Act 3 Scene 4 - 'There's Always a Woman' - Cora and Fay around boxing ring singing of conspiratorial women.

Act 3 Scene 1 - Cora monitors her town from the control centre of her office.

Act 2 Scene 3 - 'Anyone Can Whistle' Hapgood & the Lady from Lourdes skirt around his hotel room's bed.

Act 1 Scene 8-Hapgood separates the cookies and townspeople into two groups, then faces the audience declaring 'You are All Mad'.

Act 1 Scene 4 - 'Miracle Song' - A miraculous spring rises from a rock prompting pilgrims to arrive in town.

Act 1 Scene 2 - 'Me and My Town' - Cora climbs a spiralling stair built by her Boys from scattered boxes.

Act 1 Scene 1 - 'I'm Like the Bluebird' - Townsquare is filled with boxes, rubble and the Cookie Jar cage.

A raised, rotating central stage, reached by ramps, is surrounded by tiered seating in the Roundhouse.

Precedents: cage, geyser, bullring, fruitbox labels, circus, boxing ring, the Roundhouse, ringmaster, CCTV control centre.

Nurse Fay Apple dressed in nurse's uniform, Lady from Lourdes disguise and her battle dress.

Mayoress Cora Hoover Hooper dresses as ring leader, business woman and prepared to battle the Cookies.

Anyone Can Whistle