Here's a reworking of a scene of sitcom idea I did awhile back which I shelved because it involved a cast of thousands and would need a huge budget. I've thought how I could trim it down and will look at developing it some more.
I've just tinkered with the opening scene which features the main character Susan, the entainments manager at the struggling provincial theatre, The Regal.
I won't say too much about the other characters other than to say that they also work at the theatre and often on the bill as an Eagles tribute, The Regal Eagles.
No punchline - just a bit of dialogue for your delectation...
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SCENE 1: Entertainments office.
Susan is on the phone talking to an agent and seems genuinely excited by the prospect of securing a big show for the Regal. She hangs up, her shoulders sag and she puts her head in her hands.
SUSAN: Nooo, what have I done.
DON: What's up?
SUSAN: I've just agreed to something I vowed I'd never do...
GLEN: Oo, that sounds saucy!
SUSAN: ...I've booked us up with an Elvis tribute act.
GLEN: Oh.
DON: Oh great another dead performer rises again. Jeez, when is this place going to deal with the land of the living? There's enough embalming fluid out there to fill a swimming pool.
GLEN: He has a point. Who is it tonight? Bloody Holly?
SUSAN: Yeah, complete with mock plane crash which I think is in very bad taste. I had no idea until we had the papier mache wreckage delivered this morning.
DON: Then on Thursday we have Freddie More Curry, an Asian Queen tribute act and then it's the Jimi Hendrix near-death Experience on Friday.
SUSAN: Yeah, yeah I know. I'm well aware we've got to try and attract bigger names here.
BERNIE: Englebert Humperdink? That's a big name.
SUSAN: No that's a long name. He might be living but we simply don't have enough letters for the sign out front. Have you seen what's up there at the moment?
CUT TO SIGN OF THEATRE ENTRANCE WITH SIGN THAT SAYS '_HIS WEE_ _RANK SINATRA T_I__T_'
SUSAN: I had to take the Elvis gig or it would've been the Regal Eagles again.
GLEN: And what's so bad about that? According to the terms of our contract we do have a residency here.
SUSAN: That's a tenancy agreement and a dodgy one at that. Squatting in the old projector room does not constitute a residency.
DON: Maybe having Elvis ain't so bad. Should get a decent if demented crowd in though. I'll order more burgers. Let's see how many heart attacks we can get by the interval.
SUSAN: If we can get just one big star I'm sure other will follow. (BEAT) C'mon, break over guys. Let's get the place sorted for tonight. Bernie? Can you listen for the phone for five minutes?
BERNIE: Can't hear anything.
SUSAN: (SIGHS) Be sure to let me know if you do.
