The Other Half: Flung on a Fling.
Synopsis
The action begins on a fish farm near your town and continues in Persia, around 2500 years ago.
Totum Bottom and Eileen March and their pets are strolling in a glade by a pond on the Fish Farm. They hear an odd voice, and Marv the Half-Bird runs in. He doesn't know where he is or what language to use so he communicates in German from Mozart (“zu Hülfe, zu Hülfe, sonst bin ich verloren!”). But the "dragon" from which Marv is fleeing is only Humbird, the pet, who appears, draggin' his leash behind him. Marv speaks English anyway. He tells his story, lost in space and time, flunkt from his home in ancient Persia.
Sue, the Fish Farmer, arrives and recognizes Humbird as a fish thief, back again to her pond. Marv tells his story and asks for some help to get back to Persia. When Sue discovers another fish theft, she chases them all away.
There is a Hermit nearby with powers; he creates a magical ceremony for retransportation. Just as the incantations perfect themselves, Humbird jumps at Marv; the others jump at Humbird, and poof! They are all retransported. Back in time and away they go, arriving in ancient Persia. Marv, fearing more trouble, sends the children to find a certain Magus who can get the children re-retransported home. While he takes a relaxed snooze, they mistake his directions and wander into a bad place, where Ahriman the Evil One passes the time as Host and Bartender: the Lizard Leg Café. He puts the other pet, Furbelow, in isolation and bamboozles the children into a quest, which, if fulfilled, would tilt the balance of power between good and evil toward his side. Furbelow, accused of being a transmigrated soul, is held as hostage.
It's curtains.
In the second act, the children are attempting to complete their quest: they must dose the guardian fish, Momma Kar, with a sleeping chip and take the seeds of the Tree of Life. Luckily for civilization, Momma is an alert guardian and the plan fails. They find their way back to Marv, help him to disguise himself as a baby camel, and begin plan B. Unfortunately before Marv can tell them the rest of plan B he snacks on one of the chips that Ahriman had intended for the Fish, and falls asleep again. Humbird eats one too, and falls asleep.
The Great King Darayavaush happens by on the way to the Great King's Pond. He takes a liking to them, especially Humbird, and agrees to help them. Back in Ahriman's prison, Furbelow meets Alice, the other Half-Bird. Even though she has only one wing, with the help of a friend Alice can fly a little. They escape together.
Ahriman thinks it is time for the great battle. He calls his lizards and attacks the King's forces. Alice and Furbelow arrive, the Half-Birds are re-united, good wins, Ahriman retreats. The Magus sends the kids back home. All is well today! (Ah but in the near future, next opera, ask Peewee about that. Then check in with Grendel's mother.)
A genuine historical Zoroastrian blessing is spoken, and the curtain falls.
Return to topPersons
Principal Characters in Order of Appearance
Totum Bottom, a boy of about 12 (treble or mezzo-soprano) Eileen March, a girl of about 12 (treble or mezzo-soprano) Humbird, a Kingfisher (funny actor, child or adult, in a costume, silent acting role) Furbelow, a large and cute Frog (funny actor in a costume, silent acting role) Marv, the Half-Bird (tenor) Bashbaha (mezzo or soprano), Bouncer [optional double] Ahriman (baritone or tenor), Host and the Evil One [optional double] Alice, the Half-Bird (soprano) King Darayavaush, the Great and very large king (baritone)
Children's Chorus
Lizards (Monitor Lizards, Terpsi Lizards, and Seethers)
Monitor Lizards are older children to help with management.
Terpsi Lizards sing and dance in the Finales and the Lizard Call
Seethers sing, hiss, roar, flash, and writhe.
Fish, chorus including the highest voices (two very high voices soli)
Extras in Order of Appearance
Sue, a grumpy fish farmer (sing-shouts, acts) The Hermit (mumbles and does some magic) Baby Kar, a baby fish at the Pond of the Tree of Life (child, one line role) The Momma Kar as big as a car(two-person action costume, silent) Archers, Messenger, SoldiersReturn to top
Scenery
The underlying setting is a small Pond, up left, used as Sue's Pond, the Café Fountain, the Pond of the Tree of Life, and the King's Pond.
Act I
Scene 1 Sue's Pond, stage left, in a glade of trees. Entrances left and right. A scarcely noticeable door stage right for the Hermit's shack.
Scene 2 The Fire Temple, Ancient Persia. A simple backdrop or set piece of a Zoroastrian FIRE TEMPLE with a large open arched doorway, right, flown in or pushed on during the smoke and flash of the Hermit's magic at the end of Scene 1. Lighting on right only.
Scene 3 The Café in the Square. A FOUNTAIN (the Pond), a TABLE for three by the fountain, up left of center, a DOOR with a grate (the prison) at the left exit. Another exit up left, behind fountain, and an exit right. A small TABLE for one, behind bars, up center. The Fire Temple is altered to be the façade of another Café in the square, pulled up right and out of focus, a small unobtrusive SIGN on it, "Forget the Name". A SIGN down right center reading "The Lizard Leg" marks the café entrance.
Act II
Scene 1 The Pond of the Tree of Life, modified from the Fountain. Entrance up right, playing area for chase down left and center.
Scene 2 The Fire Temple. Marv has a POOL CHAIR and TOWEL.
Scene 3 the Prison, the TABLE behind bars in the Café from Act I, Scene 3, pulled down center. Alice's CELL down left or on a balcony if possible.
Scene 4 the Lizard Call. Same set as Sue's Pond, with a desert backdrop, no trees; the Pond lighting dimmed.
Scene 5 the King's Pond. Same set as Sue's Pond, with a desert backdrop, no trees. Lights for the Pond.
Scene 6 the Battle. Same set as Sue's Pond, with a desert backdrop, no trees; the Pond lighting dimmed.
Return to topCostumes
TOTUM Casual childrens clothing. EILEEN Casual childrens clothing. FURBELOW Frog costume with cute blue ribbon. HUMBIRD Bird costume, a Kingfisher, carries own leash. MARV, the Half-Bird A large bird with only one wing (must be able to sing, move, and lounge) ALICE, the Half-Bird A large bird with only one wing, matching and opposite side to wing of MARV SUE Farmer overalls, heavy shoes; carries a bucket with approximately 50 fish to drop into the pond; one of them is large enough to be seen and tugged by Sue and Humbird. HERMIT Shabby cloak and pointed hat. BASHBAHA Gruesome make up, barmaid costume. AHRIMAN Also gruesome, Old fashioned barman costume with apron. KING DARAYAVAUSH Crown, Balloon pants and sleeves, enormous wire-framed padding LIZARDS Children in simple costumes of three types: two older children as Monitor Lizards; the octet or quartet of dancing lizards, the Terpsi Lizards, in costumes for dancing; the remainder as Seethers with red lined capes that can be spread or closed. FISH Children in simple fish costumes, with small flapping fins.Return to top