The Last Resort

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

The Plays

 
 
 
 
 

Music in The Last Resort

Music is used  extensively in The Last Resort to mark the changes between scenes and to help enhance the atmosphere. In some cases - such as the donkeys - characters effectively have their own "theme tunes".

Many of these pieces have a classic "summertime" feeling and are fairly timeless. Others, such as the dance music, can date quite rapidly and should be replaced with more contemporary pieces. In all cases the pieces need to be edited so that they can fit crisply into the action. You do not want to have action on stage delayed by the cast having to wait for a slow fade in. You can easily edit music using computer software so you get straight to the section you want to use from a song.

Below is a list of all the pieces of music used. I will try to update this with alternative suggestions as time goes by

Summertime by Gershwin - This is used at the opening of the play. In the original production one of the cast played this as a saxophone solo whilst the rest of the cast entered. In a subsequent touring version it was sung by a cast member with a strong "bluesy" voice. Using live music at the beginning is a nice touch if you can manage it.

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly by Enio Morricone - This is Vic (Clint) Eastwood's theme tune - you can't really substitute this. Even though spaghetti westerns are things of the past, this music conjours up an instant image!

Wake Up by The Boo Radleys

Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves

Road to Nowhere by Talking Heads

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life by Monty Python - The donkey's theme tune. I really don't think you can beat this! It's still sung regularly on the football terraces so it's still instantly recogniseable. Edit it so you go straight into the chorus.

Young at Heart by The Bluebells. used as the old ladies theme music. Hard to beat really even though hardly contemporary. Words and tune fit the action well.

Albatross by Fleetwood Mac - you think hot summertime sun - you think "Albatross" - on just about every summer music compilation cd ever released!

The Boys are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy

Girls Just Wanna have Fun by Cindi Lauper

I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred - I really love this one (I'm too sexy for my shirt, too sexy for my shirt, so sexy it hurts!) but you may want to try the Tom Jones song from The Full Monty

Guaglione by Perez Prado - in the original production I used "The Race" by Yello which had an excellent beat and feel. Guaglione lends itself nicely though to well timed comedy moments in the music sequence.

Ride on Time by Black Box  - This is a bit dated but the screams work really well if Wayne mimes them well as he sees the sea coming in. You need to edit this piece to make it work.

Surfin USA by The Beach Boys

Justified and Ancient by The KLF

Things Can Only get Better by D Ream

You Took the Words Right Out of my Mouth by Meat Loaf

R U Ready for This   by 2 Unlimited

Celebration by Kool and the Gang

You Get What You Give by New Radicals