01:

THERE YOU ARE Chairman & Flo & Gwendolen: Prysock:

(Chairman & Company) Here within this garish parish Here Bill! I'm finally walking down the
Called the music hall... aisle, Bill!
Chairman: Oh Bill, here I am! Here I am!
What's a king without his crown? Chairman & Company: I am standing with a gent
Take away his throne and gown, There you are! Who seems singularly bent
He could be the rabble On attaching both his hands
Or the Russian czar. Chairman: To both my knees!
How very glad we are that
Company: Chairman:
Hear hear! Chairman & Company: Alice!
There you are!
Chairman: Nutting:
Judge each creature of our race
Chairman: I'm considering the lap
By each feature in his face.
It isn't who you are but Of a most engaging chap
Just look at him — (I rest my case),
And I'll let him do
Well there you are!
Chairman & Company: Exactly as I please!
Company: Where you are, and there you are,
There you are! and grateful are we to see Chairman:
Clive!
Chairman: Chairman & Company:
And it matters not to me How fine and fair you are! Paget:
What part of town you come from, There you are! I've a lady down in front
We but cheer you've made it here at all! Who's handed me her latch key —
Chairman: surely she must know
Angela! Angela, my dear, are you That spells her doom!
Company:
out there?
Hip hip hoorah!
Chairman: Chairman & Company:
Victor! There you are!
How distingué and debonair you
Grinstead: are...
And these lovely people will bravo me, Just slightly west of Leicester square
more or less. you are
Yes, there you are!
Chairman: That thankful we all should be
Deirdre! Full well-aware we are.
So lightning quick let's all kick up a
Peregrine: fuss!
And this man has grand designs to We can but pray your trust is blind in
show me us.
in my dressing room... So drink your fill and just unwind in
us!
Company: A warmly wicked frame
We care that Of mind in us, you'll find in us.
We want you! And not a lot
We care for where you've been,
And not a jot we care
How you got in:
We but care that there you are!
Damned if there you are!
 02: Unblessed are the dull.
03:
A MAN COULD GO QUITE MAD One ceaseless, peaceless lull.
Some wond'rous night,
TWO KINSMEN
(Jasper)
Storm struck thund'rous light (Drood and Jasper)
Jasper: Will cast me right.
Another trifling day, Drood:
One more soul-stifling day A sculptor lacking arms, My dearest Uncle Jack!
Of blinding pain: A sorc'ror lacking charms,
Boredom grinds my brain A fiend who frightens no one
Jasper:
Down to the grain. For there's no one that he harms!
My dearest Nephew Ned!
Whose clutches clutch at only
A man could go quite mad desp'rate respite
And not be all that bad. From this dim tableau! Both:
Consider each superb, disturbing urge Knowing this is so, A life without your friendship
you've ever had, Would be life as good as dead!
I hide myself in thought,
To curse aloud in church or choke each
bloke Where one cannot be caught,
Who throws a smile your way...! And feed on dreams that contradict Jasper:
Be that as it may: Each edict I've been taught. The winds of hell may blow,
And if someday I lose my way and But as you well may know,
A man could have bad dreams mind, you'll find me glad! I'll heed your call,
And not be all he seems, A man could go quite, No need too small,
Yet not be far-removed from all the (man could go quite) And face the fires below
noblest of extremes.
Man could go... For you!
Sometimes I think that sanity is just a
passing fad! quite mad!!
A man could go quite mad! Drood:
For you!

Jasper:
For you!
Drood: Drood: Both:
For you! For you!
True kinsmen are we two!
Drood and Jasper : Jasper:
Two kinsmen, more than brothers!
For you!
We know no next of kin 04:
And yet we know no others MOONFALL
Closer 'neath the skin. Both:
The blood that flows between us,
(Rosa)
Two kinsmen, more than brothers!
The bonds that tie us twain. We know no next of kin
Two kinsmen, when all others flee then And yet we know no others Rosa:
we remain!
Closer 'neath the skin. Between the very dead
The blood that flows between us, Of night and day,
Jasper:
The bonds that tie us twain; Upon a steely sheet
My dearest Nephew Ned!
Two kinsmen, when all others flee Of light, I'll lay,
then we remain! And in the Moonfall,
Drood: I'll give myself to you.
My dearest uncle jack!
Drood: I'll bathe in Moonfall
If men say words against you,
'Tis true! And dress myself in dew.
I would make them take them back!
A loyal lad am I Before the cloak of night
Who'd be but glad to die, Jasper: Reveals the morn,
If by my death one extra breath 'Tis true! Time holds its breath
Of life for you I'd buy. While it conceals the dawn,
'Tis true! And in the Moonfall,
Drood:
For you!
Jasper: All sound is frozen still.
'Tis true!
Jasper: Yet pressed against me,
For you! Your skin will warm the chill of
 05:
Moonfall. MOONFALL QUARTET Rosa Helena Wendy Beatrice
I feel its fingers. (Helena, Rosa, Wendy, Each one Time Each one
Lingers the veil of nightshade, Beatrice) of us will of us
Light made from stars sometime
That all-too-soon fall. Rosa Helena feel the
Moonfall same
I fear the Moon of fallen
That pours from you. Moonfall souls Must Must
sometime sometime
I fear the night I fear the night
Betwixt our hearts,
skies disguises you.
Let nothing intervene. Way Wait Wait
Between our eyes, Bright eyes will Night arises, you To meet To meet To meet To meet
The only sight I've seen Burn me, will burn then
Is lust'rous Moonfall With love With love With love With love
As it blinds my view,
Blind me, Blindingly you‘ll And never We And never
So that soon I only see but
you! fade.
Know his Go… Know its Oh
Find me But pay no mind Name name,
undressed to me, unrest
But in the But in the But in the But in the
Moonfall Moonfall Moonfall Moonfall
And all re- Is all I feel, oh Soon all Soon all Soon all Soon all
vealing, English child. Fears Fears Fears… Fears
Near, oh English Are few Are few …. fears Are few
child, Are few

Kneeling Nearer than the All:

moon So that soon I only see but you.
Before his view am I to you. So that soon I only see but you.
 06: I've seen girls from gutter fam'lies Give your old love some help with
THE WAGES OF SIN Trap rich men wiv flutt'ry ways, that last line, will you then? All
(Princess Puffer) And they coo, "cor, pass the jam, right, all together now:
please"
Over nuptial breakfast trays. All:
Princess Puffer:
Over there, in bed eleven,
"Crime don't pay!" With the wages of sin—
That's wot I tells 'em Sleeps a bleedin' hypocrite.
If it did, would I be here? Spends his days eyes cast to
'eaven: Princess Puffer:
Mixin' pipes,
Spends his nights amongst that Oh, bloody 'ell! You can do better
Wot then I sells 'em
shit— than that! Now get off your bums
For a pint of rotten beer.
and give us the notes, then,eh?
Now:
Throats you cut to pocket thruppence, Oh, I do beg your pardon, ladies and
Or you slut to cop some sleep. gentlemen! I didn't mean to—-I
Bash a face for bleedin' tuppence... assure you that will never, ever All:
happen again. Now where was With the wages of sin!
Pure disgrace to work so cheap. I? Oh yes: "shit.―

So I say don't be a sinner S'why I say, don't take half- Princess Puffer:
For the price of London gin! measures. God love you, God love you all!
You can't pay for one square dinner Do things right and dig right in!
With the wages of sin.
In this world, there's greater
Sell my soul? 'Cor love, come off it! treasures
Who would buy this sack of skin? 07:
Than the wages of sin.
On the whole there ain't much profit OPIUM DEN BALLET
I get threats, but seldom offers
In the wages of sin,
If I did, I'd pack it in.
In the wages of sin,
In the wages of sin! You can't fill that many coffers
With the wages of sin—
 08:
CEYLON/A BRITISH SUBJECT NEVILLE: Neville & Helena
(Helena, Neville, Drood, Perhaps you should first improve A British Subject on display
Crisparkle, Rosa, your own drab little island, In from Ceylon today.
Townspeople) Master Edwin. Our emigration
Helena: To this location
Ceylon...Ceylon Has brought our station down a mile!
DROOD:
By the Bengal Bay,
My uncle has given me some
account of your hot-tempered Neville:
Neville: past, sir. I hope you have left it
This distant nation
East of Jaipur, far behind you.
West of Mandalay! Divides creation
In rank and file, and
Neville: English are they
Helena & Neville: My reputation precedes me here And British am I.
Agra...Patna...
A situation I needs must fear
Sholapur and Kolhapur and all,
What hope have I of blending in Rosa, Crisparkle, Drood:
With this my shade of skin?
Helena: British are they and English am I
I thought I'd cleaned my slate at last
How far.....they are
But they anticipate my past.
From the High Street and the Market Crisparkle:
Hall. There are two subjects we don't
What do I owe them— discuss:
Drood: What they expect? One is our Monarch
It's all very well for you The other's us.
To speak of this distant view, Helena: And yet I fear you soon will be
But Rosa what's planned for me What shall I show them— The subject of scrutiny...
Is grander than sand and sea!
The full effect?
This vista that's in my sight
Neville
Where I'll set the world aright
A British Subject, nonetheless!
Awaits me...
It dominates me.
 Neville & Helena Drood, Rosa, Crisp. Townspeople
Helena
From where and why, they'll try to Our emigration Your migration Ooh
guess:
To this location To this destination-
Crisparkle: Has brought our At first we
Capetown or Burma, what's all the Station Thought you "Atian―oh!
fuss? Down a mile!
All terra firma belongs to us.
This distant nation The insulation
Divides creation Of our population
Neville & Helena:
In rank and file, and Is the explanation
A British Subject, bred and born, English are they And
and subject not to scorn. British am I, and

Our emigration Our emigration You,you are two

to this location To this destination— Who intrude
Has brought our station At first we Upon this town
Down a mile Thought you Atian oh & Edwin Drood
This distant nation The insulation On this isle
Divides creation Of our population— Natives smile!
In rank and file, and

Neville & Helena Neville

English are they and British am I! This is the way we'll stay...

All Others All

This is the way we'll stay... Til we die!!!!
Til we die!
 09: Sapsea: Jasper:
BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN I'll go along with you. Or black or white,
(Chairman/Sapsea, Jasper)
Both: Sapsea:
Jasper: Ha'penny, one penny, tupenny, It's up or down,
I am not myself these days. thrupenny,
For all I know, I might be you. Twelve to a shilling, twice that to a
There's more than room enough for two florin, Jasper:
Inside my mind! And would you not fancy the Or left or right,
currency foreign
Sapsea: To find the same face on both sides
of the coin? Sapsea:
I am likewise in a haze
Of who I am from scene to scene; Bob is your uncle from pennies to Or night,
What's more, we two, (we four, I mean), guineas,
Are in a bind! The two-sided mint is the rule not Both:
exception, Or day!
Jasper: And would you not feel quite the fool
For is it I, or is it he? of deception
Sapsea:
To find the same face on both sides
of the coin? Nature seldom ever fails to most
Sapsea: obligingly provide
And if I'm I and if I'm me An undisclosed opposing side to
Each one of us might not agree Sapsea: one's dismay.
On what to do. Odds or evens,
Jasper:
Jasper: Jasper: There's shadows in this shining morn,
And if I take opposing sides Heads or tails,
Within myself, then who divides
Up what is right or wrong? Sapsea:
Sapsea If there's a rose it bears a thorn.
It's high or low,
Jasper: Sapsea: Jasper Jasper, Sapsea & Ensemble:
You're good as dead as soon as born, La,la la la laaaa. (Repeat Chorus) Both sides of the coin! Hey!
La, lalalalala lahh!
Both: La,la la la laaaa.
10:
And yet we smile. La, lalalalala lahh!
PERFECT STRANGERS
Sapsea: Jasper: (Rosa & Drood)
But luck's division is perverse,
In for a penny...
Rosa:
Jasper: If we were perfect strangers,
Sapsea:
It seems to work more in reverse: How perfect life could be!
In for a pound.

Sapsea:
Jasper & Sapsea: Drood:
If things are better they'll be worse
In just a while. Ha'penny, one penny, tupenny, I'd know if I adore you—
thrupenny, You'd know if you love me.
Twelve to a shilling, twice that to a Too much we've seen together to
Both: judge the view.
florin,
Ha'penny, one penny, tupenny,
thrupenny, And would you not fancy the currency
foreign Rosa:
Twelve to a shilling, twice that to a
florin, To find the same face on both sides of Too much we've been together.
And would you not fancy the currency the coin?
foreign
To find the same face on both sides of Bob is your uncle from Drood:
the coin? Pennies to guineas, And I assumed the future—
Bob is your uncle from pennies to The two-sided mint is
guineas,
The two-sided mint is the rule not The rule not exception Rosa Drood
exception, And would you not feel And I presumed Ah—ah-
And would you not feel quite the fool of Quite the fool of deception That you were there...
deception To find the same face And yet
To find the same face on both sides of
On both sides of the coin? I wondered where we met...
the coin
Drood: Rosa: Rosa: Drood:
If we were perfect strangers, Brother. My dearest Ned, how My dear,
I'd find my way with ease.
much you mean to me... But are we
Drood:
Drood & Rosa: Sister. lovers, How
I'd see the path before me, would we
The forest from the trees.
Rosa: know it?
Drood: I— I pray you will take this How much you‘ve How could we
clasp...left to me by my
Could life be real without you?
mother...as a vow of my eternal feel it?
You're always there. friendship. Been to me... How would we
God bless you.
Rosa: show it?
How do I feel about you?
Drood:
Drood: God bless you, dear. Drood & Rosa:
I care... If we'd been perfect strangers,
Rosa: I might have loved you perfectly...
Rosa: How do I feel about you? Ah---
...too near to touch you.

Drood:
Rosa: Drood:
I care...
My dearest Ned, how My dear,
much you mean to me... But are we
lovers, How Rosa:
...too near to touch you.
would we
know it?
How much you‘ve How could we

feel it?
Been to me... How would we
 11: Jasper: Jasper:
NO GOOD CAN COME FROM My dearest Nephew Ned, Night must follow day!
BAD I wish to wish you well!
(Company) The world is yours before you All six:
Just like— No good can come from bad!
Neville:
Sir, I don't much like your tone, Waiter/Bazzard: Jasper:
That supercil'ous sneer you wear! Oysters on the shell! My dearest, deepest friends!
Clear, you wear a finer cut
May I propose a toast:
Than mine, ah but
A waistcoat worn Drood: To Rosa Bud and Edwin Drood,
Can soon be torn, Landless (as you are and known), Three cheers—
A weed like you Your blood is hot but less than pure!
Should bleed your blood so blue. Less, I'm sure than we. Waiter/Bazzard:
Your history would indicate the past And 'ere's the roast!
Rosa: Of some half-caste
Something in this speech seems Runs through your veins,
ominous to me! Crisparkle:
Your crudeness thus explains.
How very blessed are we,
Helena: When oh so many starve!
Twin, don't over-reach, pray promise Rosa: Thy kingdom come, Thy will be
this to me! Something sends a chill like feet done—
upon my grave!
Crisparkle: Jasper:
Praise to him divine, for this we should Helena: Which one of you will carve?
be glad!
Can my strength and will completely
Neville save?
Jasper:
Won't you try some wine?
Crisparkle:
Could these words they say bring
All six:
harm upon the lad?
No good can come from bad!
Neville & Drood: Jasper: 12:
Glances cut like blade through bone, And as I NEVER THE LUCK
With daggers drawn I glare at you, Stand by,
There at you who dare presume (Bax/Bazzard)
Take note:
To stare at whom
Your throat
I'd make my wife Bax/Bazzard:
Sounds quite dry,
And share my life— Never the luck, and never the lead,
I'd see you dead This wine
Should satisfy! And "never you mind," they say.
Before sweet Rosa wed. In time we all taste the lime in the
light,
Helena: All: And I'll have my night someday.
Fate waits near! I feel it, I fear it. With these new additions, there may Still...
We are friends, and yet, be revealed Each precious part
They'll not soon forget Murderous admissions otherwise Seems over and done
Hearing Neville's threat, concealed.
Before I've begun to speak.
Every epithet!
I cast out my line
Neville & Drood: And keep my hand in,
Crisparkle Fie on you, I curse! Full warning you But I'll not stand in this week.
In younger days, I hungered for another: have had!
Rosa's mother!
Some starless night,
After Rosa's birth, she left this earth, Helena & Rosa:
Now dust is all I'm worth. They'll call towards the wings:
Bad must lead to worse, "Who here dances and sings?"
Rosa: That's when yours truly springs
So long a time,
All: And seeing me then, they will cry,
They've thought that I'm No good can come from bad! "Why,
A Dresden doll, No good — He knows each line,
Quite naive, No good can come from bad! And everyone's cue
But I perceive We must let him do the part!"
These boys, this noise I'll leap center stage,
More fright'ning than they might conceive. The music will play,
I'll waltz my way into your heart!
Tho' ever I plan, and ever I plot, Durdles, Deputy & Chairman: All:
With ever the pluck to try, I But where the chase is and what the Don't fall back on your assumptions,
Wait for my star by fate to be struck— pace is, Hasty presumptions might do you in.
But never the luck have I... We seldom seem to know. Mind the track. Like a nag running
blind, try lagging behind:
Company: You'll find you'll win.
Durdles:
Ever the hope and ever the scheme
Men with broken hearts have vowed
To never more pursue Durdles:
Company Bax/Bazzard
A member of the soft and savored Bless our Queen Victoria, she's had
And ever the dream...! But ever the nine kids to date.
dream have I! race.
You wonder how Prince Albert got
enthused.
13: Chairman:
Probably by her decree he had to
OFF TO THE RACES Savored race! procreate!
(Company) Said she,
Durdles:
Chairman: Firmly anchored to the ground, Puffer:
Quick conclusions often lead the best of They suddenly will view "Make me amused!―
us astray.
The wisest move in life is just to wait.
Chairman, Durdles & Deputy: All:
A fair and favored face, then: Off to the races, the royal races,
Cricker & Chairman:
Otherwise, our galloping emotions run The same as poor folk do.
away All:
Off to the races, off to the races, Deputy:
Cricker, Chairman & Deputy: When flirting faces call! When she embraces, her royal grace is
Like horses at the gate! The same in wants as you.
Deputy, Jasper, Chairman &
All: Bazzard:
Off to the races, off to the races, His saving grace is strong drink
Off to the race we go, replaces
The need for love and all.
All: 14: Grinstead/Neville:
And the race is won by the tardy, AN ENGLISH MUSIC HALL Where else...
Not the fool-hardy fools that we be.
Don't unlace your madcap abandon, (Chairman, Conover, Moncrieffe,
Cricker, Grinstead) Conover & Moncrieffe &
Do and you'll land undone.
Not me!
Ensemble:
So we call upon you all to hold your Where else?
Chairman:
horse's reins
I dress for evening theater
Before you solve this dickens of a crime. Grinstead/Neville:
The swellest gent in town
Sometimes having patience is as good as ...can you have murder and romance
having brains, I sit for all to see me in my stall
But when I put my feet up And give your thigh a slap?
So take your bloody time...
And let my braces down
Pour out the spirits! You'll find me in an English music hall! Cricker/Durdles:
The end is near, it's Where else...
Only a length or so!
Conover/Helena:
Don't begin to beat your tar off
I love the grandest opera Conover & Moncrieffe &
For the finish isn't far off.
From Mozart to Bizet... Ensemble:
To the races!
Off to the race we go... Where else?
Tally ho! Moncrieffe/Crisparkle:
Tho' French composers sometimes Cricker/Durdles:
have their Gaul ...can one trade insults with the band
While a pint's within your hand
Conover/Helena:
And damned if I can figure Cricker, Moncrieffe & Grinstead:
A single word they say. And a lady's in your lap?

Conover & Moncrieffe: Chairman:

But I'm fluent in that good old music I'm fond of chamber music, I take some
hall every week.
I sit there fighting sleep until I fall
Chairman & Cricker: Moncrieffe/Crisparkle: Puffer & Datchery:
But when I'm feeling wicked, I step from And never act my age I've come to town, my ear at every door,
chambers bleak
Half the clown, yet crafty at the core.
And stroll me down the garish music hall.
Cricker/Durdles: Settling down to settle up the score.
Where I can chat with friends A kettle full of fish I'll fry,
All:
Where else can you find song and food If I don't like what's on the stage.
and drink I'll cook each goose
And wink a rakish eye? All: To mix a metaphor
I give you, one and all: And unloose a mighty meteor
Moncrieffe, Conover & Grinstead: I'm settling down to settle up the
An English music hall score
Where else can you have portions of
I‘ll say no thanks to Heaven
"King Lear―
That‘s much too good for me,
Datchery:
Just fly me to an English music hall.
All: My mettle will be more than tested
With a tankard full of beer and a plate of
shepherd's pie? 15: Datchery & Puffer:
SETTLING UP THE SCORE A debt'll be repaid before I've rested –
Chairman:
I burn my candle brightly (Puffer, Datchery and
Oh, dear, the things I see! Ensemble) Datchery/Puffer Ensemble
And should someday the angels come to Oh! Ah-
call,
Puffer: Datchery
I'll say "no thanks" to Heaven,
Here to track this man in black am I, Drood, Puffer
That's much too good for me.
With one clue as to the who and No word, Datchery
why!
All: What's brewed, Puffer
Just fly me to an English music hall...
Datchery: No grave, Datchery
Conover/Helena: I find myself No tomb,
Where I am never lonely In this aggravating garb and face,
Gravitating to this place,
Navigating t'ward this case!
Datchery & Puffer: Puffer & Datchery: Rosa Jasper
Who'll say who's done what and why to I only wish you would You call it love, I call it love
whom?
I'm settling up the score for good! I call it rude, You call it
Datchery:
16: rude I
I'm on the scent, I'm inventing everything I
am THE NAME OF call it lust! You think
LOVE/MOONFALL DUET
Puffer: me just
(Rosa & Jasper)
Where's the sacrificial lamb? I call it lewd. A bit too crude.
Rosa:
I call it cruel. And I the
Love is but a word that wandered
Datchery: here from pastures green
'Ere in bloody Cloisterham fool, I
Where it was barely said or seen,
and seldom sung. cannot bear Yet still I
Puffer & Datchery: Innocent enough, it was intended to
I've come to town to ask at every door: be used dare
Did Edwin (he) drown or was he washed on rare occasions, To call it love! To call it
ashore?
Not abused by every tongue.
I'm bearing down to settle up the score: love!
Never has a word been ever taken
Red herring on a briny beach! so in vain,
What little meaning might remain is I think it foul. I see you
Datchery & Puffer & quickly blurred.
Ensemble 2 Ensemble 1 Never has there been so quite scowl,
I‘ll/they‘ll solve I‘ll/they‘ll solve exhausted such a term,
this yet! this yet!
I think it vile. You see me
Your sighs and syllables confirm smile.
I‘m/he‘s grand inquisitor As grand
inquisitor Make a bet how drained this word. No more I‘ll take ‗Tis you I‘ll
Make a bet You‘ve met me
once before. you met,
Make a threat? Make a threat? break! Of
cunning guile! I‘ve no

denial
You‘re worse than bad: My
Rosa: Rosa Jasper Ensemble
Rosa Bud the dainty little face whose every And in the And in the
curl
Moonfall, Moonfall, Fall of the
Confirms that she's a child, a girl, a
neophyte: Can you not Can you not night
Rosa is the only soul in Cloisterham, it see this victim free this victim Ah-
seems, And lo, his slave, You so enslave?
Who senses just the sort of dreams you Save me, Save me, All of the
dream at night.
And yet he And let these light!
Did you think your stare would stop my
seeing? seems dreams Gleaming
Every fibre of my being told me since I was So in pain remain, like the rain
betrothed John, you make Awake, As daylights break
That your most unnatural attention conjures Me like stone, my own, See!
words
Transfixed with Transfixed with Transfixed with
I dare not mention
wonder, one... one. -
You must know how much I loathed
Mixed with the thunder
Rosa Jasper of his love Of this love Love -
To know your wants, You know my wants. You call it love My all, my love,
To see you clutch, I need not clutch. The name of love Your name is love
To hear your voice, You have no
choice. Is chilling to me and thrilling to me
To feel your touch! Is it so much
A dreadful task For me to ask?
To even speak I only seek
The name of love! The name of Rosa & Jasper:
love!
Beneath these skies one night unknown would he/she dare?
I will not fear I love to hear
My tragic plight, The angry bite Between our eyes one sight alone we share
I have a choice: Of your fair voice!
I‘ll take to flight One blazing
night, Rosa & Jasper:
I‘ll permit You will submit The sight of Moonfall as it comes into view...
You to desecrate And give your
fate
The name of love! The name of love
 Rosa & Helena:
Rosa Jasper Ensemble I know there must be love that's yet to be,
So that So I promise that you Ah-- Only just three winks away from me,
shall be hopefully...
Soon I Soon a golden idol whom I
Only Own and love and lead Ah-- Puffer, Datchery, Bazzard, Durdles,
see but into a sea of light! Rosa, Helena & Deputy:
You 'Tis but the falling moon You
Don't quit while you're ahead,
See but you falling Moon See but you
Don't worry how you tread. Who cares?

17:
Neville & Crisparkle:
DON'T QUIT WHILE YOU'RE Datchery: And there's a chance, one pipe-dream
AHEAD Don't try to think what move might be that is mine,
(Puffer and Company) the best, A romance, quite ripe upon the vine.
Puffer: Use the heart that beats within your
breast, Rosa & Helena:
Once I bet my last ten pence— and
won. Never rest...don't quit while you're
Don't resign!
ahead.
Twice as rich then, friends said, "call it
done!" Sing out:
Neville, Crisparkle, Rosa, Helena:
"How sad," I said.
No victor ever fled!
"So that's your wildest dream, eh, Datchery & Puffer:
then... "There's more in store for me―
Twenty pence instead of ten?‖ All Principals:
Double up my bet again! Don't quit while you're ahead to stay!
Bazzard, Durdles & Deputy:
In life, you start the same as when Ta-ray-ta-rah!
I see my dream ship fin'ly comin' in
you‘re done: Boom!
Like a steamship anch'rin in to win
If you lose, you're just where you've Bang it, bash it, hoo-ray-ha-rah!
begun-- Boom!
If you've won, don't quit while you're Puffer & Datchery: Clang it, clash it, oo-lah-dee-dah!
ahead, Lift your chin! Remember what I said,
Don't quit while you're ahead,
Just press your blessed luck instead! Don't quit while you're ahead, let go!
Don't say, "I'm off to bed, farewell"
Paget/Jasper: 18: 19:
Full well I know! Don‘t let the moment go DON‘T QUIT WHILE YOU‘RE DON'T QUIT WHILE YOU'RE
to waste
Not with vict‘ry close enough to taste
AHEAD ―ENCORE‖ AHEAD VOTING REPRISE
(Company) (Suspects)
Chairman & Jasper: Chairman: Suspects:
Heed the call with all due haste! Encore, Maestro s'il vous plait! You've watched us frown, leer, peer at
every soul
All: All: In the town, we're fit to fill the role...
For God's own sake! And now at last, we see the slightest Settle down!
So raise the stake! You struck a lucky glimm'ring of light Your verdict will be clear,
vein, Your murd'rer picked is here in sight!
Quite shimm'ring in the dim, dull of night.
Never break through any lucky chain; Tonight you choose
So long have we been blind,
The refrain "don't quit while you're ahead"
But fin'lly we unwind From candidates galore,
As eas‘ly done as said, you'll see:
the plot. Win or lose,
The truth is this: we... You're grand inquisitor.
Ta-ray-ta-ree! Boom!
Bang it, bash it, oo, glory be! Here's the news:
Boom! Your judgment has been passed,
Clang it, clash it, oo-lah-dee-dee! You've settled up the score
Don't quit while you're ahead, At
Sing out, "there's more in store for me" Last!
There's much more for me,
There's much more for me.
 20: Life's a maze of hedges that prickle you, My motive in taking this part
THE GARDEN PATH TO HELL As they tickle you, they'll tear you all Was to hone even further my art.
(Puffer) about. A theatrical bent and a costume that's
Strolling through the maze is amusing, lent
Puffer:
too, Let me strive for what's dear to my
I was once your Nan, then I met a man--
But confusing when you find there's no heart:
Tall and all with golden hair, he's where
my end began. way out. The chance for some public acclaim,
Lost my looks by then, couldn't draw the Just a shred of a second of fame!
Let him have his way with me, he knew men. As a playwright a plot to unravel should
his way so well. So I learned a trade and earned my keep not
Led me down the garden path to hell. with drugs, and then, Pose a problem much harder to tame.
Marriage in me 'ead, what I got instead Found myself a wicked shelf where This was my greatest audition—
Was a bed in Camden town...and then to opium I sell.
Two decent roles at one time!
me, 'e said: ―Here's a pipe for you, sir. Price is five
"should I send around a friend, be nice to and two, sir. Finally some recognition,
him, this swell... Can't you see the garden? It's such a Staging the scene of the crime,
Stroll him down your garden path to hell." lovely garden. Going out on a limerick, out on a
I'll take you there, I know the path so well limerick,
Make your bed of roses, and sleep in it, To hell... To hell.‖ Out on a limerick air!
Cuddle deep in it and pray you never I found a theatrical kit,
wake. And as Datchery I did my bit
Soon the deadly poppies come cropping 21:
up, So to clear Neville's name, (I confess to
OUT ON A LIMERICK—BAZZARD my shame,
Fairly popping from the seeds of one
mistake. (Bazzard) 'Twas for vanity, too, I admit).
I followed John Jasper high-low,
On my back all day, earning Satan's pay, Bazzard: Found the dens he descends to below,
Took to drink so's not to think of who'd And when Puffer came here 'twas
come next to play. (in Datchery‘s voice)
immediately clear
Gave my gent my every cent, and he gave Yes, it is I— I gladly reveal! My suspicions were quite apropos.
me farewell. (as self)
Leaving me to weed the path to hell. My joy in telling all I cannot conceal.
Author am I at least of this page.
Joyfully now I take center-stage.
So I crept in the lodgings of Jasper, My motive in taking this role Jasper took it from Ned after hurling him
Dressed in that wig, what a sight! Of a wigged and white-whiskered soul dead
There I found Rosa Bud's clasp, her Was to ably disguise my most feminine T'ward the Weir riverbed, I suppose.
Mother's she gave Drood that night. size "Helena Datchery" knows!
Jasper took it from Ned after hurling him When I'd take an enquiring stroll. And the proof is quite clear, let us bring
dead Jasper here
For strangers who'll chat with a chap,
T'ward the Weir riverbed, I suppose.
And reveal this and that in a snap, To be tried and then tied up and strung!
Are remarkably leery of women who And from this limerick, let him be hung!
Tell him that Datchery knows!
And the proof is quite clear, let us bring query too much.
Jasper here It's a great handicap. 23:
To be tried and then tied up and strung! So this disguise saw me through it, JASPER'S CONFESSION
And from this limerick, let him be hung! Playing the part of a man!
(Jasper)
Really there's nothing much to it—
Most any animal can!
Jasper:
Climbing out on a limerick, out on a I will not lie! I wished Ned to die!
limerick, Twice dead am I.
22:
Out on a limerick air! A man could split in twain, yet to all
OUT ON A LIMERICK—HELENA
I found a theatrical kit, and as Datchery I eyes remain
(Helena) A soul genteel who can conceal the
did my bit
Helena: venom in his brain.
So to clear Neville's name, (I confess to
(in Datchery‘s voice) my shame, 'twas for vengeance as And if he draws upon the pause
Thank God for that! The sheep has been well, I admit). In madness opium smoke supplies—
sheared! I followed John Jasper high-low, Why this great surprise?
(as self)
Found the dens he descends to below, There are two men in me, and cunning
I don't know how men live through heat bright is he
with a beard. And when Puffer came here 'twas
Gladly I shed this tent of a coat. immediately clear Who hides himself, resides himself
My suspicions were quite apropos. Where I've no eyes to see.
My explanation I now emote:
So I crept in the lodgings of Jasper, But now I think I'm he's at the brink
Dressed in that wig, what a sight! Of breaking through the door--
There I found Rosa Bud's clasp, her I'm in, he's out! I'm out, he's free!
Mother's she gave Drood that night. I'm free, I'm me once more!
How many times I've killed that Drood 24:
upon my flights! But the night was far from bright,
My flights that burst the smug ROSA'S CONFESSION Thick with wet and thunder.
presumption of his rights— (Rosa) Thatching fell, dispatched from hell!
His rights as heir, his rights to share my Is it yet a wonder?
Rosa's bed-
Rosa:
Were you so blind? You could not see? I Could not see the arms of me
It took no smoke for me to picture Edwin
dead! killed him, yes! Stretched out with scarf in hand.
And it was wonderful to do, I do Saw your coat and tied Ned‘s throat
That night I filled myself a flask of confess! Just like a deadly wedding band!
laudanum, To have him done, to do him in, to see it
And then to toast my Ned and Neville, I through... So long a time
drank some. You surely know by now I meant to They‘ve thought that I‘m
That‘s when my greatest flight of fancy did murder you!
take place: A Dresden doll, quite naïve,
I watched my hands outstretched towards But I believe this pain, my brain,
Edwin‘s pale white face, Thought you I was so blind as not to
More tortured than they might conceive.
know your mind,
And in the Moonfall, I saw my fingers With these late additions, I have now
Clutching his neck so tightly, Of what intent each compliment you
revealed
claimed you meant as kind?
Touching my sleeve, he fell so lightly! Murderous admissions hitherto
Moonfall, then fell on me To feel myself unrobed and probed
concealed.
But, God, the deed was much too eas‘ly With every movement of your eyes- ah,
Damn you all, I say! You let him drive
done, but realize!
me mad!
As much as over once it had begun! A child can go quite mad and not know
Madness led to this; no good can come
Such tragedy to finally make the kill good from bad
from bad,
And not to awake to taste the thrill. And calmly plan to kill a man and feel
No good - no good can come from bad!
Now I've confessed! but only glad!
Now we both can rest! To rid herself - to bid herself a
murderous good-bye!
Not Edwin who I sought, but you, I
meant for you to die!
 25: 26: 27:
DURDLES‘ CONFESSION HELENA‘S CONFESSION PUFFER‘S CONFESSION
(Durdles) (Helena) (Puffer)
Helena: Puffer:
What reason could I have to ever want The words so rude of Drood had caused May God have mercy, your forgiveness
Drood dead? me great alarm: do I need.
Why would I want to harm a hair upon That devil might cause Neville to cause My string of sins ends here with this
his head?
him some harm! most dreadful deed.
But I'm the candidate you rowdy lot
have chose-- Sister and mother to my brother I have I only meant to save my Rosa Bud, it's
been-- true...
And so my motives now I fear I must
disclose. And so to smother Drood, I had to do You bastard Jasper! Damn, I meant to
After Jasper laid his nephew in the Drood in! murder you!
crypt, he fled! Could I see my Rosebud threatened by
With quarts of port, to Drood I drank a I meant no violence, that Christmas this man of massive sin?
toast. morn: He'd revealed his vile desires, so I had
When I heard him moaning, groaning, in I meant to silence this Edwin's scorn. to do him in.
my drunken head
The sky it wept, no view of light To my endless ruination, I took smoke
I thought Drood was a ghost! Then, to see me through;
He started screamin' As I crept into the night!
Unsteady Drood, half-dazed with wine... In my sweet hallucination I saw Drood...
Just like a demon--
This "Eddy" Drood had raised my spine! ...and thought him you!
It was a dreadful cry!
Drunken stiff, my mind did hear it I took my veil off, and lost my mind!
As a different kind of spirit, My veil did sail off, I tossed it blind. So I say to all who'll hear me,
So I smashed him, bashed him... It wound and bound his caped coat You must plan the murder well.
The murderer am I...! And draped around his throat. You must view your victim clearly
Much thanks, good-bye! I meant to gag him, but I did snag him, As you send him off to Hell.
So I did drag him off to hell! When I killed, 'twas well-intended!
I'd kill another, to save my brother-- Drink and smoke what did me in.
I did it well! For my chores, I'm apprehended!
And guilty am I and blameless is he-- Them's the wages of sin!
Guilty am I, I cry...shamelessly! Everyone now
Puffer & Company: 28: 29:
Them's the wages of sin— NEVILLE‘S CONFESSION BAZZARD‘S CONFESSION
(Neville) (Bazzard)
Puffer: Neville: Bazzard:
Oh bloody 'ell. Don't you know they
I was the likeliest of suspects you could I saw the chance to be a legend in my
hang women these days? This is
find-- So qualified, you ruled me out of time,
undoubtedly my last chorus...c'mon now
sight and mind. Of course I killed our For all in town thought Neville might do
everybody!
"Master Ned"! Could I forego violent crime.
The chance to gain my pride and Rosa To solve a mystery would pluck me from
Puffer & Company: off my shelf,
Them's the wages of sin! with one blow?
So I insured the crime by killing Drood
God Bless you, bless you, ta-rah! I came to this place with but one plan: myself!
That you view this face an Englishman! Detectives in command must have a
But all you saw was my hot blood and case in hand.
I...saw Rosa Bud! To gain acclaim, their share of fame,
Edwin, twas said, was her grand The public does demand a controversial
romance. crime perverse.
With Edwin dead, I'd stand a chance! Shall I go on to tell you more?
That cold December, my blood was Since I have the floor:
warm. Young Neville had been crude, and
We strolled together against the storm. Edwin doubly rude,
The best of chums, we laughed and So I set out to bring about the death of
talked, Edwin Drood!
As home to rest, Drood walked. And it turned out to be this region's
My mood was black then! hotly-argued rage,
Thunder did crack then! And I know all, I now show all, at last
He turned his back, then I did lunge! I'm center stage!
His neck I knotted, his throat garroted, he And I tied the knot around his nice neck
took the plunge and English he And his head was struck nearby!
stood and English he fell! I thought as he fell down into the muck--
I sent him to his good English Hell! That fin-lly the luck have I!
That fin-lly the luck have I!
 30:
31: All Six
CRISPARKLE‘S CONFESSION
PERFECT STRANGERS – Takes no skill,
(Crisparkle)
LOVERS‘ REPRISE This strangeness
(Puffer, Deputy, Helena, Neville, makes me thrill!
Crisparkle:
Rosa, Durdles and Company)
Could Rosa's mother love another?
Know you well:
All
If man should land a hand on her, he'd Once we/they were perfect strangers...
Puffer:
go to Hell! Yet now I/she love[s] you/him perfectly...
Once we were perfect strangers.
I'm free from blasphemy but as some Ahhh!
see me crude: How strangely met are we!
Though I'm not cath'lic...I confess: I
murdered Drood! 32:
Deputy:
I find I now adore you THE WRITING ON THE WALL
I saw another in Rosa's face: (Drood)
Our best has yet to be.
Fair Rosa's mother stood in her place!
And could I let this Edwin Drood
Have her I'd loved and wooed? Helena: Drood:
This love of mine must never wed! It seems I've longed to hold you I‘m alive!
One shove of mine and Drood was Fate ruled it so! I am Laz'rus, risen from the grave!
dead! Quite alive you find me -
Baptised with bashes, his neck I
trussed! Neville: This tomb behind me
Capsized with lashes, thus dust to dust. You love me... Is where I faced my closest shave!
And then I bore him from the gloom and So they've told you. When I struck my head against the
sanctified his tomb. street,
He ceased to shiver! He ceased to I was stunned, not stricken –
quiver! Rosa:
(Our plot doth thicken) -
I did deliver him to God! Let's not resist this ending.
As Jasper flew me off my feet
And she is mine now, a this love divine
now --some find me odd, Durdles:
But living am I and vanished is Drood!
Once we have kissed pretending
Satan must die and vanquished is
Drood!
To the crypt, Life is dear. Drood Ensemble
I awoke in dark beyond belief, There can be no vict'ry in defeat. Can‘t you heed the The warning
And while all above me showed their If out-numbered, beat a fast retreat
grief,
lightning as I plead,
To the nearest shelter and dig in...
I was screaming for my very breath, The light of morning
When you live, then you win!
Only moments from death. Inciting you to read To read
Scratch and claw for every day you're
worth! The writing on the The writing on
You have no idea the sudden strength Make them drag you screaming the wall
That you feel within you,
From life, keep dreaming wall The writing on the
The steel and sinew,
As death stands smiling at arms-length.
You'll live forever here on earth. wall
On the wall! On the wall!
I escaped! From Cloisterham I fled. I have seen the writing on the wall,
I did not return here. And it's clearly spelled out
'Til I could learn here For those who've held out
Just who in hell would wish me dead. That holding on to life is all.

But more than that, Is it clear?

More than what solution fits this crime, If you hear my voice, then you're alive.
What I've learned is that life is bits of What a bloody marvel we survive,
time,
When you think of every risk we face
And you fight for every tiny speck
When you're held by the neck! In our mad human race!

I have read the writing on the wall, I have read the writing on the wall!
And the greatest myst'ry Try to live forever
Is not the hist'ry And give up never
Of Jasper, Drood and one and all! The fight - you'll need the wherewithal!

I have met my maker and returned!

What advice I'm giving
To all those living
Is just to learn what I have learned...