Basin Street Blues
A Musical by John Beaton
Synopsis: TONY is a brilliant piano player who plays Ragtime and Blues piano in the most expensive brothel in New Orleans in 1917. The one girl TONY loves, who works in the ‘Sporting House’ owned by the outrageous, diamond wearing Madam, LOTTIE is PEARL. But she is dominated by a young thug and pimp, FRANK LEWIS and she won’t leave The House of the Rising Sun despite TONY wanting her to go with him to Chicago.This love story plays out with jazz and blues songs from the era and little known dances like the Cakewalk, in the last week before the whole famous sporting district of Storyville was closed by the US Federal head of the Navy. That was the end of Storyville - and the beginning of Jazz.But what happened to TONY? And Frank and most importantly - to PEARL?
Photo from Marloo Theatre productionDirector Aarne & Playright John Beaton with Lottie & Josie
Cast .TONY JACKSON Piano playerPEARL JEROME Singer and prostituteLOTTIE FISCHER Brothel madamJOSIE ARLINGTON Young brothel madamRITA MaidLULU Young prostituteROBERT Young manGUS PALMER Railroad workerAUGUSTE DUMONDE Fake, wealthy bon vivantHENRI DUMONDE His young sonFRANK LEWIS Tough pimp GIRLS Working girls in the "Sporting House"JOHNS Customers of the brothel.
Staging Requirements: One set. The drawing room and bar of the expensive and exclusive brothel - The House of the Rising Sun - and one bedroom above.
Production Length:Approximate performance time is 80 minutes
History:Performed at Marloo Theatre in 2015, directed by Aarne Neeme. 14 performances.
Performance Rights:These may be obtained from the playright John BeatonE: pharlap@iinet.net.au PH: 0431 677 759
