|
|
"A Rock and a Hard Place"
(This is a provisional title)
A musical.
Music to be written by members of Revelation.
Script by Mike Thomas (Secretary) and Dennis Wildman (Chairman).
A summary of the show
|
|
Duration
|
Unkown
|
|
Cast
|
Choir & musicians, plus Narrator, Peter, and a soldier from the Temple
guard. Members of the choir will also act in the crowd scenes.
|
|
Background
|
(From a first draft sent in by Mike Thomas)
This drama musical is about Peter, the disciple, his ups and downs, his
trials and tribulations, and how he became a rock on which the Church was
built in the first century.
From biblical accounts there is no physical description of him but by
inference he was larger than life, both literally and metaphorically.
Impulsive, loud, charismatic and yet vulnerable in many ways, he was
just like many of us who are followers of Christ. There is something about him that the everyday man, woman or child can
relate to.
He experienced a roller-coaster relationship with his saviour.
It started off by meeting Jesus by the shores of Galilee and an invitation
to join the Disciples. The elation as the biblical script was unfolded
before his eyes ... his meeting in the mist with Jesus and Elijah, the
triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, the arrest in Gethsemane, the denial
before the trial, the death of his saviour, the resurrection three days
later, the ascension and the culmination of the roller-coaster was that
day at Pentecost.
Peter is the disciple most mentioned in all the gospel accounts,
probably Jesus' favourite. He belonged to the inner circle of himself,
James and John. Whenever there was a small meeting, whenever Jesus
wanted to get away from the main disciple body he took James, John and
Peter with him. By all accounts he was a natural leader and it was
immediately assumed I think by him and the disciples, to take on the
mantle of the leadership when his Lord and Master ascended into Heaven.
This musical/drama is told from the perspective of Peter and his
relationship with his Lord and Master. It starts on the day of Pentecost
in the marketplace.
|
|
Synopsis
|
(From a first draft sent in by Mike Thomas)
Scene 1
The musical starts at Pentecost when Peter stands up amongst a rowdy,
rabble-like collection of Jews from all parts of the Mediterranean
region. He stands and launches his famous speech (Acts Chapter 2)
Song - Listen men and women of Israel
That speech encouraged 5,000 people that day; they flocked to join.
Two followers approach him to congratulate him on his speech and the result.
They feel humble compared to Peter. Peter confides that it had not
always been that way. In flash back, Peter recounts his story.
Scene 2
Peter tells them of the first encounter by the shores of Galilee three years before.
In a short monologue Peter explains how and why he joined the band.
Song - Fishing for Men.
Scene 3
Peter tells of Jesus' unfolding of God's plan. Not all at once but in incremental pieces.
As time goes on, Peter ...... that Jesus is the Lord, Son of God, and the Messiah. (the familiar conversation with Jesus)
Song - Jesus the Lord and Messiah
Scene 4
Peter tells the followers of the exciting meeting when James, himself
and Jesus ascend the mountain and they are surrounded by mist. They see
figures glowing brightly, which Peter assumes is Elijah, and witnesses
the conversation between Jesus meeting with the real God. This must be
the pinnacle of his experience, prior to what was to follow.
Song - The mist of time, a strange encounter.
Scene 5
Peter mentions the journey to Jerusalem, his warning, and his rebuke by
Jesus and the triumphal entry on a donkey into Jerusalem, how the crowds
applauded.
Song - Jesus Rode a Donkey into Town.
-- based on Jerusalem Joy, by Roger Jones.
Scene 6
Peter continues talking about the Passover supper and the strange
things, which Jesus said, he only understood after the event. The
washing of the feet, the reference to the last drink and meal he would
have before he joined his Father in Heaven.
Scene 7
The roller-coaster relationship Peter had then changed once again with
the arrest in Gethsemane and his immediate action of cutting off the ear
of the servant. He is rebuked by Jesus and warned about his betrayal: that
within the time it takes a cock to crow, he will be denied thrice.
The story moves directly to a courtyard and is told through
the eyes of a soldier who is part of the Temple guard. He relates how
Peter had denied any knowledge of Jesus three times, challenged by both a servant
and a soldier, even though it was quite evident that he was Peter the
Disciple, the tall, strong one ... and by his accent.
The scene then moves on to Peter staring over the horizon at the
execution scene. He is total despair, his world has come crashing down,
and his relationship with the Messiah has all ended in this. Against his
dialogue we hear the song from Mary Magdalene ...
Song - There is a green hill far away.
Scene 8
Peter still in remorse, is stunned by what happens next. He is unable to
comprehend when Mary Magdalene comes to him and tells him that the tomb
is empty, the body has moved. Unable to believe this he runs to the
tomb, the total despair that he had suffered 3 days before is replaced
by hope.
Song - All my hope in God is founded
We move on as Peter describes the sightings, the conversations he had
with the Lord, the meeting on the shore of Galilee and the ascension
into Heaven. Whilst Peter wanted the Lord to stay, he knew in his heart
of hearts that His absence will allow the message to be told to all nations
of the earth. Then he describes, with awesome power, the meeting in
the upstairs room on the day of Pentecost.
Scene 9
The flash-back ends. We move back to the first scene and a crowd still signing up
wanting to join and ending with a reprise ...
Song - All my hope in God is founded (Reprise)
|
|
Possible_song
|
Song - Listen men and women of Israel
Chorus
Listen. listen to what we have to say
I stand here, a witness on this day.
Listen men and women of Israel,
We are not drunk as you can tell
The spirit we speak of is not of wine
It comes from afar and is divine
Chorus
Listen. listen to what we have to say
I stand here, a witness on this day.
In the last days the spirit will descend
The effect on you it will depend
Your daughters and sons will testify
And old men will dream and notify
Chorus
Listen. listen to what we have to say
I stand here, a witness on this day.
The Romans nailed him to that tree
But not one of you are bloody free
But God raised him to life for all to see
For the Son of God, Death can not be
Chorus
Listen. listen to what we have to say
I stand here, a witness on this day.
etc ...
|
|
Back
|
Click here to get back to the top of the page
|
|
Back
to the Revelation repertoire page.
|
