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Overview
Synopsis
Tensions are running high in H.M. Prison Larkhall. Old school prison officer, Jim Fenner, reigns over his corrupt domain, assisted by his willing supporter and fellow officer, Sylvia “Bodybag” Hollamby. He asserts his control over the female prisoners, encouraging sexual favors in return for preferential treatment. In the prison, we meet the ultimate top-dog inmate Yvonne Atkins, old-timer Noreen Biggs, the comical Two Julie’s, and ruthless Shell Dockley, who manipulates fellow inmate Denny Blood to do her dirty work. However, Jim Fenner’s rule is interrupted by the appointment of the new Wing Governor, the idealistic Helen Stewart. She contests Jim’s way of running things and the pair quickly butt heads. Helen’s situation is further complicated when she finds herself in a complicated relationship with charismatic prisoner, Nikki Wade.
However, chaos comes to the prison wing when Jim Fenner is implicated in the suicide of new prisoner, Rachel Hicks. As the inmates protest and make their voices heard, Helen Stewart’s job and reputation are on the line. Rising up, inmates and staff decide that it is time for Jim Fenner to face up to his misdemeanors and be exposed as a corrupt officer once and for all.
Show Information
- Book
- Maureen Chadwick , Ann McManus
- Music
- Kath Gotts
- Lyrics
- Kath Gotts
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Bad Girls (TV series)
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2006
- Genres
- Drama, Dark Comedy
- Settings
- Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- H.M. Prison Larkhall, England, Present Day
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Small
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Josef Weinberger Ltd
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, Mostly Female Cast, Regional Theatre, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Young Adult Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
I Shouldn’t Be Here - Ensemble
Guardian Angel - Shell, Denny
Jailcraft - Jim, Sylvia
Life of Grime - Julie S., Julie J., Ensemble
*The A-List - Yvonne, Ensemble
The Key - Jim
The Way It Is - Ensemble
Act Two
Freedom Road - Crystal, Ensemble
*The Future is Bright - Jim, Sylvia, Ensemble
Sorry - Julie S.
Every Night - Helen, Nikki
All Banged Up - Yvonne, Julie S., Julie J.
The Baddest and the Best - Nikki, Denny, Justin, Ensemble
First Lady - Jim, Shell
The Baddest and the Best [Reprise] - Shell, Ensemble
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher