Legless Productions
Plays and Events for the World Wide Stage
LEGLESS
PRODUCTIONS
Plays and Events for A World Wide Stage
Past Productions
Hello I`m Johnny Cash
The Billie Holiday Story
Written by Brian Langtry and Len
Holden
Written in 2005 by friends and colleagues this
work details the story of the tragic yet vibrant jazz
icon from her first step into the world of music at
the age of 13 through to her sad and ultimely
passing in 1959.
The show was toured by `Theatre-Productions` in
2005 starring London based actress `Yah` in the
title role and again in 2006 where Billie was
played by Rain Prior the accomplished American
jazz singer/actress and daughter of comedian
Richard Prior. Louis Emerick once of Brookside
played Lester `Prez` Young. Using film as
narration, a live 5 piece band and a cast of 9 this
sometime harrowing, often uplifting and engaging
story pulls no punches in its exploration of the ups
and downs of this fascinating story.
The piece is now available again and seeking
new producers.
Hello I`m Johnny Cash
Written by Brian Langtry
This biop of the Man in Black was toured by
`Legless Productions` in 2006/7 relating the story
and songs from the days of Sun records through the
lean years of the mid `70`s and `80`s to his
rebirththrough collaborations with Hip Hop producer
Rick Rubin. Cash was a unique, opinionated,
tormented, deeply religious and a supremely
talented singer songwriter. A strong supporter of
minority rights particularly those concerning native
Americans, the working man and those within the
prison population to whom he was ever generous in
both financial and practical support terms. Never
afraid to tackle issues, political and conglomerate,
that others would shrink from he seemed inevitably
to be in conflict with one official body or another
throughout his lifetime.
His undoubted savior was the woman he met early
on in his career proclaimimg at that juncture, that he
would one day marry her- this although she was
already married! Of course this lady was the lovely
and immensely talented June Carter, singer,
entertainer and member of country music royalty
“The Carter family”. There is no doubt that June
saved Cash from his powerful self destructive
influences on many, many occasions and, left
without her guidance, love and devotion after her
death, Cash soon succumbed to the other side.
“Hello I`m Johnny Cash” is either performed as a
small cast show for three actors or as a more
expansive piece for 8 actors and band and is
currently available for production interest.
The Five Year Itch
Written by Steve Black
“ A Girl called Dusty “
Written by Brian Langtry
Building upon Brian langtry and Steve Andrew`s
small scale award winning play “The Middle of
Nowhere” this piece covers the story of the `white
queen of soul` from her early successes with brother
Dion in The Springfields through to her later revival
via 1990`s electro pop.
In between the highs of becoming the biggest selling
female solo artist of the time, the critical acclaim of
the album `Dusty in Memphis` and the re-emergent
collaboration with The Pet Shop Boys, Dusty
plummeted troughs of deep despair, desperate bouts
of promiscuity, drink and drug dependency, financial
chaos, unresolved psychological traumas,
insecurities of sexual identity and a seemingly
unending inability to find the kind of loving
relationship which she so desperately desired.
She was strong yet vulnerable, loving yet
demanding, confident yet insecure. She was the
indisputable incarnation of sixties pop.
A music biog which enshrines, in addition to 18
iconic Dusty songs, a variety of music and settings
from the era in which the world changed forever- The
Swinging Blue Jeans, Ready Steady Go, martha
Reeves and the Vandellas, Buddy Rich, The pet
Shop Boys. Changing times make for lavish
costuming, dance and set design.
Running Time: 1 Hour 50 Minutes
Cast: 9 actor musicians
Film sequences
Clara
Written by Steve Andrews and
Brian Langtry
IIt is several years before Marilyn`s untimely
death. Her stardom has reached almost chaotic
heights and her own insecurities have forced her
to flee to a quiet hotel where, under a
pseudonym, she checks in to escape the
demands put on her by the public, the industry,
friends and lovers.
In the hotel room she meets a stranger and
begins to talk about her childhood and her life.
This play reveals a side of Marilyn not usually
seen.
Act 2 fast forwrds in time to when the two meet
again in the same cheap motel room.Much has
happened in the intervening years and lives and
emotions are on the verge of unravelling with
ominously dark clouds lurking on the horizon.
This compelling two handed play by Steve Black
provides an engrossing glimpse into the lives and
relationships of a great American icon. It was
originally premiered at the Kings Head Theatre,
Islington. It was directed by the renowned actor
Jonathan Hyde and produced by
LeglessProductions.
The Middle of Nowhere
by Steve Andrews and Brian Langtry
The story of Dusty Springfield, exhilerating, sad,
moving, at times funny and exhausting. Dusty left
behind her a rich musical heritage which has
effortlessly survived the passage of time, fad and
fashion.
“The Middle of Nowhere” although featuring all of her
famous songs, is much more than simply an evening
of unforgetteable
music charting her life
from the first days
of the Lana Sisters
through the
turbulent
seventies and
revival in the
eighties to her
struggles with
failing health in her
latter years. An
uplifting and life
affirming story tinged
with saddness,
humour and the often
superficial vitality of a
troubled lost soul.
The story is told jointly by Dusty and Ronny; a failed
show-biz reporter, who after a single chance meeting
with her and became captivated and obsessed and
whose frustrated life in so many ways mirrors that of
Dusty`s. “The Middle of Nowhere” was judged the best
musical on its premiere at the Buxton Fringe Festival
and is now offered to theatres as a self-contained
show suitable for audiences of all ages.
Teenager Danny is a playstation afficionado. One
evening he is drawn into and through the screen of
his PC to enter the virtual world of his heroine Clara
and her peaceful people “ The Packs”. The
welcoming celebrations turn to anguish as Clara is
captured by the ferocious Cybermets and
imprisoned by Queen Virelia the ruler of Cyber City.
Danny sets off to rescue accompanied by a
reluctant and nervous group of “Packs”. Ultimely
the rescue is accomplished and, after several
perilous encounters, Clara, Danny and his
accomplices return to their joyful home.
Will Danny stay in the digital world of his heroine or
return to his `real world`? Did all this happen or was
it just a dream.
Clara is a fast moving musical with elements of
drama, dance, comedy and pantomine, perhaps
best described as `Wizard of Oz meets Gease`.
The music is modern and the work offers enormous
scope for characterisation, sets and a great night
for audiences 5 to 95.
Clara is a musical play for 6 men and 4 women (
some possible interchange available in dancing and
chorus arrangements).
The running time is 2 hours.