The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2023 - Issue 34

bitetheatre lived. “Dad, don't be mad; these are the best friends I've ever had. My team, my squad.” Angrily, he declared he'd punish all the work- ers financially. “No pay for the workers for a week! I’ll up the rent for the Rebel Clefs for a month! I hope you’ve all had your fun. Cos if you found it hard in the past, believe me, that's gonna seem easy! You’re gonna get taxed to pay for my prize loss. You’re in this together to make up the cost!” Robyn pled on Crotchet’s behalf as she knew her dire home circumstances would mean she would become homeless and have to live on the streets amongst the rats and fall sick. “It’s only safe in the day. She won’t be able to find a home; time’s ticking away. Dad, where will she stay?” The Mayor, boasting he could never be a pie baker loser as he would always remain a win- ner, had Robyn extremely disgusted with her fa- ther’s actions and ashamed of accidentally nam- ing Crotchet as one of the pie baker culprits. He and his deputy evicted Crotchet from her house, throwing her onto the street. The May- or is desperate! Fearing his townspeople would turn against him after losing the pie contest and punishing the pie factory children workers, he hatched a plan and called for a conference in front of the whole town. “You’ve watched the pie-fest run. I got pie on my face. What? You think I am done? There may be rats, but I got a plan for that. I’m gonna give 100 gold to anyone who can run these rodents out of town.” The townspeople start daydreaming of winning 100 pieces of gold if they’re the ones who get rid of the rats in town. “I’m gonna get glam. I’ll buy a new outfit. I’ll get a new man. I’ll get a new tan. I’ll get a new van.” Sally Snorekin reported this declaration with hyped vigour. This is an opportunity to get something out of their stin- gy leader finally. The Rebel Clef members had a meeting and contemplated a plan, each sound- ing more ridiculous than the previous one. The Pied Piper entered in a blaze of glory and lights, purple cap, neon glasses and multi-coloured goatskin (faux) fur waistcoat, claiming he could help. “I heard your call. I heard it all. I’ll bring you hope in just twelve notes.” The Pied Piper led the audience in a call-and- response sing-out, reawakening the hype within us. Solo is interested in this man who demands attention and has people singing, whilst Sally Snorekin is excited to report the latest news. “Everybody wants to see the man who sings the songs. Somehow, he gets the children sing- ing, dancing along.” The Mayor, however, was upset that someone new to the town had taken his thunder and had everybody singing along with him. Inspired by him, Crotchet and Robyn pondered whether music and singing could an- swer their plights: Crotchet's poverty status and Robyn’s lack of confidence in singing. “This could be my time; I could write the rhyme. Claim the reward. Show my dad the power of my vocal chords.” However, the Mayor quick- ly shut down their aspirations. “Who do you think you are? A scientist, I wish you were. You know nothing of rats. Have no plan of attack. Get back to the factory. Your work is satisfacto- ry. Hamelin is my town, and I wear the crown.” Meanwhile, as the Rebel Clefs sang, Robyn joined in and discovered her confident and beautiful voice, which shocked both herself and the Clefs. From this, they form a connec- tion. Crotchet, now happy Robyn is part of the group, joined in singing with her, in harmony, in excellent acapella reverberance that sang to our hearts. “I’ve been trapped, and I’ve been lost. Singing to the silence, but I feel a melody. And I’ll find my own key.” Still reeling from losing the pie contest and Pied Piper’s claim he can solve the town’s rat prob- lem, the Mayor turned his attention to Crotch- et, who he felt instigated these circumstances and had his men drag her away. “This Crotchet girl caused me to fail. She has to learn. Let’s kick her out of the house, put her with the poor that’s riddled with rats. They’re bound to bite. She’ll never last one night.” Pied Piper explained to the Mayor how the singing could lead the rats out of Hamelin. However, the Mayor retort- ed he was stupid. “You think music can do it? You’re even more stupid than you look. You’re probably a crook. Ok mate, if you can make rats disappear, I’ll give you the 100 gold!” They struck a deal and the Pied Piper reminded the Mayor to pay him when the deed was done. Meanwhile, a guilt-ridden Robyn got anxious about her newly formed friend, Crotchet, and went into the town at dusk to look for her and save her from a night amongst the rats. “It’s cold outside, and we can’t wait. I’m scared for my best mate; she’s homeless, and it feels hopeless. Hopefully, the Pied Piper will stop it. Running out of time, her life is on the line. All because of me, I wanna set her free.” The Pied Piper cast a magic spell on the towns- people (and the audience, I may add) to sing to- gether. He sang there was a missing ingredient to the magic and noticed Robyn, encouraging her to let out a spellbinding note. The entire auditorium went silent as she let out a peal of