Perfect Pirates

Perfect Pirates The Story of Anne Bonny & Mary Read SCENE ONE – The Tavern During Song one’s introduction, pirates and townsfolk of New Providence enter and sit at tables. Captain Barnet and three of the governor’s employee’s, who are wearing black, sit at one table towards the back. They do not join in the impending song. Tavern staff bring on onion bottles of wine and tankards. Anne Bonny enters and sits at the centre table which is positioned nearer to the front of the performance space than the others. She watches, delighted, as the pirates sing and get up to dance around her. They even drag her up for a dance towards the end of the song. SONG 1: Pirates - The Pirates. Pirates.

Pirates are we, sailing the sea, a rum a dum a rum a dum a Pirates are we, try not to flee, a rum a dum a do. Pirates are we, totally free, a rum a dum a rum a dum a Pirates are we, mean we be, a rum a dum a dum a do. We can sail around the world, capture treasure by the boatload, We can cross the deep blue sea, plunder again and again. Scurvy dogs all drunk on beer, creatures you should loath and fear, Pistols aiming left and right, shooting again and again. Yo ho ho and blow me down, we sing upon a dead man’s chest. Yo ho ho and blow me down, we sing our pirate song. Yo ho ho and blow me down, we sing upon a dead man’s chest. Yo ho ho and blow me down, we sing our pirate song. (The balance of this song is in the main script)

At the end of the song the pirates and townsfolk settle down and Anne grabs a tankard of wine from a serving girl. As she drinks from the tankard James Bonny enters with three shipmates and creeps up behind her, clasping his hands over her eyes. James.

Hello my darling Anne, guess who?

Anne.

Is it the terrifying pirate Blackbeard?

James.

No.

Anne.

Is it the dashing pirate Black Bart, come to wisk me away to a life on the ocean blue?

James.

No, darlin’ it’s me.

Anne removes James’s hands from her eyes, disappointed. Anne.

Oh it’s you!

James.

Your lovin’ husband back from his pirate adventures.

Anne.

(Sarcastically) …..And how much money have you made for us this time dear husband?

James.

Well….you see…we ran into a few storms and……..

Anne.

You haven’t got anything for us have you?

James.

Well…. no.

Anne.

How are we supposed to live on nothing? I had money before I met you James Bonny. My rich father gave me everything I wanted.

James.

Apart from excitement and adventure.

Anne.

(Angrily) Waiting for a part time, useless pirate to return empty handed from a bodged voyage is not exciting.

James.

Don’t worry Anne, I’ve made a deal with the governor. I’m going to turn in some of my pirate friends. We can live off the reward.

© Educational Musicals Limited

Perfect Pirates Anne.

You’re despicable.

James.

Aren’t we all in New Providence?

SONG 2: New Providence - James Bonny & Pirates. James Bonny sings of how dishonest and evil New Providence is, full of thieves and pirates. Towards the end of the song he gestures to Captain Barnet and the governor’s employee’s. He then points to his shipmates and they are dragged away. Some of the pirates also exit at this point. Captain Barnet remains. James.

If you want fame and fortune and money to spare, There’s a place you can count on, I’ll take you right there. With cut-throats and pirates and thieves all around, There’s no one to help you or show you around. With gambling places and taverns to drink. You’ll love this old town if you don’t mind the stink. Rats on the pavements and mud on yer boot, There’s no better place to go spending your loot. (The balance of this song is in the main script)

At the end of the song many of the pirates and townsfolk exit leaving the tavern almost empty. Just a few worse for wear pirates sit at tables, and tavern staff are tidying up and wiping tables. Captain Barnet joins James and Anne. Captain Barnet.

Well done Mr. Bonny. Governor Rogers will be pleased. Three more scurvy pirates to be hanged in Port Royal. Here’s your reward.

Captain Barnet produces some gold coins and hands them to an eager James. James.

Don’t worry sir, if I find any more pirates I’ll let you know straight away.

James salutes badly and Captain Barnet exits. James goes to give Anne a hug. James.

Cor, look at this Anne, here’s the money you wanted.

Anne.

Get away from me, (shaking loose). You got that for betraying your friends.

James.

So what? I’m a pirate, I’m supposed to be despicable and untrustworthy, it’s part of the job description.

Anne.

Pirates aren’t all like you. I’m sure some are dashing and fearless just like in the stories.

James.

You live in a dreamworld Anne, real life isn’t like that.

Anne.

You’re wrong.

James.

Ah well, if you’re going to be like that, I’m off to spend this money.

James Bonny exits counting his money and laughing. Anne.

What have I done? I’m land locked and married to a loser.

SONG 3: Bored - Anne Bonny. Anne sings of how things could have been different. At the end of the song Anne should be sitting at the front of the performance area. Anne.

I’m bored with this life as James Bonny’s wife, I need some adventure some risk and some strife. A life on the ocean I really would love, A life like a pirate if push came to shove. I’m bored with the washing and wearing these clothes, I need to be where the south westerly’s blow. Out midst the sea spray and riding the waves, Women here seem, to be sort of slaves. Bored.

Bored.

(The balance of this song is in the main script)

© Educational Musicals Limited