SING
Written by
Garth Jennings
Illumination Entertainment 2230 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90404, United States (310) 593-8800
THIS MATERIAL IS THE PROPERTY OF ILLUMINATION ENTERTAINMENT AND IS INTENDED AND RESTRICTED SOLELY FOR ILLUMINATION PERSONNEL. DISTRIBUTION OR DISCLOSURE OF THIS MATERIAL TO UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS IS PROHIBITED. THE SALE, DISPLAY, COPYING OR REPRODUCTION OF THIS MATERIAL FOR ANY REASON IN ANY FORM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DIGITAL OR NEW MEDIA, IS ALSO PROHIBITED.
The sound of an orchestra tuning up.
Tilt down from twinkling stars to reveal the most beautiful old theatre in a street heaving with life...
...But not human life. This is a city inhabited entirely by animals.
We glide under the illuminated marquee and through the doors into a grand foyer, where the very last patrons hurry to their seats...
The ornate house lights dim... Voices hushed.
The music starts. The orchestra is loud and dramatic.
BACKSTAGE: A lever is pulled... A sandbag drops from the rafters...
A stage light turns on and points towards the stage. A MONKEY stands in the wings and pulls tightly on a rope. The Curtain opens, revealing a stage set resembling an enchanted wood.
FROM THE WINGS we see the back of a FEMALE SHEEP (NANA NOODLEMAN) in a stunning purple dress and a tiara waiting to go on stage. STAGE HANDS adjust the train of her gown.
Nana’s shoulders rise and fall as she takes a last breath before stepping out.
As NANA raises her face into the spotlight she sings “Golden Slumbers” by the Beatles.
The camera turns away from the stage to view the audience...
Sing 2.
... We find an adorably scruffy little koala - BUSTER MOON - sitting with his FATHER in the balcony. His father pulls him up onto his knee. Buster’s eyes are wide, enthralled.
Buster’s father delights in his son’s response to the show.
CLOSE UP: Young adult BUSTER and his FATHER.
We pull back to reveal Buster about to cut a ribbon in the theatre foyer. His FATHER stands proudly next to him and a photo is taken - freezing the action in a PHOTO.
The camera continues to pull wider to reveal the PHOTO hangs on a wall amongst posters for theatre productions.
At the base of this wall of photos we find Buster sat in a chair facing his posters. He spins around and talks into camera.
Sing 3.
It’s the present day, the action is now live and Buster is startled as if waking from a dream.
THE SECRETARY: MISS CRAWLY - a spectacularly doddery old lizard with one glass eye - enters through a connecting office door.
Buster peers through the closed blinds to see --
-- a group of ANGRY ANIMALS waiting and pacing in the hall outside his office. KNOCKING AND SHOUTING CONTINUES THROUGHOUT.
She points towards a red light flashing on Buster’s telephone.
Buster grabs a briefcase and dashes across the room.
Sing 4.
Buster moves a large old poster to reveal a SMALL HOLE IN THE WALL.
And with that, Buster vanishes through the hole.
O.S.: We continue to hear the muffled sound of the angry crew knocking.
Buster crawls across the narrow planks that crisscross VERY HIGH above the stage - the stuff of vertigo!
Buckets half-filled with rain water placed beneath holes in the roof, line his path. Buster steps on to a LARGE WOODEN CRESCENT MOON PROP...
Buster releases a tethered rope. A counterweight rises and the MOON DROPS WITH BUSTER RIDING IT LIKE AN ELEVATOR. The crescent moon carries Buster down from the rafters and stops on the stage (which is looking old and shabby.)
Buster exits the theatre present day: a little worse for wear and squeezed between two larger, more modern buildings. We can still hear the angry animals shouting his name as Buster hops on a bicycle and cycles off down the street.
Buster CYCLES DOWN THE HILL AT TOP SPEED and the camera WHOOSHES away - taking us on an epic tour of the city!
He speeds down the street, nearly hitting a GARBAGE TRUCK. Buster swerves, avoiding cars.
Sing 5.
TITLE CARD: SING
A RHINO COP directing traffic with a shrill whistle. A PIG rides a scooter over a canal bridge under which a whale surfaces momentarily.
SALMON wearing neckties leap up water-filled steps... WHOOSH... as Buster bikes down the same steps.
We find ourselves at the end of an alleyway where we hear a beautiful, soulful voice singing ACAPPELLA: “The Way I Feel Inside” by The Zombies. You would think these tender tones emanate from a sensitive creature...
... But we find the source to be a HUGE, TEENAGE GORILLA idly leaning against an alley wall and singing to no one.
The sound of a walkie-talkie cuts Johnny off.
Johnny looks around the corner: 2 POLICE RHINOS are strolling in his direction.
Johnny gasps as he ducks back into the shadows of the alley just as the COPS appear - mildly curious.
Johnny whispers urgently into his own WALKIE-TALKIE.
Too late -- 2 HUGE GORILLAS IN BUNNY MASKS CARRYING SACKS OF LOOT SMASH THROUGH A WINDOW FURTHER DOWN THE ALLEY. ALARMS RING.
POLICE RHINO 2 POLICE RHINO
What the-- Hey! Hold it right there!
Sing 6.
The Gorillas see the cops and dash out of sight down a perpendicular alleyway. The cops charge past JOHNNY (still hiding in the shadows) but they are forced back against the wall as the GANG’S TRUCK roars around the corner, then charges right past them.
As the truck passes JOHNNY - he leaps on to the back where the two other Gorilla’s cling to their loot. The leader (BIG DADDY) commands with fierce authority.
Johnny awkwardly pulls on a bunny mask. Sirens wail as the VAN takes a hairpin bend-- WHOOSH! The camera FLIES away, twisting and turning through the city...
...into the window of AN APARTMENT where we find ROSITA (A FEMALE PIG) washing dishes while singing along with the radio playing “Firework” by Katy Perry.
RADIO/ROSITA DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE A PLASTIC BAG DRIFTING THROUGH THE WIND, WANTING TO START AGAIN?
Rosita turns to switch off the tap in time to stop a jug of water from over-flowing. She turns, kicks a football safely out of her way, and carries a jug of water towards a table where 25 PIGLETS feast on their lunch like barbarians.
As she re-fills their glasses, some of the piglets CRINGE at her singing. Another piglet (CASPAR) leaps on to the table.
Sing 7.
He crudely mimics Rosita singing and the piglets EXPLODE WITH LAUGHTER.
He doesn’t of course, so Rosita has to wrangle him instead. NORMAN, Rosita’s husband, enters wearing a suit and tie.
Rosita pulls the car keys out of a piglet’s mouth and hurls them to Norman before dealing with Caspar who continues to mock her singing.
Norman checks his phone as he talks.
He kisses Rosita’s cheek and rushes to the door.
SLAM! He exits leaving Rosita in the midst of chaos. She walks to the window, turns up the radio and gazes wistfully into the distance as she leans against the windowsill --WHOOSH!The camera continues straight out of the window PAST THE UNDERPANTS--Shoots through the city... Towards the party side of town... and through the air vents of a Tiki bar...
... To a stage where a surly GOTH PORCUPINE DUO (LANCE and ASH) perform an original song “I DON’T WANNA”. Imagine Siouxsie Sioux and Robert Smith, but bristling with black quills and playing electric guitars.
LANCE (CONT’D)
Sing 8.
I DON’T WANNA TALK TO YA! I DON’T WANNA WALK WITH YA! I’M NOT GONNA PLAY FOR YA! I DON’T NEED ANYONE ELSE! I LIVE MY LIFE BY MYSELF! NOT LISTENING ANYWAY!
LANCE plays it cool but ASH gets carried away, kicks over her own mic and joins LANCE on lead vocals at his mic. LANCE pushes ASH off of his mic.
BUT THE MUSIC SUDDENLY STOPS DEAD and the camera turns to reveal a contrasting scene: a cheesy HAWAIIAN-STYLE BAR empty except for the owner: A BEAR called HARRY in a Hawaiian shirt, who has pulled the plug and holds it up - aghast.
MINUTES LATER: We remain in the bar as ASH AND LANCE pack up and the next band set up/tune.
WHOOSH! We zoom through the streets until we find ourselves outside a small house --
MEENA’S HOUSE/KITCHEN:
MEENA (a female teenage elephant) lights the last of 70 candles on a birthday cake.
Meena carries the cake in while singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Her voice is beautiful. The house is very small indeed.
Sing 9.
BEAT AS GRANDPA, GRANDMA and MOM sigh in admiration.
GRANDPA, GRANDMA, MOM Awwww!
We HOLD ON MEENA throughout the following as she blushes at her Grandpa’s grand exclamations.
MEENA’S MOTHER Hey, hey, dad, we’ve been over this.
Grandpa closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and blows out the candles with a great BLAST of his trunk -- WHOOSH! -- The BLAST carries us out of the house, down the street and up to--
-- The steps of a subway station where a lone saxophone reverberates. A white mouse called MIKE plays a superb sax solo.
A BABOON tosses a coin into his case. Mike stops playing and regards the coin with disgust.
Sing 10.
He JUMPS down the stairs and grabs the Baboon by the collar.
The Baboon is totally freaked out and awkwardly empties his pockets. Mike checks everything that lands on the ground.
The baboon’s money clip filled with bills lands on the ground. Mike grabs it and waves it like a defence lawyer to passers by.
The baboon clears his throat. Mike takes a handful of dollars out and hurls the empty money clip at the baboon.
Sing 11.
The wheezing Baboon runs for his life as Mike resumes his sax tune.
-- WHOOSH -- we zoom away from Mike and the Baboon to... The fanciest restaurant in town - LES CALMARS - named after its distinctive use of squid-filled tanks. Buster arrives on his bicycle beside the valet parking attendant (A CHIMPANZEE.) Buster walks away and the bike frame falls apart in the valet’s hands.
We find Buster and his friend Eddie (A SHEEP) sitting at a table in this extremely fancy restaurant. A gigantic tank filled with luminous squid frames their conversation.
Sing 12.
A MAÎTRE D’ clears his throat and takes out pen and pad.
The MAÎTRE D’ checks his watch, groans and exits.
Buster *pounds his fist, catapulting his spoon across the room where it knocks into a BULL, who drops his cell phone into his soup.
Sing 13.
Eddie points at the menu.
Buster pulls out a lunch box and throws a sandwich to Eddie.
FURIOUS, the Maître D’ leaves the disgruntled Bull’s side and heads towards Buster.
MAITRE’D (to Bull) Excuse me, sir.
Buster is thrown out of the revolving doors and onto the street. A painful landing.
Eddie arrives by his side and gives him his bag and jacket.
BUSTER exits.
Sing 14.
We see MISS CRAWLY working at her desk.
Her desk fan pans past her face. The force of air SO POWERFUL her skin flaps like a flag in a storm.
BUSTER grabs the money box. QUICK SHOTS: Buster unplugs an old radio... rolls up a small Persian rug... takes off his watch...
Buster hurls ALL OF THE ABOVE into a prop treasure chest and closes the lid.
Sing 15.
ON MISS CRAWLY as the blast from her powerful desk fan causes her glass eye to pop out! It bounces on the keyboard, adding 2 more zeros to the prize money. $1000 BECOMES$100,000!
MISS CRAWLY’s glass eye rolls across the floor and under the piano.
She hits PRINT and gets up to go fetch her glass eye...
... She has no idea that the printed sheets of yellow paper HAVE A HUGE TYPO!
BUSTER walks over to the window and takes a deep breath, looking out at the city below. He pets the window sill, like a sea captain at the wheel.
A little wood and paint crumbles under his paw.
Buster opens the door into Miss Crawly’s office.
She turns from the printer with her arms full of flyers --
-- into the path of the FAN. All the flyers are blasted out of the window.
Sing 16.
Buster runs to the window but his little paws fail to grasp the very last flyer.
OUTSIDE: The sky is filled with bright orange flyers.
OUTSIDE: Like a flock of birds, the leaflets swoop around the city...
... lifted on the breeze... blown by air-con units... sent up by steam rising from manhole covers and the thrust of traffic. Despite it being an accident, this is a magical and beautiful moment...
ASH and LANCE stand HAND IN HAND on the subway platform. The flyers swoop in and adhere to their quills. Ash pulls one off of Lance’s body and reads it.
Lance steps onto the subway train and rides off, leaving Ash standing on the platform, reading the flyer.
As she reads, Ash’s face lights up and orange flyers swarm like butterflies around her. She runs after the train, waving the flyer.
JOHNNY closes the steel shutters. An orange flyer creeps in underneath and JOHNNY READS.
He slips the flyer into his coat pocket.
Sing 17.
We see Meena HUMMING as she waters some flowers. Her Mom and Grandpa tap her on the shoulder and HOLD UP THE FLYER.
MEENA’S MOTHER Meena!
A NUN DOG reads a flyer before tossing it over her shoulder like trash.
But when Mike reads the flyer his FURY TURNS TO DELIGHT.
ROSITA wearily washes a HUGE STACK of dishes by the window - the phone clamped between her ear and shoulder.
Her attention is caught by a flyer sticking against the glass. As it slides down, ROSITA TILTS HER HEAD TO READ IT.
ROSITA’S POV: The words SINGING CONTEST slide through frame.
BACK TO ROSITA: She is so distracted by this idea that the phone slips from Rosita’s shoulder into the sink and her face lights up in recognition of this golden opportunity...
The camera pulls back from her window, wider and wider to reveal the city at night and one last flyer falling to the ground like a leaf.
CLOSE UP: Buster sleepily reaches to turn off his alarm.
Buster yawns, sits up and BANGS HIS HEAD on the ceiling of the world’s smallest bedroom.
Sing 18.
QUICK SHOTS: He cleans his teeth and smiles at his reflection in a tiny mirror - pulls on a jacket - laces his shoes - fastens a tie and...
Push open the tiny door to reveal...
... THE DOOR IS JUST A DRAWER IN BUSTER’S DESK. He jumps into his chair and spins into the highest position.
Miss Crawly scuttles through the door.
The cup is empty.
Buster’s withering look.
Buster rushes to the window and is so stunned by what he sees his coffee cup falls out of his hand and hits the floor.
Sing 19.
VIEW: HUNDREDS OF ANIMALS LINE UP AROUND THE BLOCK AND A NEWS TRUCK PULLS UP.
BUSTER stands on his desk with the phone to his ear.
Buster hangs up the phone.
The camera zooms from the far end of the audition line past the animals queuing around the block... Into the foyer, where Miss Crawly addresses the crowd with a bullhorn.
Buster stands beside Miss Crawly. Awestruck by the scene.
Buster sits at a small desk stationed in the audience. Up on the stage PRAWNS sing“Crazy In Love” by Beyoncé inside a tank and they’re pretty good.
Buster grooves along - delighted - and Miss Crawly notes his response on her list.
Sing 20.
Buster and Miss Crawly’s eyes are frozen wide open in shock.
A quartet of FROGS sing “Jump” by Van Halen. They leap in time with the words.
Rosita stands by the door sending her piglets off to school.
The door slams.
One last look at the FLYER confirms her excitement. Rosita grabs her bag and races to the door...
ROSITA runs out of her apartment block and down the street.
A SHEEP sings “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal. DREADFUL.
5 female Red Pandas (Q-TEEZ) perform an ultra-energetic nonsensical version of “Kira Kira Killer” by Kyray Pamyu Pamyu.
Sing 21.
A barbershop quartet of TURTLES sing Donovan’s “I Love My Shirt.”
Miss Crawly’s eyes light up. Buster doesn’t seem as intrigued.
A BULL sings an AWESOME version of “Butterfly” by Crazy Town.
A LIVELY NEWS REPORTER DOG interviews a HIPPO waiting in line. Enthusiastic crowds wave into camera.
A HIPPO sings “Stout-Hearted Men” by Shooby Taylor.
Three FEMALE RABBITS singing “Anaconda” by Nicki Minaj.
Sing 22.
Buster can’t help but be intrigued.
The END OF Ash and Lance’s performance is extremely loud. Buster and Miss Crawly look like they’re bracing against a hurricane.
The song ends but ASH cannot help stepping to the mic and holding that last note in a charismatic pose.
Lance may scowl but Buster is clearly impressed by ASH.
A LLAMA with an acoustic guitar starts to play, but keeps stopping to tune the strings.
Buster is tortured beyond belief.
3 young PARROTS bumble their way through “Lollipop” by The Chordettes.
JOHNNY calls to his DAD who is boxing with a speed bag.
His DAD pauses to answer.
Sing 23.
OUTSIDE: JOHNNY closes the door, drops his skateboard and skates away at speed from the gang’s headquarters.
Amongst the crowds we find MIKE talking to A TV REPORTER.
He points to the orange flyer in his hand.
FAST CUTS: AN ALLIGATOR performs “The Humpty Dance” by Digital Underground.
A GERBIL squeaks out Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.”
A MOTHER KANGAROO pulls a JOEY from her pouch and holds her up to the mic to sing “The Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats.
Sing 24.
A line-up of SPIDERS sing “The Ketchup Song” by Las Ketchup.
PETE the CAMEL sustains a single operatic high note from “Nessun Dorma.”
RAY the SNAIL sits on top of the microphone singing “Ride Like the Wind” by Christopher Cross.
DANIEL a GIRAFFE, with the microphone stretched high in the air, to meet his head, sings Michael Jackson’s “Ben” sweetly.
Buster and Miss Crawly crane their necks to watch him sing. Buster seems excited.
JOHNNY performs “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith beautifully.
Johnny bounds for the wings where MEENA waits nervously.
Sing 25.
We follow MEENA out on stage, her nerves apparent as she finds the spotlight. She bumps the mic and knocks it over.
The backing track for “Chandelier” by Sia begins to play but Meena only STUTTERS nervously. Meena stares at the microphone, PANTING and STRUGGLING to get a word out.
ON MEENA: the music is drowned out by the beat of her heart. Buster clearly feels bad for her.
Mike suddenly marches on to the stage and PUSHES MEENA AWAY.
Mike THROWS HIS HAT at Buster and begins to sing “Pennies From Heaven” by Frank Sinatra with a voice as smooth and delicious as chocolate silk.
Buster SMILES. This one’s a keeper!
Sing 26.
Meena mopes out of the theatre, fighting back tears. She kicks a tree in frustration. Every leaf on the tree is dumped on her.
EXTREME CLOSE UP ON ROSITA singing “Firework” by Katy Perry. Pitch perfect but she does NOT MOVE AT ALL. Buster makes notes...
TIME LAPSE: THE AUDITION LINE DWINDLES...
Music ends.
CUT TO dramatic close ups of nervous animals awaiting judgment.
Sing 27.
Buster stands before the huge crowd of animals; a tremendous presence for such a tiny ball of fur.
Buster scrutinizes each animal in painful silence. He rejects most but SELECTS THE *FROGS.
The Frogs CELEBRATE. Buster turns to Ash and Lance.
Animals leave the stage defeated.
Sing 28.
JOHNNY, MIKE, A BULL (RICHARD) A SNAIL (RAY), A CAMEL (PETE) AND GIRAFFE (DANIEL) nervously step forward.
Buster circles them, checks them up and down from behind and RICHARD IS SO NERVOUS THAT HE SUDDENLY FARTS.
Richard farts again.
Richard begins to exit when - CRUNCH! - He steps on the snail.
The Bull picks up Ray who looks bewildered.
Sing 29.
Richard farts his way off stage carrying the snail.
Johnny holds his breath.
Johnny nods sadly in agreement with the decision and leaves the stage... but Daniel has yet to respond...
Daniel’s head is so high up HE CANNOT HEAR.
Buster takes hold of Miss Crawly’s bullhorn.
Johnny is relieved.
Rosita steps forward.
Sing 30.
Rosita sighs.
GUNTER freestyles his way across the stage to join Rosita.
THE CHILD KANGAROO howls as her angry MOTHER leads her out ahead of a crowd of animals leaving the auditorium.
Eddie casually strolls past the crowd of REJECTED ANIMALS leaving the theatre.
ON BUSTER standing back to admire his cast.
Sing 31.
THE Q-TEEZ respond happily, in JAPANESE.
The Q-TEEZ take this as their cue to DANCE.
They giggle as Miss Crawly SHOOS them off the stage.
Eddie takes a seat in the back of the auditorium and idly reads one of the flyers.
ON MIKE as he jumps on to the treasure chest.
Sing 32.
All the animals agree -“Me too”! “Open it!” “Let’s see it!”
Eddie arrives at the stage.
Eddie holds out the flyer to Buster who emits a SHRILL YELP.
He GRABS Miss Crawly and pulls her offstage.
Miss Crawly sobs while Buster paces frantically.
She blows her nose. It sounds like a gloop-filled trumpet.
She scuttles out of the room, howling with remorse. Eddie sits at Buster’s desk. Buster paces.
Sing 33.
Buster points to a BUCKET etched with the logo: MOON’S CAR WASH.
Buster points to a DIFFERENT BUCKET filled with water.
Buster points to the silver bucket again.
Sing 34.
Buster SIGHS.
The auditorium doors burst open revealing BUSTER (holding the orange flyer) and Eddie. The cast mill about on stage.
The cast looks confused.
Eddie SLAPS his forehead.
The cast CHEERS! The Q-TEEZ dance around their boombox.
She SHOOS them off the stage.
Sing 35.
Eddie approaches Buster.
Buster mounts a moon prop attached to a scenic cable.
Buster pulls the cable and SHOOTS UP HIGH INTO THE RAFTERS.
Camera pulls back from the TV set where the evening news is playing...
The camera finds Meena sitting at the kitchen table, tears rolling down her cheeks as she whisks a bowl of batter. Mom lifts a tray of muffins from the oven.
Sing 36.
MEENA’S MOTHER Oh honey, please don’t cry. You arenot a failure. There’ll be other chances, you just--
GRANDPA preaches from the doorway.
MEENA’S MOTHER Dad, please--
We hear the sound of Lance singing and strumming his guitar.
Sing 37.
Lance starts to sing with his guitar.
Ash gives up and storms out of the room.
Mike is busking REGULAR JAZZ but changes to a MORE SEDUCTIVE tune when a PRETTY FEMALE MOUSE passes. She remains aloof despite Mike serenading her down the street and around the corner to...The exterior of a NIGHT CLUB. Fancy cars and velvet rope etc.The pretty mouse walks straight into the club and beckons Mike to come, too. But Mike is turned away by a huge gorilla BOUNCER.
The Bouncer SHAKES his head and then pushes Mike aside to allow 3 bears to pass.
Mike rudely honks his sax at him.
Johnny walks through the door.
THE GANG have gathered around a model plan of a robbery.
Sing 38.
BARRY shifts - clearly uneasy with this change of plan.
Sing 39.
ROSITA stands at the end of a toothbrushing production line on the telephone.
The ‘piglet train’ rushes past her once again.
IN THE KITCHEN:
The front door opens and NORMAN shuffles wearily through it. It’s clearly been raining outside. Rosita takes his coat and case. She’s excited to talk.
Norman just groans and opens the fridge.
Norman scoffs some pie as he plods towards the sofa.
Norman’s answer is a loud SNORE and the food on his lap slides off his plate. Rosita SIGHS... The TV drones on... Norman snores... Rosita hears Buster’s voice inside her head.
Sing 40.
... Filled with a renewed sense of purpose, Rosita strides out of the lounge, opens the cupboard and reaches to the back.
CLOSE UP: Rosita pulls out a power drill and a toy train. A pull of the trigger confirms it is powered up and ready for use.
From outside we hear blasts of drilling, sawing and hammering and we see lights indicating activity inside. Rain falls.
It’s the same shot but the sun has risen and the power tool concerto finally comes to an end.
An alarm clock rings and activates a HANDMADE system that opens the curtains in the piglets’ bedroom and triggers a tape recorded message from Rosita.
The piglets, groaning, groggily do as they’re told.
A Heath Robinson-style device takes care of the chores. Devices pour cereal and milk into bowls before lifting out of sight. The piglets run to the table and devour the cereal.
Norman sleepily enters, pulling on a jacket.
Sing 41.
Norman is oblivious to the mechanics whirring above his head.
The piglets rise from the table and the entire table cloth is lifted on wires and carried out... A device hands each piglet a backpack.
A counter flips to25, triggering the door to close and lock.
ROSITA joins the REST OF THE CAST entering the theatre.
The cast are on stage receiving instructions from BUSTER while MISS CRAWLY hands out song lists to the cast.
The animals regard their individual lists with vocal interest. Ash arrives late on stage.
Sing 42.
Buster hands Ash a song list. She looks bemused. The Frogs fight over the song list.
The cast begin to exit stage in an optimistic hubbub. We follow Buster as he walks amongst them backstage.
Sing 43.
-- Buster is cut off by the SOUND OF QUARRELING.
Buster enters to find THE FROGS ARE FIGHTING.
As the Frogs continue to bicker, Buster notices the Q-Teez rehearsing in the next room.
He bangs on the glass and gestures for them to exit, which they misinterpret as choreography.
Buster exits.
ROSITA and GUNTER enter their rehearsal room.
Sing 44.
Gunter hits PLAY on a stereo (thumping music plays) and unzips his tracksuit to reveal an eye-popping unitard.
He holds up a TINY DRESS just as-- MIKE flings the door open.
ON ASH exiting her rehearsal room.
Buster presents her with a BRIGHT PINK LEOTARD.
Sing 45.
Buster turns back to the rail.
Buster pulls out a SPARKLY PRINCESS DRESS.
A POWER CUT suddenly plunges the theatre into DARKNESS.
Buster winces. Animals fumble and bump about in the darkness.
The cast are baffled.
Sing 46.
Gunter sings and waves his glow sticks in the air.
Buster climbs out of his office window HOLDING THE END OF A POWER CABLE. He shimmies carefully along a ledge but a piece of the theatre suddenly breaks off under his foot.
Buster prepares to JUMP ACROSS to the neighbouring department store... Leaps......... BUT MISSES!
ON MEENA arriving at the theatre with a cake tin as BUSTER bounces in front of her on the end of his power cable like a yoyo.
Sing 47.
Meena lifts Buster up to the ledge with her trunk.
While Buster rushes to connect his cable to his neighbour’s supply, Meena reads from notes she has scrawled on her hand.
Buster’s power cable is too short. He pulls HARD--
BACK IN THE OFFICE: The power cable is released from under a door but *TRAPS Miss Crawly against the cabinet! The lights go on.
Miss Crawly is still pinned against the cabinet.
Buster re-enters the backstage area with Meena by his side.
Meena pulls a lever (up high) and the stage scenic rises.
Sing 48.
Meena throws two switches, ILLUMINATING THE SPECTACULAR AUDITORIUM.
Buster is charmed by Meena’s shared expression of wonder.
Meena stops to admire all the different acts rehearsingin their rooms. A DELIGHTFUL MUSICAL PANORAMA...
Meena looks down to see Mike standing on the steps.
Sing 49.
Mike sits opposite a BULL BANK MANAGER.
The goat pushes a silver credit card towards Mike.
The FEMALE MOUSE is walking up to the club entrance. She hears A CAR HORN BLAST and EVERYONE turns to see--
--MIKE pulling up in A SPORTS CAR.
Everyone, including the female mouse, is in awe. Mike exits his car and offers his arm to the female mouse. She takes it. They approach the door to the club.
The BOUNCER allows them entry... Into the pulsating light they go.
ASH AND LANCE are laughing at song choices together on the sofa.
Sing 50.
Lance stops laughing.
Lance throws up his paws in surrender.
Lance exits. Ash looks at the song list and reconsiders...
MEENA steps off the BUS, humming along to her headphones. As the bus pulls away it reveals--
-- Her front garden full of ANIMALS EXCITED TO SEE HER.
SILENCE. Meena turns to her MOTHER.
--EXPLOSION OF CHEERS FROM THE CROWD.
MEENA’S GRANDMOTHER Aaaaaah! I knew it! I knew it!
Sing 51.
MEENA’S MOTHER Oh, I’m so proud o’ you, I could pop!
MEENA’S MOTHER Wait a minute, wait a minute. Don’t be mad, okay? It was your Grandma. She told the whole street about your audition.
MEENA’S MOTHER -- Shush baby, you need to save that singing voice of yours so from now on, just nod or shake your head, okay?
Meena nods. Neighbours call her name and take pictures.
BIG DADDY looks up from his stopwatch to see the gang’s van shuddering towards him. BIG DADDY shakes his head as it pulls up next to him. Johnny leans out of the window. The radio is BLASTING.
Sing 52.
JOHNNY doesn’t wait for the rest of his father’s advice - he just puts the pedal down and drives off leaving his father furious.
THE VAN roars down the track - Johnny puts his head down and looks fierce.
He drives like a maniac.
Johnny is about to hit his father and slams on the brakes.
Beat as dust settles. Big Daddy pops up and SLAMS the hood of the car, LAUGHING.
ROSITA creeps in through the front door to find the lights low and her ‘system’ completing cleaning tasks.
ROSITA peeps in the kids room and they are all asleep. A recording of Rosita finishes up.
ROSITA climbs into bed next to NORMAN WHO IS VERY SLEEPY.
Sing 53.
Norman affectionately lays his hand on her leg.
Norman rolls over, leaving Rosita beaming with excitement.
Water drips into Buster’s bucket for the leak. Above it, we find Buster high up on a ladder fixing a pipe with some tape, singing a tune.
He wipes away water that has dripped on the photo of HIMSELF AND HIS FATHER CUTTING THE RIBBON. He smiles at the memory.
FLASHBACK: BUSTER OUTSIDE THE THEATRE WITH HIS DAD.
MISS CRAWLY brings Buster back to reality.
Sing 54.
Judith appears.
Buster ushers Judith out of the theatre.
She turns to walk away.
Buster finds Miss Crawly looking at him with real concern.
Sprinklers hiss and crickets creak. Underwater lights illuminate a pool on the grounds of a fine L.A.-style mansion. Eddie approaches the waters’ edge sipping from a soda can. He sheds his bathrobe to reveal a Speedo, before walking to the end of a diving board - deep breath - and dive...
Sing 55.
UNDERWATER: Eddie is a graceful swimmer. Elegant strokes pull him through the water and back to the surface --
-- to find he is looking straight into Buster’S FACE.
Buster is seated beside the pool steps drinking Eddie’s soda.
A voice calls from the main house.
EDDIE’S MOM (O.S.) Eddie? Is everything alright?
Eddie and Buster sit side by side on inflatable chairs PLAYING THE X BOX in the pool house. NOTE: we do not see the game, we only watch Buster and Eddie.
Sing 56.
Without taking his eyes off the game, Eddie knocks over his surfboard, revealing a family photo on the wall, at the centre of which sits a SPECTACULAR SURLY ARISTOCRATIC FEMALE SHEEP.
Buster forgets the game and gazes up at this scary old sheep. A smile of great interest spreads across his face.
THE STAGE: MIKE sings “Let’s Face The Music And Dance.”
IN THE WINGS: Buster coaches Meena with the lighting system.
Meena pulls a cable but IT GETS STUCK.
Sing 57.
Meena knocks on the cable as if it were a door and the ropes loosen. The moon lowers behind MIKE.
Buster glugs the coffee as Miss Crawly looks distracted.
Buster takes the cup from his lips to reveal her glass eye in his mouth. He gags and spits the eyeball which hits a lever. The lighting rig hits the stage. A sandbag swings and knocks Pete flying. The glass eye ricochets against a light and shoots back into Miss Crawly’s head where it belongs.
A small fire breaks out. Meena rushes out with an extinguisher.
Buster turns to see Pete’s feet sticking out of the rigging.
PETE is placed in an AMBULANCE with his neck in a brace.
Sing 58.
ON BUSTER CONCERNED as the ambulance pulls away and TWO FROGS storm out of the theatre.
They don’t answer. The 3rd Frog exits in tears.
Howie sobs as he runs away.
Miss Crawly helps to put the fire out on-stage.
A piece of the stage collapses beneath her.
Sing 59.
THE Q-TEEZ run by.
Buster walks in and shuts off the Q-TEEZ music system.
They don’t understand, so he pulls out his phrase book.
The Q-Teez GASP. One of them SLAPS him.
GUNTER is baffled by the sight of... ROSITA covering the floor in COLOUR-CODED DANCE STEPS. (“Venus” by Bananarama.)
Sing 60.
She demonstrates by stiffly following the steps as she sings.
--PIGLET CASPAR charges into the room yelling.
Caspar dances, messing up the floor plan. Gunter joins in.
He plays the intro to “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen.
Sing 61.
Buster acts out the song, unaware of how stupid he looks.
Sarcastic performance and phoney smile.
JOHNNY thumps the piano keys in frustration.
The voice comes from his jacket hanging from the coat rack.
Sing 62.
Buster talks to Johnny.
Ash enters - EXHAUSTED. LOUD MUSIC blasts from the next room.
LANCE & BECKY (O.S.) I WANT LOVE TO FORGET THAT YOU OFFENDED ME, HOW YOU HAVE DEFENDED ME WHEN EVERYBODY TORE ME DOWN.
Ash opens the door to find LANCE REHEARSING WITH A FEMALE PORCUPINE! They share a mic and gaze adoringly at each other until...
LANCE & BECKY ...CHANGE MY FRIENDS TO ENEMIES--
... they spot ASH. Music falters.
The new girl takes off her FUNKY PINK SUNGLASSES.
Sing 63.
ASH’S FRONT DOOR as Lance and Becky rush out.
Ash appears at the door - extremely upset.
Ash hurls Lance’s guitar case at him.
--ASH slams the door and as if the strings holding her were cut, she slides to the floor.
We travel across the heaving dance floor and find MIKE with his girlfriend gambling with 3 BEARS. The BOSS BEAR lays the last card. Mike has won!
Mike slips DEREK (AN ALLIGATOR) $20 and Derek exits with Mike’s winnings.
Sing 64.
Nancy GIGGLES.
As Mike walks away, BOSS BEAR spies a white piece of paper sticking out of Mike’s jacket. His suspicion leads him to reach for it and in doing so he PULLS OUT AN ACE CARD.
Mike runs and LEAPS OVER THE BALCONY.
Mike lands on a BALLOON which sails over the dance floor before POPPING ON A RHINO’S HORN. Mike scrambles to the door.
Mike leaps into his car just as DEREK is closing his trunk.
The BEARS BURST out of the door behind him.
Mike shoots off, and the bears leap onto the back of his car. Mike swerves, and the bears fly off into the alleyway.
Sing 65.
HOLD ON THE BEARS: They peel themselves off the ground. Humiliated and robbed - they start to growl. This is NOT over...
Eddie answers his cell phone while walking down the street.
SPLIT SCREEN: Eddie talks to Buster (who is somewhere else.)
THE SPLIT SCREEN IS NOW ONE SHOT - Eddie STANDS FACING BUSTER IN THE SAME PLACE. Buster is outside AN OLD MANSION.
Buster yanks some flowers from a pot, hands the bunch to Eddie and rings the doorbell.
The door is opened by a DODDERY OLD PENGUIN BUTLER (HOBBS.)
Buster scans the hall before throwing his arms open wide in recognition of Nana.
Sing 66.
We reveal NANA, a fearsome elderly black sheep dressed like Norma Desmond, descending a magnificent staircase.
Buster rushes up and offers Nana the flowers. She is clearly appalled. Buster speaks loud, as if she might be deaf.
Nana turns her disgust towards the fearful Eddie.
Sing 67.
Buster gives the flowers to Eddie and pursues Nana.
A magnificent room decorated with paintings and statues of Nana and a devastatingly beautiful view of the city below.
She looks across a magnificent lawn to the sprawling city.
Eddie rushes back in with the tea.
Sing 68.
Buster kicks Eddie.
Buster offers her tea - his seduction seeming to take effect.
She gestures to Hobbs standing gormless by the door.
Sing 69.
The cast were NOT expecting that!
The cast respond as if this were spectacular but nerve- wracking news. Gasps and ‘wows.’
Buster lays out his blueprint for a new stage design.
ON JOHNNY as a walkie-talkie crackles to life in his jacket.
Johnny makes a dash for a private corner.
Sing 70.
Johnny is frozen in conflict.
The van screeches to a halt with JOHNNY AT THE WHEEL. The gang burst out of the back of the van wearing masks. They lever a manhole open and jump down one by one. BIG DADDY thumps the side of the van - startling Johnny.
Big Daddy runs and jumps down the hole.
For a moment Johnny just twitches with indecision.
Johnny U-turns the van and shoots off down the street.
MIKE sporting A NEW SUIT and diamond-topped cane, finishes.
Sing 71.
Ash rises from a dark corner in the GRAY DRESS.
Buster and Miss Crawly sit discussing blueprints.
“CALL ME MAYBE” begins in all its high-energy glory but ASH IS MISERABLE.
Ash finds the words unlocking her emotions. Eyes glisten, lips quiver, voice falters...
Buster and Miss Crawly both look to the stage, confused. Ash’s emotional dam bursts and she sobs through the chorus.
Meena stops the music.
Sing 72.
Buster approaches the stage with caution.
She shakes her head, inadvertently tossing QUILLS into Buster’s face before running off stage.
JOHNNY DRIVES LIKE A MANIAC. He runs a red light and causes cars to swerve out of his way.
In the wings, ROSITA COMFORTS ASH who blows her nose.
Rosita hands over her BAG to Ash.
Sing 73.
JOHNNY RUSHES IN OUT OF BREATH.
But Gunter is already on stage.
Gunter sees Rosita still in the wings and, laughing, urges her to join.
ROSITA TRIPS and FALLS on her FACE! Meena stops the music.
JOHNNY RUSHES ON STAGE WITH THE PIANO and plays VERY FAST. IN THE WINGS WITH THE CAST: Rosita RUBS HER SORE NOSE.
Sing 74.
Rosita turns to see MEENA AND ASH AWKWARDLY NOD in agreement.
Rosita exits.
The rest of the cast calls after Rosita as well.
Rosita rushes out of the theatre.
Rosita turns to see Mike peeping out from behind the door.
Sing 75.
Mike strolls off leaving Rosita lost for words.
ON JOHNNY FINISHING HIS SONG (HIS FINAL PERFORMANCE SONG.)
Buster looks up to see Johnny has gone.
JOHNNY’S VAN turns a corner and SLAMS ON THE BRAKES to avoid hitting a stationary CAR.
A quick glance out of the window confirms HE’S IN A JAM. He tries to reverse but a truck has already blocked him in.
Sing 76.
A BAG of gold rises out of a manhole followed by BIG DADDY.
But Big Daddy finds the gang do not share his euphoria.
SIRENS WAIL.
THE GANG run. A COP car chases them.
BIG DADDY SHUNTS A DUMPSTER INTO THE COP CAR - SMASH - BUT TURNS A CORNER TO FIND HE IS SURROUNDED BY COP CARS.
JOHNNY hammers his horn but it’s futile. He checks his watch and his head drops with the weight of having failed his dad.
Ash sits alone strumming her guitar. Her floor littered in torn photos and posters of her and Lance.
Ash amends her lyrics and tries again. She plays beautifully.
Sing 77.
Prisoners wearing orange overalls meet with their visitors. We catch glimpses of their conversations...
We arrive at BIG DADDY being visited by JOHNNY.
Looking his father in the eye makes it impossible to lie.
Sing 78.
BIG DADDY’S anger boils into disgust.
BIG DADDY THUMPS the desk and the whole room is silenced.
BIG DADDY slams down the phone and rises from his chair.
But Big Daddy cannot hear him through the glass partition.
Miss Crawly busies herself in her room, and exits just as--
-- JOHNNY climbs through Buster’s window WEARING THE RABBIT MASK. HE PICKS UP THE CHEST and is about to steal away with it when he looks down at the desk and sees PHOTOGRAPHIC HEAD SHOTS of the entire cast. Their smiling faces stop Johnny in his tracks. Johnny has a painful decision to make. He hesitates...
Miss Crawly re-enters her office, unaware of Johnny’s presence.
Sing 79.
In a wide shot we see Johnny practicing with Miss Crawly. The prize money chest right back where it was.
We find Rosita alone in the aisle of a vast supermarket wearily filling a shopping trolley.
A Spanish language version of the Gipsy Kings’ “Bamboleo” plays on the loud speaker. Rosita is unaware her fingers are tapping in time with the music. The music begins to take her over. Rosita dances, just a little at first but gradually showing more and more confidence.
SECURITY ROOM: We see the back of the security guard lean in to get a better look at his screen: ROSITA IS DANCING IN ONE OF THE AISLES. The guard reaches out and turns up the music.
Rosita is really going for it now - spinning along the frozen food section that spills icy fog across the floor. She grabs her trolley as if it were her dance partner, runs and leaps into the air - sailing and spinning all the way to the end of the aisle. THE TRIUMPHANT MOMENT IS SUDDENLY BROKEN BY...
Rosita looks around - suddenly flushed with embarrassment.
Applause echoes through the P.A. system. Rosita realizes the security cameras are watching and though flustered, she takes a bow.
Sing 80.
It’s dark. Meena climbs a ladder to the roof.
Buster attaches a very large pipe on the water tower valve.
Meena turns a huge wheel and Buster’s pipe expands as it fills with water from the tower. Jets of water spray everywhere. Buster shrieks. Meena giggles.
MEENA pulls on a rope to raise Buster a large pipe above the stage. Buster flips down his visor and starts welding.
MEENA listens to her headphones as she sucks the glass out of the Moon Theatre windows and stacks it in piles with her trunk.
JOHNNY and MISS CRAWLY are too consumed with practicing to notice Meena taking out the windows.
Buster and Meena put a “Squid Wanted” sign in the window of Les Calmars.
The Waiter CHASES them away.
Sing 81.
The SQUIDS exchange an excited look.
Buster and Meena lay the LAST PIECES OF GLASS ON STAGE and step back to admire their handy work. Meena turns a faucet on and WATER pours into the newly-crafted glass tank.
Norman sleepily follows his daily routine...
He slips on a TOY BALL, which goes flying into the gears of Rosita’s contraption.
THE ENTIRE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS.
Norman jumps back but he is covered in milk and cereal.
Kids roar with laughter as Norman falls back into the kitchen sink. The scrubbing brush contraption HITS him in the face. A plunger suctions to the top of his head, and plops him on the table.
The machine LIFTS Norman and the piglets up in the tablecloth and out of the kitchen.
JOHNNY finishes practicing at the piano. He’s exhausted.
Sing 82.
He turns to see Miss Crawly snoring away on a chair. BLAM! The door flies open to reveal MEENA.
Miss Crawly falls out of her chair and on to the floor.
ASH’S eyes are closed as finishes up singing HER OWN SONG.
Ash opens her eyes to find Buster looking shocked.
Ash lights up. BUSTER turns to give orders to the cast.
Mike exits the scene.
Sing 83.
ROSITA arrives late and rushes into the scene carrying the song list.
JOHNNY looks up from a newspaper: his dad is front page news.
Sing 84.
NANA’S CAR pulls up. Hobbs opens the door for NANA. Nana regards the building - it’s been a long time... BUSTER BURSTS THROUGH THE DOORS.
Eddie offers his arm.
Nana walks in alone leaving Eddie and Buster for a moment.
We suddenly see a crack in Buster’s bravado.
Sing 85.
As they exit shot,WE SEE A 4X4 TRUCK SKID TO A STOP.IT’S THE THREE BEARS. They regard MIKE’S GOLD CAR.
EDDIE and NANA take their seats as Miss Crawly offers tea.
Miss Crawly accidentally SNEEZES, splashing tea over Nana.
BELL RINGS OVER: Mike pacing the theatre steps on his phone.
Mike is grabbed and lifted up by BOSS BEAR.
The BEAR opens his enormous jaws and lowers Mike into mouth.
Sing 86.
The BEAR raises Mike to hear him out.
MEENA cues “Flashing Lights” by Kanye West. Miss Crawly points a spotlight at Buster who descends on the MOON.
The Moon slips but Meena quickly regains control.
HUNDREDS OF SQUID SUDDENLY LIGHT UP THE UNDERWATER STAGE as the beat of “Flashing Lights” kicks in.
It’s like liquid fireworks. The squid move and change colour in perfect synchronisation with the music. A dazzling sight.
Buster dances and the squid trace his steps.
Sing 87.
--BANG! The auditorium door flies open revealing 3 BEARS.
The BEAR holds up MIKE BY THE THROAT. The cast gasp.
The BEAR squeezes MIKE.
Sing 88.
BOSS BEAR tosses BUSTER aside and raises his BASEBALL BAT.
BOSS BEAR SMASHES THE CHEST! A cloud of dust rises.
As dust settles Mike runs into the debris.
The cast move closer to see... only BROKEN JUNK inside.
The cast quickly advances on him, upset.
Sing 89.
They are too consumed with their conflict to see a CRACK APPEAR IN THE GLASS STAGE.
The squid all blink RED.
BOOM! The entire glass stage EXPLODES, sucking EVERYONE down in a TIDAL WAVE FILLED WITH MULTICOLOURED SQUID.
THE WAVE carries the cast through the stalls.
It SMASHES into the wooden pillars supporting the dress circle, causing them to splinter and buckle. The water valve breaks and water explodes out of it.
WATER explodes out of the auditorium and rushes like a waterfall down the foyer steps towards the EXIT. MEENA is travelling backwards on the wave when her great bulk PLUGS THE EXIT DOORS. The water quickly rises around her.
As the water flows out from the AUDITORIUM into the foyer, Eddie leads Nana from the Royal box. He sees Buster clinging to the balcony of the dress circle above him. But the balcony starts to collapse.
Sing 90.
The pillars break, forcing Eddie to lead Nana out to safety.
Buster clambers over the collapsing seats to safety.
ON MEENA who still cannot budge and her trunk is barely above the water level. The structural beams and light fixtures drop into the water, fizzing and hissing like snakes.
Buster runs into his office, grips the window sill and reassures the theatre.
UNDERWATER: Johnny pushes Meena free. MEENA SHOOTS OUT LIKE A CHAMPAGNE CORK ON A WAVE OF WATER AND ANIMALS.
ON MIKE being washed down the drain into the sewer.
BUSTER runs out into the street. The cast cough and sputter as they get to their feet.
We find NANA disheveled as EDDIE helps her into her car. She stops to address Buster but her fury is so intense that words fail her. Her vicious glare says it all.
The car door *SLAMS and Nana is driven away.
--A GREAT THUNDEROUS ROAR brings THE SPLUTTERING CAST rising from the wreckage with horrified expressions...
Sing 91.
No one responds - they are all transfixed by what lies behind him. Buster turns to see...
... His beloved theatre reduced to a pile of rubble. “Golden Slumbers” begins to play.
With utter disbelief on his face, Buster stumbles through the wreckage until he finds his father’s bucket. The symbolism of the bucket brings Buster to his knees.
Though Miss Crawly puts her arm around his shoulders, it’s not enough to stop Buster from crying his heart out.
...IN THE SEWER: MIKE shivers against the sewer wall.
Mike can see the BEARS through the drain hole above.
Rosita (wrapped in a blanket) trudges up to the house... When CRIES FOR HELP draw her attention up to see --
-- HER FAMILY hung out to dry on the washing line.
Sing 92.
MEENA is cradled by her MOTHER and GRANDMOTHER. GRANDPA drinks a cup of cocoa as they watch TV.
JOHNNY waits anxiously opposite the only EMPTY CUBICLE.
Big Daddy sits alone and brooding in his cell.
ASH walks alone until a FAMILIAR TUNE catches her attention. She looks through the window of a bar to see: LANCE AND BECKY performing on stage.
She quickly turns away - devastated.
BUSTER loads his few remaining possessions, including the old photo, into his father’s bucket. The sound of hammering draws his attention to--
-- JUDITH hammering a sign into the ground:PROPERTY OF SFJ BANK. Buster loads his bucket and walks away as... DOZERS ARRIVE TO CLEAR THE SITE OF RUBBLE.
BUSTER is wearing one of Eddie’s over-sized T-shirts and watches the TV on an inflatable raft in Eddie’s poolhouse.
Sing 93.
Eddie snores loudly on the sofa bed behind him. Discarded pizza boxes and clothes litter the floor.
There is a 1-2-3 KNOCK. It’s coming from the poolhouse doors, but the blinds are drawn.
Eddie snores. Another 1-2-3 KNOCKturns Buster’s head to see the distinctive SILHOUETTES OF THE CAST AGAINST THE WINDOW. Buster turns the TV off.
Buster stands - concerned there will be conflict.
Buster sheepishly opens the door.
Sing 94.
They all agree.
Buster lifts a crumpled newspaper from the floor: He’s headline news.
He makes to close the door but Johnny pulls it open.
Sing 95.
The group agree.
Buster tugs and succeeds in CLOSING THE DOOR.
Buster lays on his air bed. A beat passes.
Buster looks up to see Meena peering around the open door.
Buster leaps to his feet - his shame boiling into anger.
Sing 96.
Silence. Meena is stung by his words.
Meena is stung by his words, throws down the cake tin and exits.
Meena puts on her headphones and loses herself in the music.
Sing 97.
Meena finds herself back at the theatre wreck. The tree she had kicked after failing her audition stands bare and the place that had once been a theatre is now cleared of rubble.
EDDIE is woken by his cell phone ringing (”Wake Me Up Before You Go-go” by Wham!) He fumbles sleepily before finding his phone.
Eddie looks around to see that Buster has gone.
Tilt down from a street sign: DINSDALE AND LEMINGTON... To see Eddie pull up in his CAR in front of... BUSTER and MISS CRAWLY standing by the traffic lights of a busy intersection with a sign saying:MOON’S CAR WASH.
Sing 98.
Eddie hands him the Speedo.
A CAR pulls up beside them and the driver honks his horn.
Buster strips.
Reveal Buster wearing only a Speedo and goggles.
Miss Crawly hurls a bucket of soapy water over BUSTER.
Buster takes a run at the car...
INSIDE CAR: Buster landsSPLAT on the windscreen and starts scrubbing with his entire body.
ON Eddie getting back into his own car... but Eddie is so upset to see Buster this way, he doesn’t start the engine.
Sing 99.
The driver pulls away. Buster rolls off the hood and on to the sidewalk. For a moment he just lays there in a puddle. ANOTHER CAR pulls in and HONKS its horn.
Eddie strips down to his boxers. ON BUSTER: His heart fit to burst - but the poignant moment is suddenly undercut when he is doused in soapy water.
Buster runs and jumps at the car. QUICK SHOTS: Buster, Eddie and Miss Crawly WORK HARD. Miss Crawly flings a bucket of water. Buster slides over the hood while frantically scrubbing with his body. Eddie buffs the glass. SHOT AFTER SHOT CAPTURES MOMENTS THROUGHOUT THEIR DAY OF HARD WORK ENDING ON Buster scrubbing a filthy windscreen with all his might when the faint sound of singing catches his attention.
The singer is nowhere to be seen. Buster resumes the task at hand but once again the voice is carried to him on the breeze.
Buster stops scrubbing and follows the voice across the street...
... To the base of the hill atop which sits THE WRECK OF THE THEATRE.
Sing 100.
The voice soars with emotion and draws Buster up the hill towards the wreck.
Buster peers over the crest of the hill to find MEENA singing with all her heart.
Meena BREAKS OFF at the sight of BUSTER STANDING NEXT TO HER. A moment passes between them...
ROSITA is on the phone - filled with excitement while holding a PIGLET. “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie begins to play.
CLOSE UP ON NORMAN who wakes with a start as Rosita (still on the phone) dumps the piglet on his chest.
QUICK SHOTS:
Sing 101.
GANG HQ: JOHNNY listlessly punches a speed bag. His phone rings.
Johnny hops on his skateboard, and heads towards the theatre.
TV SCREEN: A reporter talks straight to camera holding and quoting a newspaper.
ASH rushes out of a subway train and down the steps.
GUNTER skips past folks in the street.
MISS CRAWLY pastes up posters... No one takes any notice... except for the Rhino whose back she accidentally pastes a poster on to!
TIME PASSES OVER THE FOLLOWING:
The cast look over blueprints... JOHNNY uses his truck and a tow rope to pull the presidium arch back into position... ROSITA hangs the curtain in position...
BUSTER and EDDIE drape fairy lights... MEENA lays out benches and chairs... GUNTER paints a washing machine prop... ASH AND EDDIE nail the rafters together... ROSITA and GUNTER practice their spin... Johnny practices his piano piece...
Sing 102.
BUSTER and MEENA drill the MOON back together... Ash rocks out with her guitar... JOHNNY pulls a rope to lift a column... Meena smiles at herself in the mirror...
... THE PLACE BEGINS TO RESEMBLE A RAMSHACKLE BUT CHARMING OUTDOOR THEATRE ON A SUMMER’S NIGHT.
Buster hangs his OLD PHOTO on the wall. The frame is broken, but the image still brings a smile to his face.
BUSTER throws a switch and the stage lights flicker into life.
Buster marches backstage with Mike at his heels.
Buster walks away.
MISS CRAWLY stands in front of the theatre yelling into a bullhorn and harassing pedestrians.
Sing 103.
BUSTER approaches Meena and Eddie at the mixing desk.
BUSTER peers out into the auditorium to see only MEENA’S FAMILY, NORMAN and the unruly PIGLETS.
Buster exits and ROSITA takes a peek.
ON TV NEWS REPORTER.
The house lights dim.
Sing 104.
ON BUSTER addressing the entire cast from atop a sandbag.
Eddie *SHOOTS BUSTER UP TO THE RAFTERS ON A SANDBAG.
Buster balances himself on the rafters - the roof is missing but what the heck! Buster tip-toes over to the CRESCENT MOON. He takes a deep breath.
Eddie cues “Flashing Lights” by Kanye West and Buster descends on the crescent moon.
The Piglets and the News Anchor laugh at BUSTER WHO IS FACING THE WRONG WAY.
Sing 105.
ROSITA AND GUNTER BACKSTAGE. Gunter takes deep breaths and Rosita bounces on her toes: a boxer about to enter the ring.
Rosita picks up A HUGE PILE OF LAUNDRY.
EDDIE cues “SHAKE IT OFF” by Taylor Swift. Gunter rushes out of sight.
STAGE: CURTAIN OPENS TO REVEAL A CARDBOARD KITCHEN SET AND ROSITA CARRYING THE GIGANTIC PILE OF LAUNDRY.
Rosita pulls laundry from the washing machine and reveals GUNTER’S FACE!
ROSITA JUMPS BACK IN MOCK SURPRISE.
The PIGLETS clearly find this ridiculous and Buster appears concerned. GUNTER stands up and takes Rosita’s hand.
Sing 106.
Rosita accepts Gunter as her dance partner and away they go!
ON THE TV REPORTER LAUGHING:
ON ROSITA and GUNTER.
Rosita disappears behind a washing line. Her silhouette against sheets blowing in the wind.
ON EDDIE IN THE WINGS reading from the cue sheet:
BAM! Rosita rips through the sheets to reveal her stunning SEQUINNED SHOWGIRL COSTUME - reflecting light like a mirrorball. Norman and the piglets’ jaws fall open. Awesome! The track transforms into a dubstep version of the original.
THUNDER STRIKES! THE TRACK STOPS! Gunter rips off his cardboard washing machine costume.
The original track kicks back in!
GUNTER & ROSITA CAUSE THE PLAYERS GONNA PLAY, PLAY, PLAY, PLAY, PLAY, PLAY. AND THE HATERS GONNA HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, BABY I’M JUST GONNA SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE IT OFF.
The song breaks down: Rosita runs, leaps - and LANDS IN HIS RAISED HANDS. SPECTACULAR!!!
Sing 107.
MIKE is buffeted by crowds gathering around a TV store window. Mike pushes to the front of the crowd to see they are watching ROSITA AND GUNTER on the live news broadcast. The crowd dance along with the music.
The crowd laugh.
Mike marches off.
BACK ON ROSITA AND GUNTER who are AWESOME!!
GUNTER & ROSITA I’M JUST GONNA SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE IT OFF, SHAKE IT OFF.
The PIGLETS rush the stage and Rosita.
Norman wakes as if from a trance, rushes to the stage and SWEEPS ROSITA OFF HER FEET AND KISSES HER PASSIONATELY.
Sing 108.
The PIGLETS swamp them both. The audience are in hysterics. Eddie LOWERS the curtain but one of the piglets pops through.
ON THE NEWS REPORTER as crowds of animals surge past him.
Rosita’s kids all go to hug Buster.
Johnny takes a deep breath and begins to play the keyboard intro to “I’M STILL STANDING” by Elton John. And Johnny is wonderful.
Prisoners in a shared cell watch the show on TV. From a bench at the back of the cell, BIG DADDY raises his weary head to see the gang responding to the music on coming from the TV.
Sing 109.
Big Daddy’s curiosity lifts him from his bench --
-- And through the bunch of prisoners to see Johnny performing on TV.
ON SCREEN: Johnny looks right at camera/at his father.
At first we can’t tell if BIG DADDY is angry.
His eyes glisten as if seeing his son for the first time.
Hearing himself say those words catches him off guard.
Big Daddy looks around the cell with a sense of urgency before settling on the small barred window.
Big Daddy leaps up and swings on a ceiling pipe. His feet slam into the barred window - BANG!
Sing 110.
The RHINO POLICE are watching the same TV show when the ENTIRE ROOM SHAKES - BANG! BANG!
POLICE RHINOS arrive at the cell.
BANG! Big Daddy smashes the bars out of the window and leaps through the hole. THE GANG CHEER.
Big Daddy lands on the roof of a passing BUS before leaping on to the roof of a building.
Big Daddy runs across the rooftops and into the distance.
STAGE: JOHNNY is magnificent.
DETAILED shots of ASH getting ready: Combing her quills into a Mohawk. Lipstick applied. Tying her boots...
Sing 111.
STAGE: JOHNNY wraps it up - spent from pouring his heart out.
The audience goes wild.
But the victory is a hollow one for Johnny.
Johnny finds a place to sit and think about...
... Big Daddy who is caught in the glare of police chopper searchlights as he leaps across the rooftops.
Sing 112.
The cast stare open-mouthed as ASH walks by: a technicolour punk porcupine carrying her guitar. Eddie cues the music.
Everyone applauds but just as the music starts there is a squeal of feedback and THE MUSIC STOPS DEAD.
Everyone backstage turns to see...
... JUDITH has pulled the plug.
ON STAGE there is an awkward silence but Ash remains determined to sing her own song. She stomps her right foot on the stage. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! And in no time at all, ASH HAS THE ENTIRE THEATRE STOMPING ALONG WITH HER. Buster can only watch in awe... Now she has a beat and it’s all she needs to start her own song, “Set It All Free.”
Sing 113.
Judith marches away.
ON ASH who responds to a tug on her guitar lead and turns to see Buster holding the end of it.
Buster bows before plugging her guitar back in. Her guitar screams into life. The rest of the cast gasp and the crowd leap to their feet as ASH rocks out.
BECKY turns off the TV NEWS. LANCE sits stunned beside her.
Becky tosses the remote aside and leaves the room disgusted.
Becky exits. Lance waits for a second before SWITCHING THE TV BACK ON.
Sing 114.
Ash finishes up in spectacular style: getting carried away with AN ABSOLUTELY KILLER GUITAR SOLO.
Buster is spellbound by Ash’s performance and remains oblivious to the quills flying past him. Her quills fly like arrows past the audience and even stick into the odd nose or forehead.
Ash finishes with an impressive knee slide.
Silence. Ash tentatively opens her eyes to find the audience have hidden behind their seats. She slowly gets to her feet.
THE AUDIENCE ERUPTS WITH APPLAUSE. Q-TEEZ run up to the stage, giggling and cheering.
Ash’s surprise turns to delight. Buster walks on stage in a state of bewilderment - UNAWARE OF QUILLS STICKING OUT OF HIS HEAD.
She pulls out a quill.
Sing 115.
BIG DADDY escapes the chopper searchlights by hiding behind an air conditioning unit. Once in the clear, Big Daddy peers out and is delighted to see...
... He is across the street from the theatre.
BACKSTAGE: the cast are complimenting ASH as MIKE walks past.
Mike takes to the stage to warm applause and begins singing “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.
The nightclub bar is crammed with animals watching the TV. The 3 BEARS recognize MIKE and gag on their drinks.
The BEARS pass THE FEMALE MOUSE who is sitting lonely at the bar. She looks up to see MIKE singing on TV, looking worried.
Sing 116.
Mike is really going for it.
Big daddy drops down into a dressing room, and pokes his head out. He catches sight of Johnny, and throws a pebble at his head to get his attention. They hug each other tightly.
The sound of a helicopter is too close for comfort. Big Daddy sees it.
The audience is transfixed.
Sing 117.
The BEARS speed toward the theatre to catch Mike. We see MIKE’S GIRLFRIEND speeding behind him in his RED SPORTSCAR.
The exiting choppers cause Mike to be whipped out of sight. The audience gasp - fearing Mike to be lost... BUT MIKE SWINGS BACK IN ON HIS MICROPHONE LIKE TARZAN.
The audience are on their feet. The first standing ovation.
The animals watching the TV wipe the tears from their eyes.
Mike basks in the glory.
BIG DADDY turns to JOHNNY.
Sing 118.
Big Daddy begins to scale a wall. He turns back to Johnny, and smiles.
The BEARS pull up outside the theatre. Trouble is brewing...
Buster rushes on stage.
The crowd applaud but MEENA is not in the wings.
Eddie shrugs.
BACKSTAGE:
BUSTER rushes to the changing room. Buster opens the curtain and reveals MEENA in a BEAUTIFUL dress.
Buster reaches out to her.
Sing 119.
Her hand is enormous in his tiny paw. They exit frame.
Buster walks Meena to the stage like the father of the bride. The impatient audience is louder than ever.
Meena looks at Buster.
The place is PACKED!
MEENA knocks over the mic stand and it hits an animal in the front row. “OUCH!”
ON MIKE:
Meena is terrified.
She turns to Buster and he smiles, throws his arms open wide and says...
Sing 120.
And with a very timid voice, she begins to sing “DON’T YOU WORRY ‘BOUT A THING” by Stevie Wonder acappella.
Meena’s family are on tenterhooks.
Mike rushes back to the wings to see Meena for himself.
On stage, the beat kicks in and MEENA SOARS!
The audience whoops with delight! MIKE is loving this just as much as the rest of the cast.
Suddenly, the BEARS GRAB MIKE!
They carry him offstage and out the door.
BOSS BEAR holds Mike by the collar.
Sing 121.
GULP! BOSS BEAR swallows Mike whole and smiles - satiated.
But he’s promptly HIT in the STOMACH by a CAR DOOR--Mike tumbles out of BOSS BEARS mouth and looks up to see... his RED SPORTS CAR come skidding to a stop. And the driver is none other than his girlfriend. She winks.
MIKE leaps into the car.
THE CAR ROARS AWAY, as one bear clings to the back.
MEENA’S exuberant performance not only has the audience on their feet but the ENTIRE STAGE IS ROCKING.
THE BACK WALL FALLS AWAY REVEALING THE CITY LIT UP BELOW. It’s perfectly in sync with a musical crescendo. The crowd explode with applause. Meena pauses briefly before taking ownership of the moment.
Sing 122.
Meena’s family and the singers from the auditions dance and sing along.
The entire place erupts with applause. Grandpa is crying with joy and nudging the animal beside him.
MEENA’S MOTHER MEEEEENAAAAA!
The cast rushes to the stage to take their bow. Buster delights in the scene.
He hears a piercing whistle, and looks out at the crowd to see the whistle comes from...
...Nana Noodleman. She is the only member of the audience looking right at him. She smiles, plucks one of Ash’s quills from her hair and applauds Buster. He bows to her and when he stands he is the proudest and happiest koala you ever saw.
152 MONTAGE: 152
The theatre property has been sold to Nana. Buster hugs her, then Eddie. SO BEGINS A SPECTACULAR TIME LAPSE SEQUENCE OF THE THEATRE BEING REBUILT AROUND THEM. BRICKS, COLUMNS, SEATS AND WALLS ASSEMBLING MAGICALLY TO FORM...
... THE NEW MOON THEATRE in all its glory.
On the front steps we find BUSTER, JUDITH, EDDIE, NANA, MISS CRAWLY and the REST OF THE CAST AND THEIR FAMILIES gathered to cut the ribbon.
Sing 123.
The animals cheer. Buster cuts the ribbon. The camera flashes and the image FREEZES ON THE HAPPIEST GROUP OF ANIMALS YOU’VE EVER SEEN.