Reach For The Sky

Content details

(Scroll down for song samples, characters and plot summary)

With the underlying message that if we try our best in all we do then our rewards will be plentiful, this popular musical takes a cheeky look at those ‘sporty’ and PE-based experiences we have at primary school! We all remember rummaging through lost-property to find some kit for a PE lesson, those over-eager dads competing in the parents' race on sports day, the frustration of trying to get that rubber swimming hat on, the thrill of being picked for the team.......and lots more!

Songs include

Reach For The Sky Can I Borrow Some Shorts? Boy, That’s Bound To Itch My Dad’s Faster Than Your Dad

Swimming Today Left Till Last The Best That I Can Be

Photographs

Photographs taken from the rehearsal of Edgy Productions' 'Reach For The Sky' by New Youth Theatre (Leicester). View photographs

Samples

Sample piano score (PDF)

Sample script (PDF)

Characters

Speaking parts in order of appearance

• Adam, Lucy, Mum & Dad - enthusiastically preparing for sports day.
• Miss Burberry – dressed to impress, but not to teach PE.
• Her Class (7 speaking) – kitted-out in all manner of ways.
• Mr Starkey – his methods are as ancient as the Greek history he teaches.
• His Class (6 speaking) – trying to drag him into the 21st century.
• Mrs Christie – in charge of making sports day run smoothly.
• 2 Mums & 2 Dads – reluctant competitors in the parents’ race.
• Competitive Dad – in it to win it.
• Grandma – never too old to have a go.
• 2 Swimming Instructors – thrown in at the deep end.
• Swimmers (6 speaking) – causing a splash and making waves.
• Playtime Players (4 speaking) – picked for teams on everything but merit.

Ensemble Characters – for featured songs and choreography

• PE-kitted Children
• Classroom Kids
• Sports Day Mums & Dads
• Swimmers
• Playtime Players

Plot summary

Following the opening song (Reach For the Sky), we join a family at the breakfast table. Lucy and Adam are excited because today at school it’s sports day! Mum and Dad are equally excited about the prospect of watching their children take part and the conversation turns to all the sporting opportunities that school provides. Through this conversation we witness some truly amusing snapshots of primary school life and learn that there’s more to being a winner than simply crossing the finish line first!

Firstly we encounter the glamorous Miss Burberry, who is keen to point out to her class that their interpretation of the word ‘kit’ leaves a lot to be desired! Maybe a rummage through lost-property is the answer… or maybe not! (song – Can I Borrow Some Shorts?). Next we join Mr Starkey who is boring his class to tears, lecturing them on the historical facts of Ancient Greece. However, following a bit of independent research, the children’s discovery of certain ‘traditions’ from the ancient Olympic games are more than enough to lighten the mood! (song – Boy, That’s Bound To Itch). We then consider the ‘big event’ at any school sports day – the parents’ race! It quickly becomes apparent that, when grown ups are required to push themselves to their physical limits, a keen competitive spirit may not be quite enough to overcome the effects of age! (song – My Dad’s Faster Than Your Dad). After that it’s a trip to the swimming pool, where even those ill-fitting rubber hats, UFOs (unidentified floating objects) and water-shy lifeguards can’t spoil the excitement! (song – Swimming Today). Then there’s the horror of lining up against the wall in the playground, waiting to be picked for one team or the other in the playtime ‘kick-about’! Who will have to suffer the humiliation of being picked last!? (song – Left Till Last).

We come to the conclusion that sport can be enjoyed on many levels, and that by simply taking part and trying our best, each one of us is a winner. By giving it our all in everything we do, by making the most of our opportunities, and by supporting those around us, there is no limit to what each of us can achieve! (song – The Best That I Can Be).